Sunday morning, driving to the islands, I left home with clear skies and mild temperatures around 6:30. By the time I got close to the bay waters, I ran into a lot of ground fog. I stepped on the accelerator and crossed the JFK Causeway to then pull off the island highway to stop at Packery Channel Park to take photos of the ground fog as the sun came up in the east. Here's what I saw:
Behind me, as I was watching the sunrise, the moon was over my shoulder; through the misty air, I zoomed in...
Arriving at Port Aransas, I went to Paradise Pond first. Only grackles, warblers, doves, grebes, and one heron atop the power pole. So, I hopped in the car and drove just down the road to turn off to go to another refuge. This one, highly damaged with Hurricane Harvey is still in disarray, but when I reached the barricade on foot, beyond the temporary fencing I could see that the town's park maintenance crew has been laying railroad tie pallets in the pond! That means a new boardwalk is being built to replace the one that was torn apart in 2017 [as you can see the new poles being set if you enlarge this photo]!! I stepped onto the ties and walked a bit. Beyond the very large willow I could see to the other side pretty well, I started taking pictures...
On the temporary railroad tie boardwalk, I continued a few more feel, and then a light bulb went on!!! I said to myself "What the heck am I doing?" I stopped, turned around....
...six feet from my OWN feet was an alligator. There I was with nothing protecting me from him and my legs being bitten off or worse. I walked slowly away, speeding up the further I made more distance between him and me!! For over a year's time, I haven't seen either of the two alligators, and I assumed they were moved so they could do the repair work. I was wrong!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
For the holiday, I will be back online with a pre-scheduled year wrap-up of all twelve months for 2018 [in two parts]. December 29th and 31st. And, a pre-scheduled post for my bird photography blog. Otherwise, time off for blogging for me.
Beautiful sky images. The gator is cool, glad you were safe. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I wish you all the best in 2019, Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Eileen
DeleteBeautiful photos. Glad you spotted that alligator before he spotted you. I would have hightailed out of there too.
ReplyDeleteHave a very Merry Christmas.
After I realized it was there, I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
DeleteMerry Christmas, Anni!! I hope you have a happy, healthy New Year filled with the beauty of nature.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Florence.
DeleteWow, Anni, you sure were taking a risk there. Glad it just turned out to be a scary picture! Love the ground fog pictures. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to your return. :-)
ReplyDeleteI know...I was not thinking, & very stupid! Thanks D J
DeleteI'm lovin' those fog photos. WOW - you are lucky to still have all of your fingers and toes to start the new year. I wish you a SAFE and healthy new year and a grand holiday season. Enjoy...Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIf I never do something as foolush as that encounter, I be safER! Thanks Ms. G
DeleteI do so love fog and your photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteNow about that alligator! Good grief! I’m glad you didn’t get hysterical and grab his attention which is what I probably would have done! Good job! You’ve survived a heart attack! Don’t go get eaten by a gator!
I'll try. I will remember my encounter & hope to be wiser the next time.
DeleteAn early Christmas blessing, that you are safe from that gator.. he sure is a big one and magnificent. the photos are beautiful and I like the edit of making them in to photos as in a book. Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteI just decided to frame my photos to be different. Thanks Sandra.
DeleteWishing you a very Merry Christmas to you and your readers. I have so much enjoyed all of your photos this year. Looking forward to next year's :)
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly Ms. B
DeleteThat alligator was a bit too close! Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIt was...I was ever so happy to get safely away!
DeleteWell, this has got to be the most exciting Christmas blog post ever. You almost got eaten by a gator!!! This is horribly frightening! In the egret picture, what are all the small birds? I love your beautiful moon! Gorgeous sunrise pictures, Stay SAFE! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI didn't pay attention to the smaller birds...perhaps Dowitchers? (I am on my small phone & can't see the photo large enough).
DeleteI assume people in your neck of woods know how to live around gators. I would be clueless.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Well, my opinion is...they're natural predators...you never know!
DeleteBeautiful images! Have a wonderful and very Merry Christmas Anni :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures with the fog. Have a Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Ruth
DeleteGorgeous shots! Wishing you a lovely Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fi
DeleteMerry Christmas, Anni!
ReplyDeleteAnd same to you ... thanks.
DeleteGreat photos of the fog! But the Alligator- yikes!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Thanks Lea
DeleteMerry Christmas Anni! Glad you were safe from that gator, he is huge! Hope New Years is great for you and looking forward to the photos
ReplyDelete