January 10, 2018

Sunbathing

Sunbathing

The last two times I've visited Six Mile Cypress Slough I've spotted an alligator sunbathing on this raft in the middle of a lake.  (I love how its tail is hanging over the edge in this shot.)  No threat to us humans -- no one should be swimming here since this is a nature preserve. And, a glorious one it is! I thought the preserve was fairly new but it turns out voters in Lee County approved the purchase of the property back in the 1970s. What's especially interesting is how it got on the ballot. A group of high school students in an environmental class used to take field trips here. They were concerned future construction would destroy the wetlands and wildlife, so they were proactive and set out to save this slice of old Florida.  They gathered enough signatures to place a referendum on the ballot in 1976 asking voters to increase taxes to fund the purchase and preservation of the property. The measure passed (thankfully).  Great place...great, inspiring story!

8 comments:

Lowell said...

A very cool story as to how sometimes people can make a difference in our corrupt political system. And I love the photo, especially the light on the raft and gator!

Nancy J said...

How students together can make a huge difference, well done.He is looking so comfortable there, so glad no swimming is the rule there.

Andy said...

Nice to hear the environment won.

William Kendall said...

Hello, beastie! I imagine they placed this deliberately for the gators to be able to do that.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

What a great story SRQ, so good to hear young people getting involved in protecting their environment! A sunbathing alligator, well why not 😀😀

Bill said...

What a wonderful background story. The alligator looks like he's smiling and enjoying the warmth of the sun. Excellent photo!

Kay said...

That's a terrific success story. And that alligator actually looks like it's blissed out lying there. Happy new year!

Brian King said...

That's cool! Not something we get to see here.