Alligators in Charlotte County (Country Club, Naples: to live in, dangerous, club)

[RexLan]

They are tasty too .....



Alligator Mardi Gras

• 12-16 ounces Alligator meat (or any fish – crab)
• ¼ cup green onion, chopped (or Yellow/Red)
• ¼ cup fresh green herbs, chopped
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ cup celery, chopped fine
• 1 egg (binder)
• ¼ cup sweet pepper –red/green,
chopped fine
• 2 Tbs mayonnaise
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 Tbs lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs for mixing (can sub 8 saltine crackers crushed fine)
• 1 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)


Directions
1. Grind the Alligator meat through a medium fine (5mm) plate one time.
2. Combine all ingredients except the Panco in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
3. Divide mixture into equal portion balls using a packed 1/8 cup measure.
4. Roll each ball into more seasoned bread crumbs and then into the Panko. Be sure they are well covered.
5. Set the finished balls aside on a tray – refrigerate for one hour (or more if made in advance)
6. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 350 degrees F or about ½ “ of oil in a hot skillet. Fry until golden and crisp.[LEFT]

Read more: Alligator Mardi Gras

[mr&mrssunshine]

yikes that's a 12-13 footer

[RexLan]

Yep ... my buddy .. catch them in a small john boat with a pole and hook, at night.

I'm the cook !

[the searchers]

Research by the the University of Florida and National Geographic's Crittercam program has shifted assumptions about their eating habits. The groups outfitted 15 adult gators in coastal Florida with the "Crittercams" -- essentially wildlife cameras that are attached to the animals themselves -- and they've provided unprecedented footage of gator behavior both above and underwater.

The cameras showed the reptiles hunting most often at night, with the best foraging success between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. and when submerged underwater, according to the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, footage showed gators feasting on smaller prey like turtles and crayfish, rather than bigger mammals that they're assumed to eat. This is the first time this behavior has been documented in wild American alligators and will help scientists better understand their behavior, explained ScienceDaily

Alligator Crittercams Offer Unprecedented Look Into Reptiles' Lives (VIDEO)

[SoFLGal]

If you want to see hoards of gators, take a kayak out in the Myakka River in May (alligator mating season). There are hundreds and hundreds. Another idea, if you want a real upclose encounter, is to go out with my good friend and fifth generation Floridian- Jamie Hooks. Take his advanced trip down the Myakka and you're sure to see a good amount jamie-hooks-outdoors When I was a kid we used to swim in the Myakka every summer. I don't recommend that.

You can find them in just about ever water trap on golf courses, retention ponds and brackish rivers. During the warmer months they tend to spend a great deal of time in the water submerging themselves for hours to cool off. In the winter, on warm sunny days, you'll often spot them hanging out on the banks of small ponds or rivers but your best bet for spotting at gator is probably to visit the Myakka River State Park. If you want a guaranteed sighting, visit Jungle Gardens in Sarasota and go during gator feeding times.

Good luck with your quest.

[kyjake39]

Ollie's Pond

[the searchers]

Here is an example of a guy with no common sense.

Will try to not make it sideways as it is a portrait type shot.

[the searchers]

Anybody got any hints on how I could prevent that sideway posting?

Thanks

[the searchers]

Behind the gators is the clubhouse. These two seem to be there most every day either in the people's yards or on the common property near the pool. Usually they are not this close together.

[ByeByeLW]

There's a gator at Wakodahatchee (Delray) who is a monster. Seeing him walk across the berm is like being at Jurassic Park irl.