A Wonderful, Wild, Discovery!

If you've been following this blog, you know how diligently I have searched for alligators in the wild all during the month of February in South Carolina and Florida.  Then, my brother, Don, told me, from his home in Port St. Lucie, in southern Florida, USA, that "alligators don't become active until the temperature is at least 85 degrees."  Well, yesterday, it was around 70 degrees when Rosemary and Peggy went biking and I went walking on the beach.  And they actually saw a live alligator!  I am so jealous!  But they took a photo for me; it was approximately two-and-a-half feet long, Rosemary reports. Peggy added, "It was between the sidewalk and the road!"

Alligator in Hilton Head Island, 3/29/14.

Sunlight peeping into the courtyard outside Peggy's condo in Hilton Head this morning, 3/30/14.

Sunrise over Hilton Head beach, taken by Rosemary & Pedro, 3/30/14.

Peggy, Rosemary and I attended Holy Family Catholic Church for Mass this morning.  This is a scene of the Holy Family in the Church yard.  Father gave an inspiring sermon about Jesus healing the blind man.

Large crucifix behind the main altar at Holy Family Church, Hilton Head Island.

After Mass, the three of us decided to go for lunch at the Salty Dog Cafe on South Beach.  Look what I spotted along the side of the road in the shade: a BIG ALLIGATOR!!  I was so thrilled I asked Peggy to turn the car around so I could snap this photo.  It must have been six or seven feet long!  Fortunately, it was on the other side of a water-filled ditch.

BIG!!!

Then we noticed seven small alligators in the water in the ditch, approximately 12 to 18 inches long.  They were not very active and all had yellow stripes.

We took a few steps back to where "Mama" alligator was and noticed at least six more small alligators to the left, in the shade!  All were motionless.

At last, I had seen not only one alligator, but many!  I returned back to Peggy's car, extremely thrilled!

Once at the Salty Dog Cafe, we had a long wait but enjoyed strolling around the harbor and window shopping in the stores.

The tide was going out of the harbor and much shore was revealed.

The live entertainment was most enjoyable, as was the sunshine and breezes.

From left, Rosemary, Peggy, and me, Jan, at the Salty Dog Cafe after our very tasty fish & chips.

Colorful blue and gold parrots - large! - in the shopping area courtyard.

After shopping, we went home to Peggy's condo to watch our beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats win another game in the NCAA tournament!!!  We were almost hoarse from cheering!  There was still time for watching an old movie and then - bed!  - we were tired from a busy day.