Gators and Stranger Things

Yesterday I had a plan to go on a main road and see if I could find anything interesting. I figured I wouldn’t hear too many birds, since there’s a lot of traffic noise, but I could look. And the road, Pope Avenue, has some lovely trails that go over lagoons full of native life. So, off I went!

I really enjoy walking in Hilton Head, because the flora and fauna remind me of where I grew up in northern Florida. Every once in a while I have an “aww” moment where I see something that reminds me of my mom. These irises were that for me. She loved finding them in the swampy areas we used to visit, looking for alligators. Mom was a fan.

And speaking of alligators, I found plenty of them on my walk. All were fairly young. The first one I found when I was taking a picture of a turtle to upload to iNaturalist. I looked at the image and realized the turtle was not alone.

My guess is that the gator had recently eaten (they don’t eat very often, especially after a large meal). Can a turtle tell that? I’m not sure, but they certainly looked cozy. The next ones I found were in a larger pond. There were at least four alligators there, which impressed me.

While watching the younger alligator swimming around underwater and going after something, I realized there was something else in the water. At first, I thought it was some debris, like a plastic bag floating in the pond.

But as I looked more closely, I could see that it was moving. I was very confused by this creature. Eventually I saw a tail. So, hmm, it had a tail.

At last, it came a bit closer to the surface, and I saw a mouth and eyes. Then it swam off and I saw fins waving. I could swear it was a stingray.

I thought stingrays only lived in saltwater, though, so I made sure to look up the behavior of rays when I got back to the condo. Sure enough, Atlantic stingrays can be found in brackish or fresh water. How about that! I saw a ray!

I also enjoyed the nearby park, Compass Rose Park, which I’d driven by many tims, but not visited. It has a cool statue of a man walking an alligator, and a large kinetic sculpture of a compass rose, along with some interesting water features. I’m glad I visited.

The only other fun creatures I saw were a whole group of Carolina Wrens in some brush, an Osprey nesting on a cell tower, and my very first Cape May Warbler behind one of the churches on Pope. I love exploring the backs of things. Lots of birds hang around the edges of parking lots.

I’m sure you’re wondering what exciting television viewing I engaged in. I got completely caught up with Matlock, which sure has its twists and turns. I wonder what will happen in the next season, because Matlock seems to have burned all bridges at her current workplace. Sorta like me.

I did apply for a job. I had sent in an application the day I lost the previous job but never heard back. Apparently, they re-opened it. Do I really want another job? I am not sure at all. But I can talk to the people looking for a candidate. Sadly, I can barely understand the recruiter. Indian English is so different from American English!