Evening of 1st Day of Summer 2013 at Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

The afternoon of the 1st day of summer 2013 contained heavy rain, thunder and lightening .We had planned to meet with friends to cycle at Circle B Bar Reserve that evening but had doubts initially that the rains would subside. After waiting it out a bit, we decided to go even as the rain drizzled. We are SO glad we did. Enjoy what we got to see in person.

Opposum on Alligator Alley

After living in Florida 3 years, this is my first viewing of a live Opposum

Viewed from the Observation Deck at Lake Hancock (off Alligator Alley)

Lake Hancock 7 pm

4 of us rode our mountain bikes around the reserve

Gators from a distance, thus the lack of sharpness & clarity of photos

ALONG ALLIGATOR ALLEY

My husband at the lakeside

A pretty view of the sun reflecting the clouds onto the water

We are always on the lookout for gators in the marsh

RIDING TOWARDS WHERE WE WOULD SEE THE SUN SETTING OVER THE MARSH

ON WADING BIRD WAY

Tricolored Heron

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron on the marsh

View of the Marsh

The 1st sunset of Summer 2013 seen on the marsh at Wading Bird Way

The sunset viewed through my bike mirror

Final vestiges of Summer 2013's 1st sunset 

Enjoying scenes like these are best when shared with friends

Thanks Bob (Hubby), Lisa Marie & Karl (Newlyweds)!

Who Made Gator Bits of This Gator's Tail? @ Circle B Bar Reserve

Circle B Bar Reserve is a 1.267 acre property located at 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland, 33803 and is a FAVORITE spot for my husband and I and we find ourselves there frequently on our trail bikes as we like to combine exercise with nature watching & photography.

On a very chilly and windy day, Saturday, March 2, 2013, we were hiking around Lake Hancock on Alligator Alley with Canadian Friends when we saw this large gator on the Marsh side, partially hidden by a tree. The most notable feature was the end portion of the tail, rather the lack of the end portion of the tail. We wondered who or what had made gator bits of this gator's tail!