uctofeej
Master of Random Thought
Thanks again to the wonders of motorcycling, my daughter and her classmates got to take a field trip to Alligator Bayou yesterday. Of course, I took the opportunity to go along.
As many of you know, I have been puttering around the backroads of Louisiana since moving here last summer. A few weeks ago, I came across Alligator Bayou and thought it would be a good place to show my daughter. So, yesterday, we went and I thought you all might enjoy seeing some of the pics.
The kids started off by seeing the babies first. But we quickly moved on to the good stuff.
The two guides had microphones so they could talk to the kids as they brought the gators closer to the fence. This particular gator was quite happy to get some free chicken. Meanwhile, the vultures -- all nicknamed Edna -- waited not-so-patiently in the background for any scraps.
Getting closer (oh, by the way, the guy with the chicken says he's only been bitten 3 times since he started doing this!).
Now she's got it and she's retreating to the safety of water.
The trainer told the kids not to touch the fence because the gators think that means they're about to get food. (Gee, I wonder where the gators would get that idea!) Here, he leans over to splash chicken on the surface to lure one to jump.
Meanwhile, some of the Edni wait from afar.
Next, we went to a second pond to see more. This time, Ms. Pam, the teacher, got in on the act and grabbed Big Momma by the tail! I guess if you deal with children all day, gators just don't scare you anymore...
Notice Edna's patience is running out. She's going for the bucket.
After seeing the gator pit, we went on a boat ride through the swamp.
Here's a wild gator patrolling his territory. (I may reconsider my desire to go kayaking around here.)
By the way, the guy above is what awaits if one make a bad decision on this road.
As we cruised through the water, they brought out various animals to show the kids. Here's nutria enjoying a lollipop while the kids pet him.
They gave me a baby gator to take around to let the children pet. That was awesome, never thought I'd get to do that! (Pic coming later when I get a copy from the teacher.)
Once I made my rounds with the baby, our guide pulled out this guy and let everyone pet him, too. He's 9 years old, old enough to do some damage, but he's also used to being petted.
As the guide walked around with him, he managed to slap each one of the adults with the tail. Weird!
Some of the kids doubted this guy was real at first, so the guide put him down and let him walk around for a bit.
And finally, one last shot of the big dude watching over his turf.
This trip never would've happened without the feej. :yahoo: So, I guess I can say the scoot is an educational tool now. Motorycling rocks!
As many of you know, I have been puttering around the backroads of Louisiana since moving here last summer. A few weeks ago, I came across Alligator Bayou and thought it would be a good place to show my daughter. So, yesterday, we went and I thought you all might enjoy seeing some of the pics.
The kids started off by seeing the babies first. But we quickly moved on to the good stuff.
The two guides had microphones so they could talk to the kids as they brought the gators closer to the fence. This particular gator was quite happy to get some free chicken. Meanwhile, the vultures -- all nicknamed Edna -- waited not-so-patiently in the background for any scraps.
Getting closer (oh, by the way, the guy with the chicken says he's only been bitten 3 times since he started doing this!).
Now she's got it and she's retreating to the safety of water.
The trainer told the kids not to touch the fence because the gators think that means they're about to get food. (Gee, I wonder where the gators would get that idea!) Here, he leans over to splash chicken on the surface to lure one to jump.
Meanwhile, some of the Edni wait from afar.
Next, we went to a second pond to see more. This time, Ms. Pam, the teacher, got in on the act and grabbed Big Momma by the tail! I guess if you deal with children all day, gators just don't scare you anymore...
Notice Edna's patience is running out. She's going for the bucket.
After seeing the gator pit, we went on a boat ride through the swamp.
Here's a wild gator patrolling his territory. (I may reconsider my desire to go kayaking around here.)
By the way, the guy above is what awaits if one make a bad decision on this road.
As we cruised through the water, they brought out various animals to show the kids. Here's nutria enjoying a lollipop while the kids pet him.
They gave me a baby gator to take around to let the children pet. That was awesome, never thought I'd get to do that! (Pic coming later when I get a copy from the teacher.)
Once I made my rounds with the baby, our guide pulled out this guy and let everyone pet him, too. He's 9 years old, old enough to do some damage, but he's also used to being petted.
As the guide walked around with him, he managed to slap each one of the adults with the tail. Weird!
Some of the kids doubted this guy was real at first, so the guide put him down and let him walk around for a bit.
And finally, one last shot of the big dude watching over his turf.
This trip never would've happened without the feej. :yahoo: So, I guess I can say the scoot is an educational tool now. Motorycling rocks!
