Gators and Yankees

There are alligators on Saint Simons Island. Yessiree, Bobtail! We’ve got “gator catchers” down here that when a great big ole gator is seen they come and haul that bugger off.

There is a neighborhood app called “Next Door”. One day I was reading some posts from around the neighborhood, and came across one that had to be from some Yankee. Had to be. Here is what it said, ” It’s springtime again, and it is so good to see the baby gators back.”

After picking my jaw up off of the floor, I responded, “Hey, neighbor, baby gators are not baby ducks. Those cute little things will eat your toddler and your little dog too!”

I grew up in Waycross, Georgia, home of the Okefenokee Swamp, so I know about gators. They are dangerous creatures.

Gators are not shy. In fact a few weeks ago I was traveling to the North end of the Island and lo and behold, there was a seven foot alligator just taking his time crossing the road! And what do you think was on the other side of the road? Why Yankees, of course! Have mercy, they had stopped their cars and were literally going nuts over this gator, who I have since named “Stump”. Stump took his time while these folks, who have literally moved to a land that they do not understand, oohed and aahed over this reptile that is actually as dangerous on land as a shark is in water.

I just swerved around Stump, and left him and the Yankees behind. However, two days later in the Neighborhood App, there was a picture of Stump calmly walking down the sidewalk outside of one of the finest gated communities on our Island. A week later there was an announcement that there were two seven foot gators lose on the Island, one on the South end and one on the North end. They had caught the one on the South end, but not on the North end.

So, Stump is still around here lying in wait in the woods, waiting on some food he can grab.

Remember the song, POLK SALAD ANNIE? When the lyrics say, “gators got your grannie.” Well, that’s no joke.

So, come on down and visit anytime. We’d love to have you. But remember, there’s gators in them woods.

Carolyn Hall Fisher