More Gatorland
Friday morning we went to Gatorland. Everyone tells us there are lots of gators in Florida. But, we always have trouble seeing them. Usually because it is cold when we’re here. This time we saw some in the wild as it was much warmer than usual. But, if you want to see them, Gatorland’s got them.
And crocodiles, turtles and dancing birds as well.
They also have the rare, white but not albino, gators.
And, lots of birds that know that humans and gators are both messy with food and there will be plenty left for them.
We did buy some gator chow.
That booth also had a lot of birds. But, these seemed more domesticated than the others.
The chicken liked pecking at the hot dogs.
My wife said something to the effect that she seemed friendly enough to hold. Once said, the woman working there did not stop until my wife held the chicken.
The chicken didn’t mind. The guy behind us in line for gator chow seemed less amused.
Before we used our food we went to the Gator Jumparoo show. It starts with guys trying to get the alligators motivated to jump up out of the water.
Most of the gators seemed annoyed and just went back in the water to get away from him.
Then, they string up some chicken and see if the gators will go for it.
Just as they were saying it might be too cold for them, it was only 80, the gators decided they were hungry.
Then, they hand fed them. I’m not sure getting gators used to the idea that human hands hold chickens is a good one. But, that’s what they do.
Then, we tried our gator chow with some of the smaller gators. They seemed pretty enthusiastic, if not particularly good at getting it.
They also had tortoise feeding.
That seemed pretty cool to me, until I found they charged $5 for 1/4 of an apple on a stick.
I’d like to feed one, but not at that price.
Sorry.
My wife also fed the birds.
One big bird chased the others off her arm where they had to made due with dropped seeds.
One seemed willing to climb up on her shoe and check out inside her pants looking for more.
My wife’s second stick of food went better.
After that, we walked around the big gator pit.
It’s clear they don’t all get along with each other.
Some are kept well away from others.
Of course the zip line people were zipping over head.
My wife decided not to try it because it cost a good bit and took a couple of hours as you circled the park above it on the zip lines.
We saw a croc walk out and sit under the line once they started. So, I’m worried they associate it with the jumping for chickens on the line at the other show.
This was the “guess the croc from the gator” pit.
Obvious once you see her.
There are a lot of gators there.
Including a hunchback one.
And, there were some points I wondered about the strength of that boardwalk.
But, it is still better than that zipline.
My wife continued with feeding birds that day.
The place was very much in the holiday spirit. Even with gator wreaths.
Then, we went back to the hotel for a nap.
Post nap we came out to see a blimp going over.
I thought it might have been for off world colonies where you could start a new life.
Instead it was for Direct TV, so you could watch a movie about off world colonies where you could start a new life.
Then, we went over to our cousins. My wife made cookies while I tried to get new iPhones up and running. While things were downloading, I also enjoyed the sunset.
We had cookies first, then sushi for dinner. I was totally OK with the cookies first plan.
When we got back to the hotel, we found that some one was totally convinced we needed pizza delivery.
Our first night there we got one flyer. Then two. Then three. And, I’m not talking a new one each night. I’m saying they upped the number we got each night.
We never did order pizza. I’m just as glad. I don’t want to encourage that sort of behavior.