Flashing Blue Lights Outside my window...

[JoanM]

It's a bit overcast here today and raining lightly. I was talking on the phone and noticed blue flashing lights on a car moving across my field of vision out the picture window in our livingroom. The curtains were closed yet I knew this was strange because there isn't a road out that window...so...I grabbed my camera and opened the curtains to see this

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/jgmaute/jimb/DSC02183.jpg

WTF? I grabbed my better camera and went out on the deck to see this

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/jgmaute/jimb/IMG_0441.jpg

Oh, now it makes sense. This ole gator makes the trip down the fairway about this time each year. It's mating season and I think he's lookin' for love in all the wrong places...but this time he had an escort!

For those who want a closer look, I used the zoom and...

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/jgmaute/jimb/IMG_0442.jpg

And yes, he's a big guy; at least 16' in length. Hey, do I know how to have fun or what? jm

[Elliott]

Hey, Dr. J.,

Remember when I said I wanted to come and visit you. Well, it turns out I'm really, really busy that day. Was that dude wearing shoes? If he was, please get them and send them to me. I hear they taste like chicken. Love,
e

[Oak Kitten]

Oh, now it makes sense. This ole gator makes the trip down the fairway about this time each year. It's mating season and I think he's lookin' for love in all the wrong places...but this time he had an escort!

And yes, he's a big guy; at least 16' in length. Hey, do I know how to have fun or what? jm

Joan,

I know he's a 'gator not a croc, but this episode reminds me of a certain song of which you may have heard. . .

Perhaps you should change your name to "Annie Mae"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBfZlVOgnuA

Oak

[Greener]

Good God almighty.......ain't it amazing what a love can do.

[DaveM]

Could that be a RudieGator?

[Amy in Vermont]

That is one f***ing big ass gator!

This is confirmation that I do love living in Vermont!

[Sara]

Could that be a RudieGator?
Only if he's looking for food! :D

[Ginny]

That is one f***ing big ass gator!

I"m agreeing with Amy!

[Ginny]

Hey, Dr. J.,

Remember when I said I wanted to come and visit you. Well, it turns out I'm really, really busy that day.

LOL - Yer funny Elliott!

[razal]

:eek:Fore!!! :eek:

[Mimi]

OMG, Joan... didn't think you have neighbors like this guy....

Mimi ;-)

[JoanM]

OMG, Joan... didn't think you have neighbors like this guy....Mimi ;-)
Oh yeah, like I said, he makes this trip, during the day, about this time every year. (Most of the time gators travel at night.) Here are some pictures of his trip in 2007, he wasn't escorted and the golfers were really just stupid getting that close to him. (I watched as they drove up from behind, then stopped right next to him, then decided maybe that wasn't such a good idea.) He certainly looks like he's on a mission!
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/jgmaute/jimb/PICT0011.jpghttp://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/jgmaute/jimb/PICT0005-1.jpghttp://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/jgmaute/jimb/PICT0007.jpg

[Marcia Drummergal]

Didn't DaveM have a roommate like that once?

Marcia :D;)

[Dee]

Hey, Dr. J.,

Remember when I said I wanted to come and visit you. Well, it turns out I'm really, really busy that day. Was that dude wearing shoes? If he was, please get them and send them to me. I hear they taste like chicken. Love,
e

LOL I don't know what you're on Elliott, but I could use some this morning.

That is one butt ugly critter! Scary looking too. :eek:

[Mary6906]

All that gator is thinkin' is "I GOTTA HAVE A WOMAN!" on a mission indeed.

[paularoid]

All that gator is thinkin' is "I GOTTA HAVE A WOMAN!" on a mission indeed.
I was on a mission like that once. I ended up in the marriage from hell!

I -did- get two (maybe three) good things out of it though. I got the education of a lifetime :eek:,

..... and custody of my two boys. :D


.

[DaveM]

Marcia, you took the words right out of my mouth.

I have to wonder if somewhere in the virtually endless list of rules for golf, there is a provision for the appropriate action should an alligator eat a golf ball or a player. Is that a penalty? And is the next party allowed to play through?

[JoanM]

Marcia, you took the words right out of my mouth.

I have to wonder if somewhere in the virtually endless list of rules for golf, there is a provision for the appropriate action should an alligator eat a golf ball or a player. Is that a penalty? And is the next party allowed to play through?

Golf Rules: Relief from an Alligator (http://www.thegolfchannel.com/golf-videos/golf-rules-relief-alligator-11884/) of course the alligator they use in the video isn't nearly as cool (or as large) as our locals.

[DaveM]

Truly amazing how many situations are covered by the rules for a Scottish game. I loved the fellow's comment about "....or if you're up north and end up dealing with a rattlesnake".

His definition of "up north" evidently differs considerably from mine.

[hoops]

I'm glad security was their to help this gator find love
peace
hoops

[leslie]

I now remember the 5th reason on my list of why I don't want to live south of the Mason-Dixon line ever again! VERY OVERSIZED CREEPY CRAWLIES! :D

L

[DaveM]

It does say "Security" on the cars, doesn't it? I wonder if "Chaperone" would me more appropriate?

They may look pretty rough on the hoof, but surely they more than make up for it as purses and shoes? And they are edible, as I can personally attest, having eaten alligator once just in case it ever came up in conversation, as it just has. No, it really didn't taste like chicken. Wasn't bad, though....a bit chewy, but I'd take alligator over frog legs any day of the week.

[Puppy lover]

Alligator aside, what a beautiful setting for your home!

[hoops]

reminds me of a night in florida with a bunch of drunk friends a pickup a rope with a fish and a hook and a swamp. we let him go about 3 miles later be he was one unhappy gator
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall....with a low-light camera....


Always remember, folks, if you're down South and someone yells "Hey, lookit this!", duck or run as may be appropriate as you have most likely just heard someone's last words.

[JoanM]

Today Deuce and I were out on the deck and he started growling. I looked at the fairway thinking some golfers were getting too close to his territory...wrongo bucko...another gator, about half the size of last weekend's guy was heading the other way...gee I wonder if it was the object of big guy's attention making her escape. learning never ends...jm

[Eva]

:eek: Eeeeeeek! :eek: Scary... But also beautiful...


I'm glad security was their to help this gator find love
Yes, and to not get any other creature eaten or wounded... :eek:

I thought at first that you were refering to UFO's when you mentioned 'blue lights'. I don't know wich is better... :eek:

Eva

[razal]

At one time, I was making quite a few road trips across Florida, from the east to the west coast and back again. Normally, I like taking the scenic route, that is, the Tamiami Trail. It takes you through the heart of the Everglades. The road is mostly two lanes and while it doesn’t have to be slow going, it is peaceful and meditative, with lots of wildlife to spot along the way. Even given my penchant for driving very fast, I would opt for this road anytime over the six lane super highway that also runs east/west.

However, having made the numerous trips that I had been making and the need to get home quickly, I decided on taking the super highway this time. I was solidly on this highway and flying along as I like to do, already making good time. Fortunately, I had to slow down because I was approaching the toll booth (this was in the days before we had the electronic transponders which allow us to buzz through the toll plazas without stopping).

I say fortunately because in the distance I saw a log in the middle of the road. I had to squint a few times because it looked like the log was moving. As I got closer, I could swear the log had feet and it was walking across the six lane highway! A few seconds later, I swerved to avoid hitting the walking log which of course, turned out to be a big fat gator!

I had no idea the Florida Dept. of Transportation had named the highway based on any real literal significance. I figured they named it what they did because they wanted it to sound cute and appeal to tourists. The name of the highway, you ask? Alligator Alley, of course!!!

[hoops]

razal, you like to drive fast too???? I knew i liked you a lot!
peace
hoops

[razal]

The feeling is mutual, Hoops! :)

[DaveM]

Perhaps he was left at the altar....sigh.

Given the recent discussion of gay guide dogs and the like, does anyone know if the golf course keeps track of its alligators' sexual preference? Certain country club members might well be concerned about such things.....sigh.

[razal]

[QUOTE=DaveM;134702]Perhaps he was left at the altar....sigh.QUOTE]

Actually, Dave, what came into my mind was the proverbial question, "Why did the gator cross the road"? :p

[JoanM]

I just got an email from a neighbor how was tracking the weekend gator way before the blue lights got my attention. Here's what he looked like up close and personal...thanks to a super zoom lens...what a way to start the day, eh? jm
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/jgmaute/jimb/IMG_4558.jpghttp://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/jgmaute/jimb/IMG_4553.jpg

[DaveM]

That sly, come-hither smile....

[hoops]

that's one big boy
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

Okay....why did the alligator cross the golf course?

1. To get to the other water hazard.

2. Because he was hoping to score.

3. Never mind the alligator, why do otherwise normal PEOPLE spend lovely days wandering around golf courses, often while carrying heavy bags of clubs and wearing funny clothes?

[hoops]

I used to love golf, it was like taking a nice walk with something to do every now and then
peace
hoops