Alligator on the beach (Photos)

Last year I posted that I saw Jessica Simpson at Bud and Alley's and the paparazzi contacted me for more info. Apparently, our gator and his story have a national appeal too.

A reporter contacted me and wants to know if he can utilize my photos and interview me for a story to run in the Washington DC area.

Without overanalyzing this I am inclined to give him whatever he wants.

That said, do you guys think this is contributing to what could end up being a story that could end up being harmful to tourism or at least that has the potential to scare masses of people?

Sharks, gators and snakes seem to bring out irrational emotions/fears.

Let me know your thoughts. I haven't responded yet to the reporter's request.

G

This is exactly how the media frenzy started around my cousin catching that 844 pound Mako a while back. It ran locally and, then, nationally. That's where it exploded.

I'm not saying the same will happen, but you might want to consider what might happen if the AP press runs with it...

I'm the reporter in question -- and a part-time resident in SoWal. I just think its unusual -- and a great image. The folks at the Daily News have already agreed to let us use their photos -- so this is gravy. But Really, Geo --you got the best pics.

I hope you'll agree to let me use them because it's a great, offbeat, item that people will talk abotu for a long long time.

bdub

National Geo-graphic

Geo...hold out for OK Magazine or National Geo-graphic.

You can really tell how big this gator is when he/she is on the back of that pickup truck. In one of the pictures it looks like he's getting handcuffed. I guess he really was.

I'm the reporter in question -- and a part-time resident in SoWal. I just think its unusual -- and a great image. The folks at the Daily News have already agreed to let us use their photos -- so this is gravy. But Really, Geo --you got the best pics.

I hope you'll agree to let me use them because it's a great, offbeat, item that people will talk abotu for a long long time.

bdub

Bdub... as in BW.... as in Bob Woodward? Is Geo the next deepthroat? Just having some fun... Carry on!

yes -- you're on to me now. Hafta go -- Carl Bernstein on line two.

yes -- you're on to me now. Hafta go -- Carl Bernstein on line two.

Love the sense of humor

If I may, I would recommend meeting at the parking garage at the Sanctuary at Redfish in Blue Mountain as it's near to the middle of 30-A and is relatively empty all the time.

Last year I posted that I saw Jessica Simpson at Bud and Alley's and the paparazzi contacted me for more info. Apparently, our gator and his story have a national appeal too.

A reporter contacted me and wants to know if he can utilize my photos and interview me for a story to run in the Washington DC area.

Without overanalyzing this I am inclined to give him whatever he wants.

That said, do you guys think this is contributing to what could end up being a story that could end up being harmful to tourism or at least that has the potential to scare masses of people?

Sharks, gators and snakes seem to bring out irrational emotions/fears.

Let me know your thoughts. I haven't responded yet to the reporter's request.

G

Hard call, anytime you deal with the public you are going to get opposing views and some will feel very strongly about those views even to the point of being rude in trying to shove their view down your throat.

Some will think saving the Gator is the thing to do and some will see him as nuisance that has the potentional to harm pets and children and even adults and needs to be destroyed before that happens.

Just don't be shocked at the reaction you may recieve.

Hard call, anytime you deal with the public you are going to get opposing views and some will feel very strongly about those views even to the point of being rude in trying to shove their view down your throat.

Some will think saving the Gator is the thing to do and some will see him as nuisance that has the potentional to harm pets and children and even adults and needs to be destroyed before that happens.

Just don't be shocked at the reaction you may recieve.

At that risk of being rude and shoving my view down anyone's throat. I feel very strongly about my view. I do not see the need to destroy any living creature that is NOT harming anyone. I am not a lover of rats, snakes, spiders, or anything else that could possibly harm me. But I also don't want them all destroyed just because some may see them as a "nuisance" and could possibly hurt me or anyone else. I guess these same people would want all the sharks in the ocean destroyed as well, before they hurt someone. I just don't get it. Hell, I was attacked by a monkey, but I didn't want him destroyed. Still don't.

At that risk of being rude and shoving my view down anyone's throat. I feel very strongly about my view. I do not see the need to destroy any living creature that is NOT harming anyone. I am not a lover of rats, snakes, spiders, or anything else that could possibly harm me. But I also don't want them all destroyed just because some may see them as a "nuisance" and could possibly hurt me or anyone else. I guess these same people would want all the sharks in the ocean destroyed as well, before they hurt someone. I just don't get it. Hell, I was attacked by a monkey, but I didn't want him destroyed. Still don't.

You are not being rude at all and my reference truly does not include anyone that has posted to this forum. It was simply a reference about what can happen when a local story goes national, nothing more. I had already stated I hope they save the gator.

At that risk of being rude and shoving my view down anyone's throat. I feel very strongly about my view. I do not see the need to destroy any living creature that is NOT harming anyone. I am not a lover of rats, snakes, spiders, or anything else that could possibly harm me. But I also don't want them all destroyed just because some may see them as a "nuisance" and could possibly hurt me or anyone else. I guess these same people would want all the sharks in the ocean destroyed as well, before they hurt someone. I just don't get it. Hell, I was attacked by a monkey, but I didn't want him destroyed. Still don't.

I don't mean to sound rude, either...
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...but I still laugh whenever I think about you being attacked by that tiny monkey! :funn:

My turn...FTLOC!

My turn...FTLOC!

I am counting the days until I can sit on the cod balcony.

Monkeys and other discussions aside ... I'm sorry what seemed like a simple request has turned into a big debate. Look, we're going to run something on the story one way or the other. Not a big story ...not a sensational story .. but a small little story that says, "hey can you believe this?" It's interesting. The only question remaining is whether we will have the best pictures and I'm hoping Mr. Geo will allow us to use his images.

I -- like you -- have a great affection for the 30A corridor and the beaches of South Walton County. I own a house there. I have no interest if scaring off tourists -- or freaking people out. I do have in interest in showing my audience something that fascinated me and that I had never seen before. Like you -- I'm pretty sure they are going to find it interesting.

All the best gang -- I'll be back down among you in just a few more days. Can't wait.

bdub

Give him the photos. I would think that the emphasis will be more on saving the big guy rather than scaring tourists. Letting the public know that these animals getting killed, rather than rescued........ might make a difference. I can't begin to imagine how many gators on golf courses and other places get hauled off and killed instead of set free.........NOT FAIR! Save the gators! If they are being aggressive and harming people or doggies and kitties, that might be different. But when they are minding their own business..... they don't deserve to die.

So I gave the guy permission to use my photos. He seems like a nice guy. he has a place in the area and seems to have good intentions.

They are doing a 2 minute segment on our gator this Saturday afternoon on The Fox News Channel. He asked if they could interview me live but I can't do it because my son has a baseball game. I think my friend Keen (who was right there with me when I took the pics) is going to do the interview. I have no doubt that he will help ensure our area is presented in a positive light. Also- he is all for saving the gator.

So I gave the guy permission to use my photos. He seems like a nice guy. he has a place in the area and seems to have good intentions.

They are doing a 2 minute segment on our gator this Saturday afternoon on The Fox News Channel. He asked if they could interview me live but I can't do it because my son has a baseball game. I think my friend Keen (who was right there with me when I took the pics) is going to do the interview. I have no doubt that he will help ensure we are presented in a positive light. Also- he is all for saving the gator.

Oh great- now you are famous and we will have to give you the chair of honor at Koffee Klatch.:roll:;-)

And for what it is worth, I don't think there will be any tourists canceling their vacation plans after hearing about an alligator at the beach. If anything, it might bring more people here!

Maybe the writer can compare the number of gator "attacks" to dog attacks in the US, to try and get the message across that we don't have to kill everything that potentially causes a threat. In reality, gators probably cause more fear than threat. Automobiles driven by wreckless drivers cause threats, and numerous deaths, but we don't "re-locate" all automobiles, having more than 80 horsepower, to the junk yard.

yay! Geo is a fine American. Appreciate your willingness to let us use the pics. Thanks all for the interesting discussion. and I really will see you all before long. I'll be the guy on Camp Creek Lake in the yellow kayak looking over his shoulder for gators.

bdub

Don't worry, bdub, no gators on Camp Creek Lake. They have all been relocated to the meat locker.

I had one of my great ideas today - relocate the gator to PROMINENCE! He'd have his own freshwater pond and would be far from people!

Monkeys and other discussions aside ... I'm sorry what seemed like a simple request has turned into a big debate.

bdub

My dear new friend,

All of our threads tend toward monkeys, debates, and other discussions. It's our raison d'etre...

Happy publishing,

Noitall

How cute to see him frolicking in the surf - from a distance, that is. He must have romped right out of Drapper Lake where Sweet Pea likes to swim sometimes!

Seems like someone told me a couple of years ago they had spied an alligator and Sweet Pea is no longer allowed there - she'd be a meal for a gator like that.

Hope all is well and groovy now~~~~~~~~~~

I digg alligator meat - yummy!

My dear new friend,

All of our threads tend toward monkeys, debates, and other discussions. It's our raison d'etre...

Happy publishing,

Noitall

Noitall said itall.

yay! Geo is a fine American. Appreciate your willingness to let us use the pics. Thanks all for the interesting discussion. and I really will see you all before long. I'll be the guy on Camp Creek Lake in the yellow kayak looking over his shoulder for gators.

bdub

I should tell you one of my favorite rounds of golf at the Camp Creek golf course was when there was this cute little gator on a back nine par 3. The trick was to get the ball on the opposite side of where gator on the green was sunning. Mission accomplished. Chipped up and then got the ball in the hole. Retrieved and went on with my game. Left gator alone.

Hey Geo, Like your new Avatar. Cute pic.

I think this is about to be on Fox News. They just showed a section of the beach that looks right and said they're about to show us pictures of something we've probably never seen on the beach before.