[Best Mom]

Travel and Sam,
Don't worry about your gators. They said it was just because of the miniature sailboat club that meets twice a week using this pond. :bigthumbsup:

Sam,
Computer problem...couldn't log on. Administrators worked very hard to get me back on...and had to wipe me out and start over.

[chuckster]

[quote=mcelheny ]
Travel and Sam,
Don't worry about your gators. They said it was just because of the miniature sailboat club that meets twice a week using this pond. :bigthumbsup:



I think that means (take away) another gator killed as happened several years ago nearby. Maybe the sailors can find another pond and we can keep our "native gators" that have yet to bother anyone.

[chelsea24]

I'm with you on this one Chuckster. I don't like when society in general clears a path for itself no matter who or what it hurts. I abhor hunting in any form. Let the dweebs go play with their sailboats elsewhere. Leave the gators alone! Just my opinion.

[tony]

Are you saying only dweebs have sailboats?
???

[travelstiles]

oh, and did I say ?

We were driving by the lake near Spanish Springs today and once again I saw an adult with a young child fishing, and they were both up to their shins in the lake! And if an alligator harmed them in any way, we'd see the gators go the way of the buffalo.

With all the complaints so many people have about the younger generation, what are these "adults" thinking to come to an area where it's a natural habitat for alligators and think we can build, fish, boat and sail in their environment and not expect them to defend their turf!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by travel

With all the complaints so many people have about the younger generation, what are these "adults" thinking to come to an area where it's is a natural habitat for alligators and think we can build, fish, boat and sail in their environment and not expect them to defend their turf!

Trav, well said!

I'm from Canada, and even I know that where there is water in Florida, there can be gators. For heavens sake folks, keep young children and dogs away from water!!

[Best Mom]

It is difficult to be nature lovers when buying into a huge
housing development that clear-cuts trees and bulldozes hundreds of acres of land, disturbing the natural ecology of an area. I feel sorry that the alligator had to be killed, but the developer makes that decision vs. trapping. You know this must be happening on the golf courses as well.

There are developments that try to take the opposite tack by limiting the number of houses, keeping the trees and not disturbing the wildlife. They have park-like settings, and there is much more natural beauty there.

These ponds are also a haven for a wide variety of beautiful birds, which end up being food for the alligators. When one is in a pond the birds disappear or have become lunch.

[chelsea24]

Hi Tony, no not only dweebs have sailboats, dorks do to!. LOLOLOL :joke: Kidding, love to watch sailboats but not where there are gators. Then it's no contest. Gators stay, "man" finds another pond or lake.

Mc, I think the developer has done a splendid job with it's wildlife preserves. You seem to be down on the developer quite a bit. Coming from the midwest, I'm in awe at all the natural beauty they have managed to preserve. You can't really compare natural predators with the destruction "man" can cause.

Man is the only species that kills for pleasure.

***A little off topic, but please all rent The Planet Earth (4 discs) It's absolutely stunning.

[samhass]

Originally Posted by travel

You must be kidding!!!!!!!!!Are those people brain freaking dead?? You have to assume that all bodies of water in central Florida contain alligators. Lose your ball around the 6th hole on Riley? Better watch for George, a real big boy that hangs back there. Chomp. :yikes: :yikes:




oh, and did I say ?

We were driving by the lake near Spanish Springs today and once again I saw an adult with a young child fishing, and they were both up to their shins in the lake! And if an alligator harmed them in any way, we'd see the gators go the way of the buffalo.

With all the complaints so many people have about the younger generation, what are these "adults" thinking to come to an area where it's a natural habitat for alligators and think we can build, fish, boat and sail in their environment and not expect them to defend their turf!

[ConeyIsBabe]

mcelheny........ THANK YOU for the heads up regarding rats and alligators in TV. Sure, I'm only a wannabee but I read the positive remarks about life in America's Friendliest Hometown and I appreciate even more those issues regarding problems in TV.

All those years of living in Miami-Dade County I've heard numerous stories of alligators in canals grabbing small children and pets. The threat is real and I appreciate your posting this thread to inform others :bigthumbsup:

[renielarson]

I don't think this is an issue exclusive to The Villages. I tend to believe it's an issue throughout Florida and I would assume many other southern states.

Am I correct with my assumption?

[samhass]

Bright, you are correct. I know many people live here and have not seen gators. Living on the water has allowed me to see many gators.
I introduced Bright to Markets of Marion today. As we came back home, I pointed out a big gator just down from my house. He was catching rays on the bank. He is not to be confused with Big George. BG comes up behind a home two doors down from me.
I really shudder to think of anyone standing knee deep in a local lake with a child. I know gators are supposed to fear us, but why take the chance?

[Boomer]

I have been running around on this site for awhile and if you have read some of the stuff I write, you may know that I am madly, wildly, secretly in love with Carl Hiaasen. If you read my man Carl, you know that he is a Florida native and quite the defender of Florida's creatures and Florida's natural beauty. If Hiaasen ever hears about TOTV, he will find the plot of a new bestseller right here. If only he knew that if he happens to be suffering with a bout of writer's block, he need only come here, to TOTV. Or to TV, the gatored community. And Carl H. is old enough to live in TV.

I found another song about alligators. And I wanted to give it to our writers over on the "Neverending Story" in case they wanted to make it a musical or something. Then my youtube feed kept jumping around so I just ditched the post. But I tried it again, and it seems fine.

You have probably never heard this one before. But it has a good beat and you could dance to it. I do have one concern about it though. I hope no one from the posse that is out looking for those gators hears it. I believe that the lyrics make the gators sound a little bad. Perhaps they are a little anti-gator. But the song is catchy and fun to listen to and it rocks a little.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWrGjiAJyI

Oh, and you might want to crank it up.

Boomer

[Best Mom]

Originally Posted by mcelheny

It is difficult to be nature lovers when buying into a huge
housing development that clear-cuts trees and bulldozes hundreds of acres of land, disturbing the natural ecology of an area. I feel sorry that the alligator had to be killed, but the developer makes that decision vs. trapping. You know this must be happening on the golf courses as well.

There are developments that try to take the opposite tack by limiting the number of houses, keeping the trees and not disturbing the wildlife. They have park-like settings, and there is much more natural beauty there.

These ponds are also a haven for a wide variety of beautiful birds, which end up being food for the alligators. When one is in a pond the birds disappear or have become lunch.

That says it all.

Cutting down trees and scraping top soil has no regard for nature. That kills and makes all animals homeless. If you care about all animals, you treat the earth with respect. I cried for two days when they cut down the 2 trees left across the road and all those little creatures lost their homes and shade. Natural trees and natural lakes should be respected.

The developer advertises fishing and gives out free fishing poles at Spanish Springs.!!!! He uses the sailing club in his DVD. !!!!

The sailors and I were not happy with the killing. We thought the gator would of been trapped and moved.
Enough said

[samhass]

Yeah mc, I don't think they move the larger animals. I think they are euthanized. I really think they (gators) are amazing. Of course one hasn't come out of the water and tried to get me yet. Might change my mind then. ;D