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 March 17, 2014

A Walk On The Wild Side

We’re not generally nervous while hiking, but our recent hike on the La Chua Trail at Payne’s Prairie had all of us on alert. We decided that hiking as a pack was the best approach. That way, no one would end up as lunch for a gator.

During our first visit to Payne’s Prairie back in late January, Eric and I hiked the La Chua Trail. We were warned of numerous large alligators, and I had read that it was a good idea to carry a heavy walking stick to bonk the gators on the head if necessary. Lacking a walking stick, I insisted that we carry our aluminum hiking poles, figuring that was better than nothing. As it turns out, we didn’t see one gator on the entire hike. We did see plenty of bird life, and wanted to return to share the beautiful trail with our friends Judy and John, who were visiting from our hometown in Oregon.

This time, we didn’t bother with hiking poles. That was a big mistake—there were dozens upon dozens of gators, most of them enormous, and some disconcertingly close to the trail. John and Judy are no strangers to wildlife—they lived in Alaska for many years, and have plenty of grizzly stories to tell. But even they had their hackles up as we started this hike. A sign at the beginning of the trail warns hikers to stay 20 feet away from the gators. I don’t know how in the heck we were supposed to do that, given that the trail is only 10 feet wide.

We scuttled along in unison for the first part of the trail, with me frequently yelling out, “Get away from that bank! Don’t lag behind!” After a while, we just relaxed and enjoyed the trail (keeping a watchful eye out) until we reached almost the end, where an enormous gator laid part way in the trail, facing us. At that point, we decided unanimously to turn back. It was only upon our return that we noticed a sign we had missed on the way in. Judy read it out loud: “The gator you have to worry about is the one you never see.” Now that is a disturbing sign.[portfolio_slideshow]

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Categories : Florida, Travel
Tags : La Chua Trail, Payne's Prairie
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Comments

  1. peggy says:
    March 17, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    Yikes, that is all I have to say. You are very brave and might I add –
    crazy to go out there……..

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    • Laurel says:
      March 18, 2014 at 5:59 am

      It did feel a bit crazy, but according to all accounts, still a safe adventure. No matter what the statistics say, though, I’m very alert when near gators!

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  2. Carol says:
    March 17, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    Beautiful photos! Lovely blog.

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    • Laurel says:
      March 18, 2014 at 5:40 am

      Thank you, Carol! Eric and I both love photography and our cameras go everywhere with us.

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  3. Pam Wright says:
    March 18, 2014 at 5:15 am

    Those are very interesting signs you saw on your hike. We were told at Shark Valley that alligators rarely bother people. But I guess if you are in a more unpopular area, they might be surprised!? Scary hiking, but you came out with both legs…haha!

    Glad you met up with the Lowe’s. They are great people.

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    • Laurel says:
      March 18, 2014 at 5:51 am

      When we biked Shark Valley we felt a bit uneasy when we passed by one medium-sized gator near the trail. Hiking La Chua felt different, because the gators were so enormous. Apparently, various conditions have conspired to create a population of monster gators. I would NOT hike this trail during mating season, which starts in April.

      We had a great time with MonaLiza and Steve — they are delightful!

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  4. LuAnn says:
    March 18, 2014 at 5:23 am

    Now this trail would freak me out! It reminded me of our time in Yellowstone and worrying about the grizzlies, walking along tapping our walking sticks together and calling out to them. You did get some great photos however. Is your first photo an egret? I don’t know that I have ever seen green around the eye like that before.

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    • Laurel says:
      March 18, 2014 at 5:55 am

      It freaked me out, too, LuAnn! It was definitely worth it, though. We felt safe traveling as a “pack,” haha! I’m glad you noticed the green eye on the great egret — that’s part of the breeding plumage. Isn’t it gorgeous?

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  5. MonaLiza says:
    March 18, 2014 at 6:21 am

    You guys are really wild and brave! I really wished we had stayed longer in the area,it seems there is still a lot to explore. Alligators freak me out although I posed with one of them at Shark Valley.
    Oh so the green thing on the Great Egret means it is breeding! Now I know.
    As always great photography.

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    • Laurel says:
      March 18, 2014 at 10:36 am

      We were so chicken it was hilarious — if only you could have seen us at the start of the trail moving together as one unit. I love seeing the birds in their breeding plumage. Some have such strikingly different coloring!

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  6. Janna and Mike says:
    March 18, 2014 at 6:40 am

    At least someone in the sign department at Payne’s Prairie has a sense of humor!! We loved the day we spent there!

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    • Laurel says:
      March 18, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Haha, I didn’t think of that! They were definitely serious about warning us, so much so that we REALLY paid attention. They apparently got their point across. :-)

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  7. Ingrid says:
    March 18, 2014 at 8:31 am

    I am truly missing the birds of the Gulf. What a great photo and a beauty he his….love that green around his eyes. Yikes, gators on the trail. Probably not a relaxing hike that day.
    Glad you got to meet ML and Steve – fun folks :-)

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    • Laurel says:
      March 18, 2014 at 10:39 am

      I’m already anticipating missing the birds here, and we’ve not left yet! Wasn’t that green fantastic? At first we thought the egret had some pond vegetation stuck on his head before we realized it was fancy breeding plumage. We were so happy to meet ML and Steve — and we’re looking forward to meeting you in our travels, too. It’s so much fun to meet like-minded folks.

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  8. Sherry says:
    March 19, 2014 at 5:34 am

    Having a terrible time with internet here at Manatee Springs. This is the 3rd time I’ve tried to comment. Hope this one works. I LOVE bird eyes and those are gorgeous. Beautiful pictures. We’ve spent a lot of time around alligators and have been told that we are way too big for them to be interested in unless provoked to defend themselves OR during mating season when I’d for sure stay far away. But if the birds who are just dinner size aren’t worried about being right next to them, you probably don’t have to worry either. You sure have shown your friends a wonderful time!

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    • Laurel says:
      March 19, 2014 at 5:43 am

      You’ve certainly had some VERY close encounters with huge gators — some of your posts have given me nightmares! (Just kidding) You’re right, they’re not supposed to bother us, but still…

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Eric and Laurel

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