As promised, alligators
We hiked the Hawks Bluff trail in the Savannas Preserve State Park this morning. It is a one mile loop down and up an old sand dune that is part of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. The elevation gain is a staggering 40 feet. Part of the trail is along the edge of the marshlands. There is a small peninsula that goes into the water for about 100 feet with a wooden observation platform to watch migratory birds. In the far distance, we saw shapes floating in the water. I put the zoom on max and braced myself against the rail. I was not sure what I was seeing until I got home and examined the images. It was our first alligators! The images are really pushing the camera and lens, but there is no doubt. Have a look:
