#floridaproblems: June 5, 2013

Here we are at Lakewood Park a week ago, enjoying a picnic supper and waiting for a rocket launch that was scheduled but never happened.  A sign next to the lake says "Beware of Alligators", but until now I never believed it.

This guy was found swimming in our neighborhood last week.  That's right.  A nine-foot alligator tried to take up residence in the lake where we take our nightly walks.  It gives me chills wondering how close he actually got to us, evaluating the tasty little morsels we pull around in a wagon and the other one we're constantly admonishing about getting too close to the water.

Animal control was called to wrestle him out.

Our neighbors looked on like extras on the set of Animal Planet.

This was the last view they got of our new neighbor.  Apparently if they're too big they can't release them back into the wild.  I have to admit I'm not a bit sad contemplating his demise.  I hope he makes a really good steak.

This is why.  Donald and Daisy were beloved residents of Citrus Springs for five years.  A mated pair, they swam in the lake and were never seen more than five feet apart from each other.

Devon loved to feed the ducks as Carrie and Melina looked on.

Melina's first word was even "duck".  She said it one night as they swam towards us ready to be fed.

I knew something was wrong when I saw Donald sitting dejectedly in the middle of the sidewalk on our nightly walk.  A neighbor filled us in.  The alligator ate Daisy.  We stood on the sidewalk and mourned that duck like it was one of our own. More than that, it was heartbreaking to contemplate Donald pining to death for his lost mate.

As it turns out, you really can find anything on Craigslist.

Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel made the lake their permanent home this week.  When I heard they arrived, Devon insisted that despite the rain we get umbrellas and go meet the "brand new ducks".

As you can see, poor Donald is still the odd man out, but we are encouraged by their proximity and hope that the presence of other ducks will give him some comfort.  Hopefully the five will become good friends. 

Meanwhile, Bubble Gator joined our household this week.