Gator vs. Gator

From the time this 13 foot alligator displayed his substantial maw at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, it was clear he was in no mood. Sure, it was Easter Sunday and he was sporting his Easter bonnet comprised of leafy lettuce plants....but nevertheless, Biggie didn't appear inclined to spread any cheer. He seemed antsy, like he wanted to go somewhere. A nearby narrow muddy path connected this lake to another and I suspected he was going to venture there.

So, the entire SDP staff watched and waited for an hour as Biggie slowly plodded his way toward the other lake. Each movement seemed to be a laborious, exhausting exercise but he was determined to get to the other side.  When he arrived, a shot of adrenaline torpedoed him across the lake so fast he very well could have run across it.   He was chasing a smaller male alligator -- a 6 footer.  Naturally, at this captivating moment, my memory card expired and I quickly fumbled to change it.  When I looked up....

...the two gators were running through the cypress forest, fully extended upright on their haunches. What a sight!  A sanctuary volunteer watching the action unfold with us said Biggie is very territorial and doesn't want the little guy to have any fish.   So, the chase was on...deep into the forest replete with Easter bonnet.  It was like watching a tank motor through the woods destroying anything in its path...

...like this log.  You should have heard the KABOOM when Biggie powered over it.

The little guy's strategy, apparently, was to traverse so deep into the woods Biggie eventually would retreat due to sheer fatigue.  At one point, the little one tucked himself under the boardwalk.  In fact, he was so close I could have touched him (had I momentarily lost my mind). Standing above him, I pondered whether the wooden boardwalk would hold up under the extreme weight of two wrestling gators.  Fortunately, it didn't come that.  After venturing about 50 yards into the forest, Biggie gave up and slowly returned to the lake where he proceeded to open his maw one more time and smack it so loudly tourists standing nearby jumped.  I smiled and said to a family visiting from Switzerland, 'Bet you don't see that in Switzerland!'  Their wide eyed response: 'Uh....no!'  Great adventure.  This concludes our tour of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

On a completely different note, you may have heard legendary singer Donna Summer passed away yesterday in Sarasota County.  What a loss.   Several years ago, I saw her in concert here -- what an incredible voice.  At the time she told the audience she had discovered Sarasota.  A couple of weeks later, I heard she bought a house here.  She'll be missed.  While she was known for her disco hits, my personal favorite is her rendition of 'O Holy Night'.   It's fantastic.

Lake Buddies

At first glance it looks like that snowy egret is perched on the tail of a very large alligator going for a ride around Lettuce Lakes at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.  If you look a little closer, though, you can see the bird is actually roosting on a piece of wood while his reptilian friend lounges half submerged in  water, muck and lettuce plants.  Nevertheless, the bird's proximity to the gator seems a bit too close for comfort especially when you hear about the gator's wild antics.  Alligator tale comin' up tomorrow!

Cardinal Couple

Earlier on our tour of Corkscrew Swamp Santuary, I mentioned there are two locations where bird feeders are placed. One is next to the visitor center and the other one is near the pine flatwoods which attracts beautiful cardinals. This is the male with that gorgeous brilliant red. He was hopping on the ground pecking on seed which had fallen. He didn't seem to mind being out and about. His mate, though, was quite skittish.

She popped out of the brush and darted back in repeatedly. She's a nervous little thing, but quite pretty.  I really like the red-orange accents on her wings, tail, and beak.  And, who can resist that cute little red spiked hair?   Although I grew up with cardinals in my neighborhood and my high school mascot was the cardinal, I found this couple to be particularly charming.  It was one of the rare times I've seen a male so close and the first time I've really gotten a good look at a female.  Love this place!

Grey Catbird

While walking through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, I was delighted by the constant sounds filling the air: chirping, buzzing, whistling, cawing, pecking. It was a feast for a nature lover's ears.  (At the time I couldn't help but wonder if some of those soothing CDs with sounds of the rainforest are recorded here.)  One distinctive bird call I heard was emanating from a grey catbird.  It sounds similar to a cat meow. But, they're elusive!  They like to hide in thick shrub and trying to get a decent photo was a challenge. Fortunately, this guy showed himself because he was interested in nibbling on those berries.  I had just enough time to snap one decent shot. Such a loud, pathetic call coming from such a little bird!  This was another bird I'd never seen before.  But, I knew exactly what it was as soon as I heard that telltale meow...er...call.  See why this place is such a treasure?!

Water Moccasin

As much as I enjoy nature walks and taking in the sights and sounds, it's what I don't see that creeps me out. I'm keenly aware there are creatures out there blending into the foliage so well they're basically invisible to me. Take this water moccasin at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary for example. I strolled right by it several times oblivious to its presence as I concentrated on the pretty songbirds flitting to and fro. An Audubon Society volunteer passing by asked if I'd seen the snake. Snake?! What snake?! Even when he pointed directly at it, I didn't see for a moment. This is why one stays on the boardwalk!  Later during our virtual tour, I'll show you another reason why you shouldn't leave the safety of the boardwalk.  (Think big maws in the big sanctuary.)

Sanctuary Stroll

This is a portion of the wooden boardwalk which winds 2.25 miles through the 14,000 acres of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Collier County.  One of the many reasons why there's an abundance of wildlife here is that there are five distinct habitats:  pine flatwood, wet prairie, bald cypress, marsh and Lettuce Lakes.  This portion of the boardwalk is winding from the pine flatwood area into the wet prairie.  Interesting tidbit:  the largest remaining virgin bald cypress forest in North America is located right here.  There's so much to enjoy and absorb, the transitions from one habitat to the other are seamless.  By the way, the boardwalk is wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and I saw several people making their way around, binoculars in hand, which I thought was quite nice.  I know if I couldn't make it around on my own I certainly would enjoy that option. 

Palm Warbler

The entire SDP staff took a day trip recently down to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples. What an absolute treasure!  In the spring, birds migrate there from all over.  If you're a birder or nature lover, this is the place to go in March or early April during migration season. Almost from the moment we stepped foot onto the 2.25-mile boardwalk, which winds through five habitats including grasslands and woods, we could hear and see an assortment of birds flitting around including this palm warbler. Isn't he handsome? The Audubon Society purchased 14,000 acres of land in 1954 and set it aside as a wildlife sanctuary. Volunteers stroll around pointing out birds and other critters to visitors and answering questions, which is how I was able to identify this little feathered beast.  (I'm not that good of an ornithologist yet.)  Since we had such a good time (and snapped so many photos), we're going to take you on a virtual tour of Corkscrew Swamp over the next few days and share some of our wildlife encounters.  No need for hiking boots...or binoculars.  Warning:  watch your mouse...there could be snakes on this adventure.