While not a scientist, I am a student of nature. And while "man" (read scientists) continue the project of labeling everything that exists in "his" world, perhaps it is time to employ a more natural thought process when dealing with nature. That is, "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it just might be a duck." One of the most asked paddling questions in my little part of the world (NE Fl) is, "What about the gators?" How this relates is this. I have never personally been confronted by a gator but have heard stories of boats being "nuzzled" around by big boys. Mainly during mating season. From under the water, the underside of a yellow or white hull would resemble the size, shape and color of a potential mate or competitor. It is not difficult to make the leap to other aquatic animals. My advice to paddlers during gator mating season is to avoid confrontation in the three "F's." Don't come between an animal and its food, family or f(hmmm. I can't remember the third "F.") "Oh, well, never mind." EL Bruce (St. Aug) Whole Earth Outfitters *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Sep 21 1999 - 05:54:34 PDT
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