Big Bruiser and other overflow from Black Point: There are usually numerous alligators to be seen and this trip was no exception. I shot these for my friend, Gary, who has a thing for...

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

There are usually numerous alligators to be seen and this trip was no exception. I shot these for my friend, Gary, who has a thing for alligators!

This is Bruiser sunning in his favorite spot.

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A smaller relative with a very satisfied grin.

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White Ibis looking for breakfast.

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Wow

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Very nice, especially reflection in #2.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

jerryc41 wrote:

Wow

They are impressive creatures, Jerry!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

John from gpwmi wrote:

Very nice, especially reflection in #2.

Thank you, John. These were the only two I saw out in the open. The reflections caught my eye, too.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...Bruiser and his family look like they are eating well...great capture...!

gwr Loc: South Dartmouth, Ma.

Nice set! The reflection in 2 and 3 are great. That gator in 2 looks amped up. Gary

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Cwilson341 wrote:

There are usually numerous alligators to be seen and this trip was no exception. I shot these for my friend, Gary, who has a thing for alligators!

Good job!! Great shots. When out (I worked at KSC/Canaveral AF Station - Cape Canaveral) there in the restricted areas (thousands of acres) there are tons of gators and other wildlife out there that live basically unmolested their entire lives, hence they grow really large, look like dinosaurs, and they really eat well. The fish are mindboggling, very little fishing is allowed (employee passes), and they also grow very large, along with Florida Panthers, bears, bobcat, gators and turtles, feral hogs and every kind of bird you can imagine.

It is unfortunate that the general public can't go into the interior or see them, it really is a treasure trove of wildlife, although a lot is only accessible by airboat, canoe, swamp buggy. Black point is great, but is only a taste of the magnificent beauty of the place. North of Black Point on SR3 there are many birding/nature trails, Haulover Canal (has a manatee view spot), and many spots for fishing/canoeing, in the upper Indian River, Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River (a lot of that is restricted north of Port Canaveral) and we also have a beautiful beach, Canaveral National Seashore (Playalinda Beach) and other areas north towards New Smyrna Beach where the Indian River joins Halifax River at Ponce Inlet (State park) and on the south side of the inlet you can take old A1A south all the way to almost Playalinda Beach, North end of Canaveral National Seashore. Tens of thousands of acres of unmolested coastal seashore and wildlife areas on the west side of the beach dunes, a wonderful ecosystem, I hope it stays that way forever.

In High School in the late 1960's and after in early 70's it was all unrestricted, not even gated, all the way from the Space Center grounds, and north to New Smyrna and Daytona Beach area, many a day surfing and beach activities and camping on the ocean at night - it was a beautiful unspoiled area. There are still no commercial enterprises of any sort, no condos, no homes, it is still quite beautiful, just not so easily accessed these days - and of course, you have to pay to get to large parts of it.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Nice. I like your use of reflections!

Gary K Loc: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Carol, I am so pleased you are out there shooting again, and a special thanks for the alligators. I'm glad you have them and we don't, but I'm a bit envious of the wonderful verity of birds and other wildlife available to you.
Keep the pics for coming, and thanks again for the gators.
Gary

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent set, Carol! I assume no one ever takes Bruiser's favorite spot (at least not more than once).

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

SkyKing wrote:

...Bruiser and his family look like they are eating well...great capture...!

Bruiser is definitely a big boy. With all the fish and wildlife in the area, it is probably a pretty easy life for him.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

gwr wrote:

Nice set! The reflection in 2 and 3 are great. That gator in 2 looks amped up. Gary

Thank you, Gary. For the most part the water was smooth and the reflections were outstanding. The gator looks alert but he may have been cat napping in the sun. He didn't move at all.

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent shots Carol.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

olemikey wrote:

Good job!! Great shots. When out (I worked at KSC/Canaveral AF Station - Cape Canaveral) there in the restricted areas (thousands of acres) there are tons of gators and other wildlife out there that live basically unmolested their entire lives, hence they grow really large, look like dinosaurs, and they really eat well. The fish are mindboggling, very little fishing is allowed (employee passes), and they also grow very large, along with Florida Panthers, bears, bobcat, gators and turtles, feral hogs and every kind of bird you can imagine.

It is unfortunate that the general public can't go into the interior or see them, it really is a treasure trove of wildlife, although a lot is only accessible by airboat, canoe, swamp buggy. Black point is great, but is only a taste of the magnificent beauty of the place. North of Black Point on SR3 there are many birding/nature trails, Haulover Canal (has a manatee view spot), and many spots for fishing/canoeing, in the upper Indian River, Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River (a lot of that is restricted north of Port Canaveral) and we also have a beautiful beach, Canaveral National Seashore (Playalinda Beach) and other areas north towards New Smyrna Beach where the Indian River joins Halifax River at Ponce Inlet (State park) and on the south side of the inlet you can take old A1A south all the way to almost Playalinda Beach, North end of Canaveral National Seashore. Tens of thousands of acres of unmolested coastal seashore and wildlife areas on the west side of the beach dunes, a wonderful ecosystem, I hope it stays that way forever.

In High School in the late 1960's and after in early 70's it was all unrestricted, not even gated, all the way from the Space Center grounds, and north to New Smyrna and Daytona Beach area, many a day surfing and beach activities and camping on the ocean at night - it was a beautiful unspoiled area. There are still no commercial enterprises of any sort, no condos, no homes, it is still quite beautiful, just not so easily accessed these days - and of course, you have to pay to get to large parts of it.

Good job!! Great shots. When out (I worked at KSC/... (show quote)

I lived on Merritt Island in the late 50's and early 60's. It was far less developed than now but it still is pretty wild and natural. I love to hike the Cruishank trail. It takes you into some pretty much untouched areas.