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Snap! Take a look at the alligator I captured on film this morning!

By
Real Estate Agent with Front Gate Real Estate Broker 11085

This morning as I walked out, no as I started to walk out, onto the balcony of my waterfront condo, I hesitated for just a moment as something unusual caught my eye.

In the water below me, I saw what looked like a large alligator with mouth wide open perched just off the rocks. Trembling, my first thought was "How am I going to get past this thing?", followed quickly by "Should I call animal control?"

Then, gathering my wits about me, I did what any serious blogger would do. I grabbed my camera!

Snap, snap! (Pun intended!)

I decided if it WAS a gator, I could quickly scamper back up the steps. Slowly, I gathered the courage to descend the staircase. After all, I'd never SEEN an alligator on this part of the reservoir, despite the heavy rains Jackson has experienced over the last several days. Anything was possible.

Alligator all rights reserved

Can you make it out? Do you see what I saw?

OK. Here's the truth. Upon closer inspection, it wasn't an alligator at all, but a large piece (about 20 feet) of driftwood. It was realistic looking enough to get my adrenaline pumping this morning.

What do you think? Doesn't it look real to you?

 

 

Comments (13)

Ralph Haseltine
Carol Stream, IL

LOL...it sure does...but be careful, I once had a client who asked me to do some photography for them and they did mention some wild life being in the area, I ran into this character and he had FRIENDS!...well, I got the shoot done, but as it was getting late in the day, I got what I needed and got OUT!...lol...it CAN be an eye opening experience!Gator

Mar 27, 2009 09:16 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Pat, That's a pretty funny picture. You do have to look twice to see it's not a gator. Rich

Mar 27, 2009 10:05 AM
Lori Churchill Cofer
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Hey, I thought it was real.....amazing piece of driftwood....my adrenaline would be going too!

Mar 27, 2009 10:12 AM
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Looks real enough to me to stay away until I was sure.  After spending about a 1/4 of my life in Fla. I definitely look before I leap.

Mar 27, 2009 10:30 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Pat:  I would have been fooled too...in fact I was!  I totally thought that was a gator.  Of course, when it doesn't move I guess I'd eventually figure it out.

Mar 27, 2009 11:23 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

OMG, Ralph! Your gator is MUCH BIGGER than mine! But they are facing the same direction.

Rich: I showed the photo to friends at lunch and they instantly said "yep, that's a gator!"

Mar 27, 2009 12:13 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Lori: the "gator" is still there and everyone who sees it is fooled.

Jack: Yes, I crept down the stairs very carefully, ready to LEAP in an instant. (as if I could move fast enough!)

Chris Ann: Funny thing, it does move with the motion of the waves! It weaves and bobs...creepy!

Mar 27, 2009 12:16 PM
Denise Gray
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Realtor SRES, Wichita Kansas Homes

Great way to keep people away. I think you should put a spot light on it at night.

Mar 27, 2009 05:00 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Now that you mention it, there ARE a couple of people I'd like to run off!

Mar 28, 2009 05:32 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I would not have known it wasn't a gator if you hadn't told us.  Very realistic.  I'm impressed you were so brave when you thought it was real.  What we won't do for a photo for our blog, huh!

Mar 28, 2009 08:53 AM
Jeffrey Dillon
The Dillon Team, Front Gate Realty - Madison, MS
Front Gate Realty

You could have called Elvis to the rescue! I would have gotten it!  It does look real though Pat, and you had me fooled!  Happy April Fools!

Apr 01, 2009 04:43 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Sharon, I guess I could have saved it for "April Fool's Day"!

Jeffrey, would you have come over to wrestle the gator for me? Another photo opp!

Apr 02, 2009 09:13 AM
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

Pat, Even looking twice, I still would think Gator if not for your tip off!

Ginger

Apr 07, 2009 11:17 AM