and, yes, I love alligators too :-)
Note: Seriously, while alligators can be as big and as powerful as the largest Nile or Saltwater crocs, they are not aggressive at all and they are predictable. The truth is that the locals (the real locals) don’t fear them and that in 99% of the cases, when a human is attacked by an alligator it is because of gross human error or outright reckless stupidity. Right now it is alligator mating season, so they walk around a lot and you can see them far away from their normal grounds. That is when people here find them in their swimming pools, front porches, blocking a highway or taking a stroll on a golf course. But, unless you look like a sexy alligator yourself, that is not much of a danger (the same goes for snakes, by the way: the typical profile of a person getting bitten by a snake is a young white male, with tattoos, whose last words are “hold my beer and watch this”). In reality the presence of gators is a good sign of a healthy and clean ecology and the fact that the gator population in FL is increasing is excellent news. I see gators on almost every hike and sometimes I walk by – carefully – very close to (just a couple of meters away – paths in a swamp can be very narrow). The truth is that they are rather shy animals who leave you alone unless you bother them. I also find them very, very beautiful. Meeting a gator in the wild is like meeting a dinosaur (which an alligator technically is): a wonderful experience. You can read more about these beautiful animals here: http://discoverykids.com/articles/are-alligators-really-dinosaurs/
I don’t even like Florida.
But I love Russia.
If I were to write off going to certain countries because of my dislike of their governments, I’d be left with only a handful of countries to visit. One thing that has stuck with me in life is how rarely everyday people have anything in common with whatever government they are living under.
That said, don’t write off Florida if you’ve never been, it’s really a beautiful place (the nature, that is, stay the heck away from Orlando and other major metropolitan areas).
Ten years ago I was once in California (other side of course, but similar because it’s also USA). As for Florida I saw “Flipper” on west-TV as a child.
I was in contact with two douzen American programmers for many years.
I do not like warm climate at all, I begin to feel well if the temperature drops below -20 or better-30.
It is like magic to fly across Siberia in winter, when all the rivers and lake Baikal are frozen and full of snow.
Also I wonder why real admirers and lovers of Russia don’t live in Russia.
Ok, that’s sadly also true for me, but because I have no money and had a Ukrainian gf for many years. Now I try to move forward to my goal. But Florida?? What’s that? Here?
— I don’t even like Florida. But I love Russia.
Me, too. And I love Masha:
https://cont.ws/uploads/pic/2016/5/5261-DKrLCs08yW4%20%281%29.jpg
I thought you meant: http://ricsize.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MariaSharapova6.jpg :-)
Which parts of Russia and Florida have you visited?
Beautiful, heart-warming love for nature. See ya later, alligator; after awhile crocodile.
Haha,I think they are beautiful too. And snakes (less so,lol),bears,lions,tigers,etc. But my rule of thumb is,the distance between me and them needs to be great enough for me to escape. Just encase they don’t like my admiring glances.. Otherwise they “lose” a lot of their beauty in my eyes.There are some (lets be charitable and say foolish) people that think they should keep these wild creatures as “pets”. They or their friends or relatives have a “habit” of ending up badly because of that idea.Watching that video my first thoughts were,”what on earth is that guy thinking”.And especially the one off camera with “Dave,get close to it for perspective”. I’d say,”you” get close to it for perspective.At that size,if he “did” happen to decide he didn’t want a “selfie” with you. He might want to “have you for lunch” instead (and not as a guest) . It might be a rare occurrence,but it does happen. And with my luck I’d be there when he was feeling hungry.
Well, I have to admit that I am much more weary of superior mammals (bears, panthers, boars, bobcats, while horses, bison and even feral pitbull dogs – all of which we have in FL) than reptilians who, contrary to mammals, are very, very predictable. We are lucky that here in FL our mammals also very rarely attack somebody, but I still always look over my shoulder when I hike and I always pack a .357 with me in the boonies. Frankly, bugs are much more of an issue here than bigger animals. That, and the heat :-)
Cheers!
my rule of thumb is,the distance between me and them needs to be great enough for me to escape
That is very rarely possible here. For example, last month I was hiking a narrow trail in Payne’s Prairie when three large wild horses came down barreling right at me. They stopped only about 6 feet away from me and stared at me in utter surprise. I moved to the edge of the trail and pulled out my gun (not to shoot them, but to make noise) and calmly told them (-: in Russian – in my experience all animals understand Russian :-) “you can pass, but you can’t push” (I had alligator infested water on both sides of the trail). They stared at me for, maybe, 30 seconds then turned around and, again, began galloping away at neckbreaking speed (they were clearly having fun that day). I could most definitely not avoid them. Another time, I had a gator blocking my narrow path (which is rather rare and weird). So I had to scare him away.
The reality is that it is impossible to stay at “escape distance” when you are in the wild. Besides, running is often a bad option anyway. What you want to do is remain calm, always careful, and understand the animal you are dealing with. The *vast majority* do not want to attack you and the ones which might, you probably want to confront rather than try to escape. As long as you don’t (deliberately or inadvertently) corner or startle a wild animal, you will be fine.
Dang, Saker, I *knew* there was a good reason to learn Russian!
Stop what you’re doing an start planning a trip.PS: some people do know how;-). ( http://coralcastle.com/ ) ++ to understand( coralcastle.com/store/#!/Ed-Leedskalnins-Original-Complete-Writings/p/1051855/category=330327 ) ++ essential, if you build-add water to device ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPEUdZLu7Ic )
I bet they are really beautiful. I have seen many leguans, we call them Iguanas, they absolutely sweet and extremely quiet, as if they were on a trance. It is quite easy to catch them because of this. As for snakes, I’ve also seen a couple, but they can be really dangerous, therefore it is difficult to react calmly and stay cool…
Saker,
In the wild (without firearms) I would carry a medium length katana across my back and a kukri for a knife. Nothing threatening but very effective.
While a katana or kurki would work against some (feral dogs) but for the rest of our critters they would not be enough (assuming any of our peaceful but very powerful wild animals would suddenly turn violent). Actually, a big long and strong stick would probably be more effective, because you could push an animal without hurting it. A pepper spray can also be very helpful. My 2cts. Cheers!
I carry bear spray and a $1 toy air horn from dollar tree when out. Bear spray can be used from a futher distance then pepper spray on an attacking critter with 4 legs or an idiot on 2 legs. FYI. When using the bear or pepper spray, or teaching someone else to use it, be extremely careful spraying a person that has a gun pointed toward you. The involentary reflex of their finger from being sprayed may get you shot . I actually was a wittness to this happening.
be extremely careful spraying a person that has a gun pointed toward you.
Frankly, I would not even draw a gun on somebody already pointing one at me. At that point it’s all over. You can, of course, try to get close and disarm that person or run (most criminals are terrible shots), but once you get to that point you are in deep, deep trouble.
But the air horn is a fantastic idea, at least for most critters…
cheers!
I love Nature and animals, but not the deadly ones.
What about Horses, Zebras, Donkeys, cute Hedgehogs, Elephants, Cats, Giraffes, Deers, Birds (and many more I omitted)?
As for showing off with Russian understanding deadly animals, or “dying for diving” (then this 10 minute no-breath lady went missing), or your son who is swimming with the sharks each day, beware that sometimes those animals forget that they understand Russian.
There are zillions of examples, here really only somebody who always told the same stuff:
‘Crocodile Hunter’ cameraman: Footage of Steve Irwin death is private
http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-79578401/
“”””””I’m dying.” Those were “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin’s final words, according to a cameraman who said he urged the wildlife icon to “think of his kids” and “hang on” after being stabbed by a stingray in a fatal, freak attack.”””””
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Irwin
“””””Irwin died on 4 September 2006 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary film titled Ocean’s Deadliest”””””
It is the same like climbing on buildings or surfing Express trains, then posting the video to youtube for as many as possible +1’s.
Or is there a difference?
Aren’t there enough non-deadly animals who deserve protection, care and love?
Or is it too boring to write about being friends with a Zebra? I personally do not think so, it would be very good. And then there wouldn’t be this certain Божe am I cool factor.
That sure is a nice size alligator. When I lived in Sarasota I would go out to Myakka River State Park and see a lot of them.
Interesting fact: Did you know we have alligators living outside in the San Luis Valley of Colorado? Now our gators are tough. Outside temperatures here in the valley can reach -25 F in winter. I have a lot of fun when visiting back in Florida and the subject of gators come up. Do the Google for the story. Colorado Gators. :-)
No, I did not. Amazing!!!
Thanks for the interesting news :-)
Dear The Saker,
Wow – what a big prehistoric creature – it makes you wonder sometimes what they have seen over the centuries?
On another note – would you be interested to move to Russia under the free land policy?
https://www.rt.com/business/345022-russia-far-east-free-land/
It has started…..I like the idea that the first family/ies are bee keepers – essential and dying in the “West”….looks like the Russians are planning this carefully and organically.
Rgds,
Veritas
@Veritas,
“””””On another note – would you be interested to move to Russia under the free land policy?”””””
really a very good question.
Reminds me of a children’s book “The Dragon lover”, about such a boy who collected hundreds of images of Dragons.
The Dragons in the sky saw this and wanted to thank Mr. Dragon lover for his support and decided to visit him. The Dragon lover always only collected images of Dragons – but never saw a real Dragon. When he did for the first time he almost died from a heart attack, screamingly ran away and was never seen again. It turned out he didn’t love Dragons, but only distorted depictions of Dragons. Well, that came on West-German TV in the early 80ties.
Haha, the good old times.
You’re absolutely correct about poisonous snakes. My X-brother-in-law is a surgeon, and he told me the typical rattlesnake victim is a drunk male adolescent. In FL, US-27 is a wonderful road, traversing the spine of the peninsula with none of the bullshit of the interstate highways…the real Florida.
I live in northern Delaware, and a young black bear tore up my bee-hive a couple of weeks ago. I think he could smell the honey from miles away.
I am also in Florida. It is the wild pigs that scare me. My home is surrounded by a wooded area with a canal two blocks away. Gopher turtles have bless me by chosing my yard to build their home. I can deal with the snakes, deer and botcats, just not the wild pigs. lol No matter how darn cute they are.
Thank you Saker for your page. Sadly, finding a source I respect that is trustworthy and factual is almost impossible.
wild pigs that scare me
does the $1 toy air horn not freak them out? I hear that they are very cautious.
Gopher turtles
Their dens can contains Eastern Diamonbacks, so be careful (though DB are really very peaceful and will try hard to avoid you).
Thanks for your kind words :-)
Very very cool, what a great and interesting looking creature. Living in Canada we have none. I love running into natures larger creations on walks, like elk, moose, black bear. Not so much with griz though as they can be unpredictable and are used to being master to all in the forests and mountains. Generally with wild animals if you pose no threat they reciprocate.
Love this!
Yep gators aren’t too scary unless you are a small yappy dog who likes to bark at anything bigger than yourself. Then I would stay indoors in Florida as much as possible. Or else do your owner’s and neighbors a favor and sacrifice yourself for the greater good of peace and quiet in the community.
Alligators are usually not dangerous is that they are cold blooded. Cold blooded animals do not need food as often as warm blooded animals. So one is taking a chance when one sees a walking alligators coming close to you. He might have be hungry and maybe he isn’t hungry. It not worth taking a chance by getting close to alligators.