Meet Godfrey!
There I was, one cool November morning, swimming along chasing a frog for breakfast, minding my own business when SWOOSH!
A big hand scooped me up and took me on an adventure of a lifetime.
“Oh joy! I’m going to see the world!” I thought as I looked at the vastness around me.
I wasn’t sure whether to swim or crawl this curious terrain.
Before I could figure it out, there was that big hand again.
Momma said my sharp teeth and strong jaws were my protection. So, I SNAPPED that finger right off!
Well not quite, because then they made me climb a tree, hanging on for dear life like I was some kind of common gecko.
Just when I thought I was safe, they came in for another closeup. You’d think they never saw a baby gator before. Sheesh!
And then they did the cruelest thing of all.
They put me to sleep.
And when I woke up, I was back in the safety of the marsh grass, where my momma was waiting for me. And boy, was she angry!
Thanks for the ride, fellas!
Godfrey the Gator
(No gators were harmed in the writing of this story, before, during or after. The baby gator was returned to its mother at the of the journey.)
cool!
Cute!
BTW last night on the local news was an interesting story about coastal rehab. Seems they think they have found a way that actually works to resetablish the mangroves using a peat sack, magic powder, and some seeds. After a year on test the State and Fed conservevation commission said it was the best way they had yet seen to rehab. Was real interesting. Just drop the bags like sand bags, they grow and the roots actual conjoin the bags together. It was specifically talking though about the mangroves required for the pelicans and water fowl.
I was in the kitchen, didn’t see what channel and couldn’t find it on the net. At least it does show a public awareness
My kids will love you for this post!! The boys will have a fit when they see it! Hope you are well!
I thought about your boys when I was typing it, actually!!! HEY BOYS!!! How y’all doing??? I’m ready for some new episodes of Swamp People! How about you?
They are cute when they’re little. One problem though…they get BIG! Was the mom near when Godfrey was caught? Were y’all near a nest?
I decided not to write the story of how the boys happened upon the momma and her babies since it is a questionable topic. They didn’t harm the gators, and yes, the mother was right there. She hangs out near their duck blind. These are definitely late hatchers, though. This little guy wasn’t very big at all. I thought they typically hatch in August, and at three months old, should have been bigger than this with teeth that can really cut you. Also, we had a cold snap, so it was very surprising to see them out and about. Once we have the first cool front, we don’t see too many gators out after that. It’s a big puzzlement!!!
The news report was on Fox Network Channel 8 with John Snell. I half expected to see you, BYW. Didn’t happen though.
Question: does rubbing their tummies really put them to sleep? Nice story and Godfrey is a handsome youngun’.
Well, John Snell didn’t call me, Cuz!!! He has been on my boat, ya know? Yes, rubbing them on their belly calms them and will actually put the babies to sleep. That’s why I said that, lol!
Loved this! Those little guys are cute as can be. I may have told you – I got to rub the tummy of a BIG boy some years ago. They pulled him out of a local marina, trussed him up and flipped him over. We rubbed his stomach until the Fish and Wildlife guys came to get him and take him off to Anahuac or somewhere.
He seemed pretty content.
I could so see you doing that!!! (By the way, Dotter left you a comment on previous post about wanting to read your ghost story. I sent her over to your blog, but be sure and let us know if you write that story up, okay?)
It’s in process. Never written about a ghostly presence before, so it’s challenging me a little more! I’ll drop a note when it goes up – probably post after next. Thanks!
Hooray! Baby alligators are so cute, but man, I get freaked out just seeing the adult ones! Must have been that bad dream. Remember that song, Mommer? “Baby gator, doot doot. Doot! Doot!”
I was singing that song in my head the WHOLE TIME I was writing this! Really, I was!!!! Funny!
Aaaw, what a cute little fella he is! I’m sure that was quite an adventure for him. Glad he went back to his mama!
I’m a bit too far from the bayou for this type of critter, but my cats bring home all sorts of “friends.” In the spring nursing mother raccoons and possums fill up on cat chow on the front porch.
Once their kids have gotten the idea the moms disappear into the woods for a well-earned rest. Of course, by the time the hormones are rising in the spring they have forgotten the consequences of you-know-what and soon bring their latest crop of little ones around.
They get along just fine with the cats. In fact, I suspect that at least one of the cats has invited them to share their dry food.
I figure two or three more generations and this area will have raccoons that meow, like their friends the cats.
Cute little fellow. I know it is illegal now but, I remember when they sold the baby gators at the state fair! Oh heck, I just gave away my age.
They found a 4 foot gator about 20 miles from here in a ditch a couple of nights ago. Made us all miss you guys! If we have many more earthquake and tornadoes you may very well have new neighbors! At least with hurricanes you get a warning!
BTW, BW, I love the focus of the 2nd picture! Awesome.
Thank you, my sweets!
Dear Bayou Woman, Captain Wendy, Camp Proprietor, et. al.,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for cleaning out your email INBOX and finding a receipt for the book you ordered on October 14th. I’m not sure who inspired you to order this book about writing memoirs. But if you ever remember where you heard about the book and what inspired you to want to read it, please let me know.
Sincerely,
W.W. Billiot (aspiring author)
PS Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most. That is all.
AH HA! That book wouldn’t be by the esteemed William Zinsser, would it? If so, I may know who was raving about it enough to move you to purchase it. 😉
No, Linda. It is by Marion Roach something or other, and I’m almost finished with it. The whole time I’m reading, I’m so distracted trying to remember why I ordered it. I know that sounds strange, but it helps me know as to what level I should be studying versus just reading, and I know you understand that. Interesting thing is how much I think of your writing while I am reading what she’s teaching . . . . one day . . . .I will learn to write better!
No, Linda. It is by Marion Roach something or other, and I’m almost finished with it. The whole time I’m reading, I’m so distracted trying to remember why I ordered it. I know that sounds strange, but it helps me know as to what level I should be studying versus just reading, and I know you understand that. Interesting thing is how much I think of your writing while I am reading what she’s teaching . . . . one day . . . .I will learn to write better!
Off subject again. I just wanted to say that I taped Ascension Outdoors Sun., then went out of town for 2 days. I did manage to watch the show yesterday afternoon. Good show. Just wish I could get down there to catch a few of those “Yellow mouths” myself. WAY, WAY OFF SUBJECT…I came across a Fruit cake in the freezer yesterday with your name on it! It’s about time to make them again…I’ll put a fresh one in there for you!
Girl! You better get your butt down here and bring me a DVD, a fruitcake, and a big smile!!!!! And THEN you can go catch some trout!
Jeez, you don’t want much, do you? The smile and a fruit cake aren’t a problem , but I can’t help with a DVD though. You’ll have to talk to Tar Baby about that. My “box” (from my provider) will only let me copy to VCR after hooking one up to it. Being technologically challenged, Hubby would have to do that…I can’t see THAT happening!
I was just giving you a hard time! Tar Baby is sending me a DVD, and you might want to erase that recording anyway ; ) But you’re not off the hook about the fruit cake! I might just have to come up there and get it. And oh, the trout bite is still OFF. I am so puzzled because the water is GORGEOUS in the lake right now.
Got to be the crazy weather we’re having. The temps just aren’t stable. Winter like temps one day and the next day it’s Summer again.
Yeah well ok I forget….
Getting really healthy might have to come down for a three hour tour soon. Probably needed these needles 5 years ago…
You take anybody out fly fishing yet?
Nope. Still haven’t done it myself. You wanna be the first I guess?
My husband finds them in the skimmers of swimming pools now and then. He tries to save them if he can. The pool chemicals will kill them if they’re in there long.
Scarlet, tell me again where that happens? What state? I would not want to find one in my pool (if I had a pool, lol!)!
I haven’t had an alligator in my yard since Katrina, but in case I do–and it’s smaller than the 4 – 5 footers that have visited before–I’ll remember the tummy-rub thing.