Kayaking with Alligator
Posted 04-23-2009 at 10:50 AM by mikecatadjuster
In this episode of 'Another Walk with Mike' we'll actually travel by kayak and not by foot. And we'll kayak with the Big Reptile... the American Alligator.
This encounter came after I returned my little prizes to their mother and knew of some gator near Daphne, Alabama where the highway bridge meets dry land. You can view these gator from the bridge while coming from Mobile to Daphne. I decided to get a closer look.
I was almost toppled. In the video, which I had to edit due to an expletive that shot out of my mouth, by accident of course. A huge gator had just entered the water and I was filming its wake when suddenly, I looked down and he was eye ball to eye ball with me, less than a foot from my kayak. I inadvertently said, "Oh ----" and I guess the gator had the same reaction and split in a hurry.
The water was muddy and it is very uncommon for a big gator to surface close to your water craft. It happens all the time with the smaller gator. Luckily, when he thrust down under, his body did not contact my kayak, but he did send plenty of water onto me and into my kayak. It was a close call to be toppled as even just in his submergence my kayak was dancing on the surface.
This encounter came after I returned my little prizes to their mother and knew of some gator near Daphne, Alabama where the highway bridge meets dry land. You can view these gator from the bridge while coming from Mobile to Daphne. I decided to get a closer look.
I was almost toppled. In the video, which I had to edit due to an expletive that shot out of my mouth, by accident of course. A huge gator had just entered the water and I was filming its wake when suddenly, I looked down and he was eye ball to eye ball with me, less than a foot from my kayak. I inadvertently said, "Oh ----" and I guess the gator had the same reaction and split in a hurry.
The water was muddy and it is very uncommon for a big gator to surface close to your water craft. It happens all the time with the smaller gator. Luckily, when he thrust down under, his body did not contact my kayak, but he did send plenty of water onto me and into my kayak. It was a close call to be toppled as even just in his submergence my kayak was dancing on the surface.
Total Comments 10
Comments
-
Okay the snakes are one thing....but gators!!!
For some reason I've never been afraid of sharks, but alligators cause my heart to stop! Great footage!!!! I love the boys in the spring! Take care Dad.
Posted 04-23-2009 at 12:50 PM by ItzKatzTime
-
When I saw you mention Daphne, I figured you were talking about the ones that hang around Hampton Inn where the highways converge on Eastern Shore. There is a boardwalk that meanders through there that allows a (safe) viewing tour of some of the gators. I haven't seen as many as you saw nor have I seen the larger ones, but whenever I stay there, I usually see some cruising through the water. The kayak tour definitely adds some excitement!Posted 04-25-2009 at 10:23 AM by Everytime
-
They might have been wanting to mate with you or your boat.Posted 04-27-2009 at 08:37 AM by kurt
-
DUDE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Posted 04-27-2009 at 09:42 AM by dmarie
-
I'd like to get into some more gator. If I were in Louisiana I'd have shot some incredible video. But that was neat there in Daphne. I'm wondering what my next excursion will entail. Trying to figure it out. I may head back to St. Vincent island and try to get to the eastern end or head to some springs. We'll see.Posted 05-05-2009 at 12:51 PM by mikecatadjuster
-
Very cool, but you do cause my blood pressure to rise!!Posted 05-06-2009 at 10:48 AM by Franny
-
You see wildlife
HE sees yummm lets flip this one for DINNERPosted 05-16-2009 at 04:31 PM by incredible1
-
Has anyone seen my poodle? Daphne- my old stompin groundsPosted 05-19-2009 at 10:43 AM by Beauty hunter
-
The ones on our farm come up to my tractor when I put hay out...they have no reason to fear us if they have grown up without an encounter with violent humans...I will try to post a picture of one in a gallery in one of my albums...Posted 08-23-2009 at 04:37 PM by FlutterBy
-
Guess we now know where the gators ended up, after Katrina! I've heard about the Gator Farms losing them, during Hurricanes! Seriously, Mike, be careful! That was the most "up close and personal" footage, I've ever seen!Posted 08-25-2009 at 12:02 PM by Diane4145
Total Trackbacks 0
