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Abstract

mming with the current, it was floating and using its side fins to paddle backwards so it could stay in one spot. I wondered if that was a momma fish, trying to stay put on top of her nest?</p><p id="2b30">Many of the fish I saw were huge enough to feed a family for dinner, much less two adults. I was on a hunt, not to catch any of the fish. I wanted to see an alligator in its natural habitat. I had seen crocodiles in a river in Costa Rica, and of course I had seen alligators in aquariums and zoos, but I had not seen one in their home.</p><p id="dd43">As I watched the fish below me, I spotted him. At first, I thought he was a log or a huge fish the water. But then he turned to the side, just as his gaping jaws opened and I could see the row of razer sharp teeth. He came up, chomped down on the fish and began the death roll in the mud of the bottom. There was no mistaking him, and he was actually putting on a show below me.</p><p id="935b">He was about 3 or 4 feet in length, and by then I had passed over where I could see him. He wasn’t at all interested in me, he had just had a nice fresh bass for lunch. I was also surprised he could eat while being under water. Alligators breathe air and don’t have gills, so I didn’t know they could eat while holding their breath.</p><figure id="1c6b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*rvQEQwe5KSOUWj0tx77InA.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by author</figcaption></figure><p id="d123">I was delighted to see him so early in my trip up the river, and I witnessed an extrordinary event. My day was complete. I had a story to tell and I continued slowly paddling up the river.</p><p id="29b4">About an hour later I went almost to the bridge, but the water was getting shallow and there was too much seaweed to continue. I had learned my lesson when I was young the best way to tip a canoe was to get stuck on the bottom. The second

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best way to tip is to get too close to shore that you get stuck under a tree branch. I was a little too close to both of these situations, so I had to turn back home.</p><p id="2037">It wasn’t long before another human river rat pointed out another alligator hiding under the tree. This one was a big one and he was happily content hiding under the arch of tree branches on the bank of the water. This one was at least 6 to 8 feet in length and could have had me for lunch. Fortunately, he was not interested in lunch or eating the gaping humans taking his picture. He was just soaking up the rays.</p><figure id="3a3b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*rpmMFSnmm7qaPFM6R13fZg.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo of larger alligator on shore. Photo by author</figcaption></figure><p id="cf3a">I went for a second canoe trip later that day, this time only paddling when it was time to return. I let the river take me along, I saw more fish and more varieties of fish than I had seen in the morning.</p><p id="290a">I also did not see many humans, the river was quiet. Nature was in its element and it was in balance. I felt as if I was intruding on the circle of life surrounding me.</p><p id="18d5"><a href="https://readmedium.com/resolved-on-thursdays-i-will-float-13d8ceea9cbe">Like paddling? </a>Join Carolyn Chryst as she floats!</p><div id="1be0" class="link-block"> <a href="https://aslynn-roe.medium.com/list/c8c61c7e2002"> <div> <div> <h2>Travels</h2> <div><h3> </h3></div> <div><p>aslynn-roe.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*e9b1b0bf0c1596539e3397b0bb253399fd714d64.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Ocala National Forest

Alexander Springs is one of Florida’s clear natural springs found in the Ocala National Forest. We camped at the campground, which is a short walk down to the river.

Alexander Springs. Photo by author

Canoeing on Alexander Springs is like floating on an aquarium. Paddling on the calm river, I could see the bottom and all the marine life living under the aluminum canoe. I could see schools of minnows, and large striped bass swim below me. Schools of them, just doing what fish do in the clear, cold water. I could see where the fish had nests as the momma fish stood guard over the babies.

There were turtles on shore, enjoying the hot Florida sun as they sunbathed on the dead trees. As I went by, they would extend their long necks and raise their heads to see if I posed any danger. Their feet and hands were out to the ready, in case I got too close and they needed to jump in. I saw one turtle from afar with his head out of the water as he swam. When I got up to him, he completely submersed and swam away from my metal canoe.

I paddled only when I needed to keep moving or to direct myself away from a submerged tree or outcropping of lily pads. It was a gentle paddle, even still, as I didn’t want to make a splash or disrupt anything. I was a visitor in this real aquarium, where you can observe the fish below and watch how they behave.

Photo by author

I saw one huge fish with orange on the very tips of its fins. Rather than swimming with the current, it was floating and using its side fins to paddle backwards so it could stay in one spot. I wondered if that was a momma fish, trying to stay put on top of her nest?

Many of the fish I saw were huge enough to feed a family for dinner, much less two adults. I was on a hunt, not to catch any of the fish. I wanted to see an alligator in its natural habitat. I had seen crocodiles in a river in Costa Rica, and of course I had seen alligators in aquariums and zoos, but I had not seen one in their home.

As I watched the fish below me, I spotted him. At first, I thought he was a log or a huge fish the water. But then he turned to the side, just as his gaping jaws opened and I could see the row of razer sharp teeth. He came up, chomped down on the fish and began the death roll in the mud of the bottom. There was no mistaking him, and he was actually putting on a show below me.

He was about 3 or 4 feet in length, and by then I had passed over where I could see him. He wasn’t at all interested in me, he had just had a nice fresh bass for lunch. I was also surprised he could eat while being under water. Alligators breathe air and don’t have gills, so I didn’t know they could eat while holding their breath.

Photo by author

I was delighted to see him so early in my trip up the river, and I witnessed an extrordinary event. My day was complete. I had a story to tell and I continued slowly paddling up the river.

About an hour later I went almost to the bridge, but the water was getting shallow and there was too much seaweed to continue. I had learned my lesson when I was young the best way to tip a canoe was to get stuck on the bottom. The second best way to tip is to get too close to shore that you get stuck under a tree branch. I was a little too close to both of these situations, so I had to turn back home.

It wasn’t long before another human river rat pointed out another alligator hiding under the tree. This one was a big one and he was happily content hiding under the arch of tree branches on the bank of the water. This one was at least 6 to 8 feet in length and could have had me for lunch. Fortunately, he was not interested in lunch or eating the gaping humans taking his picture. He was just soaking up the rays.

Photo of larger alligator on shore. Photo by author

I went for a second canoe trip later that day, this time only paddling when it was time to return. I let the river take me along, I saw more fish and more varieties of fish than I had seen in the morning.

I also did not see many humans, the river was quiet. Nature was in its element and it was in balance. I felt as if I was intruding on the circle of life surrounding me.

Like paddling? Join Carolyn Chryst as she floats!