La Chua Trail

Last week I turned in my Nature Writing final which finished up my second graduate course in Florida Studies. Needless to say, I feel I did pretty terrible on it. Who wants to read an amateur rant about nature observations?
To celebrate the completion of a very difficult semester, Ariel asked me if I wanted to cruise the La Chua trail last Saturday. I couldn't resist: it's one of my favorite rides in the state. And just like our last ride down this trail, it ended up being pretty eventful. Highlights were; chasing a wild turkey to get the crappy photo below, seeing an 8 to 9ft alligator lumber out of a marsh to devour some lunch, and my friend Andrew almost getting T-boned by a deer crossing our bike path.
Here are some photos.
(Above...cactus were in bloom)

My crappy, photo of a wild turkey. You don't have to believe it...but I know what I saw.

This sign made me laugh as well as gave me the chills.

This Blue Heron flew off just in time. Note the alligator to its immediate right.

Full, content and sunning.

Somehow, this was pretty amazing. Backwoods Florida at its best.

-He Said