Meet my neighbor.
I had heard that there was crocodile near my house. But until this week, I had not spotted him. For all I know, he spotted me long ago. (I say "he" simply because I do not know how to tell the sex of crocodiles, and I am not going to get close enough to tell the difference. I hope.)
My land lady told me that he had a regular sunning spot just outside my garden gate. I had never seen him there.
She also told me that he had another sunning spot a bit further down the malecon.
On one of our rainy days, I decided to see if he was in the other spot. Please note. My land lady clearly stated "sunning" spot, and I start my expedition in the rain. It is a wonder that you folks get to see anything on these pages.
I had just stepped out of my gate when I saw what seemed to be a large shape on the verge of the water hyacinths. I would say it looked like a log, but that would be a cliché. What it looked like was -- a small crocodile.
And it was. Just as I pulled my camera up, it submerged. Apparently, crocodiles have better survival instincts than photographers.
But I was patient. He surfaced, raised his head, and gulped down what I assumed was lunch.
As a result, you get to see what I thought I would not see. A dining crocodile.
For those of you who come visit, we will do our best to reenact the segment.
wow-that is a great shot! how close were you to him? don't forget those critters are pretty
ReplyDeletefast on land.
hope you're feeling better.
have a great weekend.
teresa
Amazing! I'll never complain about my neighbors again.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco
That is a good picture, Steve. You selected your camera well.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a winning smile! Let's hope he stays outside your garden gate and doesn't wander inside.
ReplyDeleteSince the malecon I've seen fewer crocodiles ... maybe because the shore used to be their nesting and sunning area
ReplyDeleteHere's a cocodrilo story for those that have not seen it.
http://sparks-mexico.com/costalegre/ecology/cocodrillos/index.htm
He might be a full grown Caiman rather than a small croc. Either way, he is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI tripped over one in Zihuatanejo one evening. It was just after sunset. He must have come up from the lagoon to warm himself on the walkway back to our room. When I turned to see what I had stumbled on he turned to see who had disturbed his nap. We both just held our breath and stared. I went into the room and grabbed my sweater then took the other route back to the beach.
I think I'll skip that part of the tour!
ReplyDeleteTeresa -- I was about 50 feet away on the top of the malecon. Feeling a bit better. Really tired.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco -- At least this guy is a quiet neighbor.
Al -- You are correct. With my old camera, I would have had nothing but blur.
1st Mate -- Unless he develops an opposable thumb and finds a key, I should be OK.
El Jubilado -- I thought you would enjoy the tale. Considering where I live and the size of this guy, I thought he might be one of your hatchlings all grown up.
Chrissy -- Good story. I try to stay off the malecon at night. But it is a very beautiful spot, and I succumb now and then.
Isalgringo -- But I thought that was where we would start.
I have heard of alligators on the verge of tears, but never on the verge of water hyacinths. I can imagine the circumstances that might make an alligator cry, but for the life of me, I cannot imagine either the motivation for or the efficient cause of its becoming a water flower.
ReplyDeleteA perhaps too great pre-occupation with its sense of self-beauty?
A N M
The alligator looking dour,
imagines itself a dainty flower.
Its surface deceives the eye,
in truth, not what we espy.
No lumpy grumpy bumpy teeth of terror,
just beauty that it wants to share.
Come closer said he to the human,
chewing deep and adding cumin.
That is a great picture. He looks pretty big to me. You be careful. Crocodiles can travel 45 miles an hour on land.
ReplyDeleteMom
ANM -- When I wrote the phrase, I knew I would be having a conversation with you about it. In parts British, "verge" is what you colonials refer to as a "shoulder." In this instance, a poetic use of the term. In the alternative, it simply means what most Americans think it means "on the outer rim of something" -- like water hyacinths.
ReplyDeleteBut, professor, I did like the ditty.
Mom -- I knew you would even know the speed. But the danger was slight. He was in the water. I was on land. Of course, he could easily have cut me off from getting back to my gate. But that is the fun of having a slightly dangerous pet.
I have spent a bit of time catching up and found you will be USA bound beginning in May. Sounds like a great place to be while you plan the next stage of your MX adventure.
ReplyDeleteI have not been able to visit my blogger friends at all since leaving MX. It is just too hard.
I am planning & hoping for a 4 week Mexico return in June. Same area. We will enroll Oldest Son & Youngest Son for 2 weeks in their old school.
We are all healthy, happy and well. Kids have adjusted to being back in USA a bit better than Husband and me.
I think I will be able to blog again ... for that time in June.
Till Later ...
looks like your mom and i think alike. glad you're feeling better. it does wear you out though so i can understand your being tired. i've had my cold for a week and steve for 12 days. he finally went to the doctor yesterday and was given antibiotics and an inhaler.
ReplyDeletetake care and don't overdo it till you're totally well. then go out and live it up.
I hear we have neighbors like him too, we're in our RV at the Laguna Del Tule. Someone said the reason we have no stray dogs hanging around here is because of the crocs, not sure if that was a joke or not...
ReplyDeleteHey have a look at our blog www.adinaandron.blogspot.com
Adina
AMM -- Nice to see you back in bloglandia. I am looking forward to my sabbatical up north. And then to more adventures in Mexico. But I am sorry I will miss your stay down this way. It would have been nice to have had a mini-reunion. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteTeresa -- My cold has returned with a vengance. The trip to LA should prove to be a bit more challenging than I had planned.
Adina -- The crocs are fond of stray pets. But Cisco's Amigos have done far more to reduce the stray population than have the crocs. Unfortunately, the crocs are greatly endangered by what we have done to the laguna.