Sunning on a Log

On Friday, January 20th, we took a three hour tour on the River Queen, an ecological boat trip on the Indian and Sebastian Rivers. Along the way, we saw this gator sunning on a log. It is just a baby, four or five feet long but with plenty of bite. Glad that we were safely inside the boat.

The tour started at Captain Hirams Beach Resort, after a great lunch at a waterside cafe. We did a bit of shopping, too. Mel bought me early Valentine gifts of sterling silver and abalone shell sailboat necklace and earrings plus a sterling and gold sea turtle cuff bracelet. I will forever remember our beloved Florida when I don the jewelry.

We had a fantastic guide for the tour. Captain Bill is a former merchant marine captain from New England. His love of the sea lead him to become a marine biologist. He taught marine biology at a local university. Now that he is retired he runs the tour boat and gives wonderful lectures about the flora and fauna in the area.

We learned many things about the ecology of the area. A most interesting fact is that the Sebastian-Vero Beach area is the dividing line for the Temperate and Tropical Zones. How can one tell? By observing the mangroves. Only certain types grow in the Temperate zone versus the Tropical zone and vice versa. Fascinating!