April 21, 2011

Swim with Caution

Perhaps it's the fact that I was raised up north, where the most vicious creature you'll find in a lake is a sunfish or a turtle, but sights like this in Florida continue to perplex me.   Lake Osprey, located in Oscar Scherer State Park in Sarasota, is clearly labelled as being an area that alligators like to frequent.  And, yet, look at all those adults and children frolicking in the lake last weekend!   What the heck?!   I have a healthy respect for those rapacious reptiles and wouldn't dip my big toe in a lake that was known to be their habitat.  Just looking at this picture, I'm getting creeped out.  I don't get it.  Not at all.  

11 comments:

Ernie said...

I meant to shoot you a note about the Earth Day festivities at Oscar Scherer last weekend, but I guess I needn't have worried. I've never seen a gator in there, but I guess stranger things have happened.

PS-The picture isn't showing up, but I know what it looks like. :)

SRQ said...

Thanks for letting me know....darn Blogger! Fortunately, I went there Saturday. When I was there, I saw the signs advertising free admission for Earth Day and figured it would be too busy for me.

Jim Klenke said...

HAHA, you wouldnt catch me in the water, or sun bathing.

Birdman said...

Yikes! I'll swim at yesterday's beach, thank you.

Lowell said...

I tend to agree with you. And it seems that every year someone gets into a fracas with an alligator and comes out much the worse for wear if at all!

But they only eat once a month, so don't worry. :-)

Meant to tell you I really like that header photo!

Lois said...

That is so cool that we posted similar signs today! Having been raised in Florida, I would probably go swimming there too. When I was growing up, we swam in many ponds and rivers and it was not uncommon to see alligators and snakes. Once we even saw a Florida panther near a pond we swam in behind my grandmother's house.

Dina said...

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Then the alligator gets killed because someone was swimming in his home. Or maybe all those people can't read.

Jack said...

SRQ, did Lois and you coordinate today? As I said on her blog, I think these signs are required by the lawyers (and insurers). "We warned you."

Dr. Moxie Awesome said...

I grew up in Polk County, where alligators abound. I've been swimming in a number of lakes of the Chain of Lakes and have even been chased by a gator. They're nothing to mess with but I love them still.

When I moved down here it was hard for me get out of the mindset that I need to be cautious around every single body of water. It's a weird feeling. I'm somehow comforted that there are gators in these parts.

Kathy said...

I think it's human nature to taunt danger. Not me!

Leeds daily photo said...

Interesting take on the idea that you can swim with caution in a lake that is home to alligators. Me I am as brave as the next fellow, but I would quite happily let the gators have the lake.