Chomp, Chomp! The Gators of Myakka River State Park

To say Myakka River has a few alligators would be like saying Washington has a few dirty politicians. Hi there, I’m Ben, and I rather swim naked with steaks tied to my arms and legs in a lake full of gators who haven’t eaten in 7 days than rub elbows with a Washington politician. *snaps out of it* Oh gosh, sorry about that mini rant on corrupt government, I hardly knew this post would start off THAT way. But heyyyyy, thanks for stopping by! I’ve been camping around Florida, mostly at state parks. My latest camping adventure brought me to Myakka River State Park, nestled between 73 big alligators and 195 REALLY big alligators.

I’m going to type up a recap of my entire experience, which was a mostly fun one (except for the day I totally overextended myself and got dehydrated, too). But today is all about the big, scary, ancient, frightening, fascinating, dinosaur alligator creature. Back when I was just an innocent lad (a couple months ago), I thought something was amiss… as I had not seen an alligator after taking my talents to south Florida. Well, that’s all done changed now. I can’t even keep track of how many I’ve seen! And part of that is thanks to Myakka River State Park. I mean, just look at this monster as observed from the safety of a bridge even though I will neither confirm nor deny that I tinkled in my underwear a little bit when I saw it.

As if to send a message to the human observers, this one is swimming off with a deceased turtle.

Come to think of it, the gator wasn’t just sending us humans a message. To this other (relatively) smaller gator, he also made very clear this was his turtle. The turtle was his. Belonging to him… was this turtle. Just look how he makes the gator jump when it got too close to the turtle (which was his, apparently).

They can jump, too?????? Here I was thinking the bridge was going to keep me safe! Three things were solidified in this moment on the bridge, after seeing this… 1. As if it wasn’t already clear, I WOULD NOT BE KAYAKING IN OR AROUND THIS RIVER. 2. I need more underwear. 3. *thinks for a second* Yes, I would still jump in this river naked and swim towards the biggest gator I could find than socialize with a Washington politician.

Here are a few other pics of gators in the area.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

No gas, no squeegee? Hyundai’s entitled commercial

I’ve seen this commercial quite a few times in the past few months but it never dawned on me till recently that I’m completely on Team Gas Station Attendant.

It’s not unlike stopping at a gas station to use the restroom. It’s a little distasteful to use their restroom without purchasing something, even if it’s not filling up your gas tank. Even worse is parking at a pump which could possibly keep the station from making money from someone who would need the pump.

So who’s side are we on here, anyway? Well, I gotta go with the gas station attendant. The Hyundai owner is not being very thoughtful. Also, does his hybrid vehicle not have the windshield washer spray function? Surely it does, which would nearly be as effective as the gas station squeegee. And going back to the potential loss of income… imagine if this actually happened with the high gas prices we’re currently experiencing. That could easily mean $80-$100 being forfeited because of the lack of concern from the hybrid owner.

I know it’s meant to highlight the Santa Fe in a light and somewhat humorous way. Perhaps we should leave it at that. But reading into something and pointing out how soft and disrespectful people can be is just more fun.

-Out of the Wilderness

New photos on display including gators, an owl, and a little gem

Hello and thanks for checking out today’s post. I have something new every day at 1pm central so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing! Some of you know that my photography can be purchased at FineArtAmerica.com. I have upwards of a hundred images (and counting) available to print in all kinds of ways. Check them out here but as a teaser I wanted to show you all a few of the latest images from camping around Florida. Below are the photos and be sure to read the captions for location and a link to the specific image. I’ve loved taking pictures of wildlife, nature, and the like… hope you enjoy the photos!

Pileated Woodpecker, Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Florida
Tree Trunk, Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Florida
Alligator in the Brush, Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida
Alligator Smile, Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida
Floating Gator, Colt Creek State Park, Florida
Little Shell, Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Florida
Barred Owl 1, Colt Creek State Park, Florida
Palm Tree in Purple Night Sky, Colt Creek State Park, Florida
Palm Tree at Night, Colt Creek State Park, Florida
Little Gem, Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Florida

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

A Wildlife First plus Night Photos and More at Colt Creek State Park, Florida

There I was riding my bike down the main road in Colt Creek State Park, camera bag strapped to my back, safari hat protecting me from the late morning sun. I was riding up to the lake where people fish and use canoes and kayaks to explore. The day before this I visited the same small lake and was surprised by how many alligators were hanging around the dock. 

This is basically the moment I decided I definitely wouldn’t be kayaking here. It’s not that I was afraid per se, it’s more like I just really, really like NOT being bitten by an alligator. So sue me! Wait, does anyone say that anymore? If someone does something people aren’t on board with, they say, “So sue me!” Oh, this reminds me of one of my favorite lines from a very short lived reality TV show called Kid Nation. There was a sassy contestant, probably 12 yrs old. She was one of these people that do stuff that no one likes and, if she was an adult, she’d say, “Sue me!” But the little diva’s go-to line was, “Deal with it!” Of course I used that line when I was an immature adult use that line to this very day.

Totally got off track there. Sorry, but, uhhh, deal with it! OK, anyway. Where were we? Oh yes, alligators. I like them, just don’t want them all up in my business, if you know what I mean. Following this visit to the lake I returned to the campsite and settled in for the night. But I had a plan. You see, there was this very tall palm tree near the lake. 

It’s been a while since I’ve tried astrophotography (see a few pics here) so I watched the entire Little Big League movie, which had me up way past my bed time. Once the Twins lost, ending their chances at the Pennant, I rode out to the tree. I was obviously not accustomed to being awake at midnight because when I got to the tree, I realized… I FORGOT MY CAMERA. What a dweeb. I rode back to the camper, the Twins still didn’t have the Pennant, and I rode back out to the tree. Finally I can snap some photos! Here are a few favorites from that night session. 

Overall I had a great time at this park. I think the people in this very cool-looking bus camper enjoyed it too, but I swear they never came out. It’s not that I was spying… that would be weird. I just never saw them through binoculars when I casually walked by nonchalantly and casually. Did I say I was casual?

Recap… Gators. Tall tree. Casual. Oh, I need to finish the story from the beginning of this post… when I was riding my bike up to the lake to take more photos. Well, I had a long delay in getting there because on the way I saw something I can’t ever remember seeing in the wild. And I’m so thankful I had my camera with me and that this creature hung around long enough for me to get some pictures! For the first time in many years, if ever, here is the first owl I’ve seen in real life…

a barred owl

But of course I can’t neglect the other birds I saw there, too. Here’s a hawk and some kind of heron, if you can identify it, let me know. I haven’t been able to pinpoint what type it is. I should do more research but… JUST DEAL WITH IT.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

Airbnb Space Invading Commercial – The Music

Airbnb’s campaign using guest photos takes on a song from Rocky Horror Picture Show back in 1975. Before we get to that, here’s the ad…

The song is “Time Warp” by Nell Campbell, Richard O’Brien, and Patricia Quinn. Here’s the full track for your listening pleasure.

…and here’s the clip from the movie using this song.