Alligator River NWR is named after the wrong animal
I spent a few hours over each of the last three days looking for alligators at the Alligator River NWR in Dare County, NC. Not a single alligator, even though the area is supposed to be loaded with them. All I found were bears. Lots of them. Most of the fields had one or two, or in some cases, three or more. The roads have bear scat all along them. You can see the bear trails leading out of the swamp, across the canals and into the fields. Apparently this place has one of the highest densities of black bears in the US. Some are very big - going to 700+ pounds. Here's a few I was able to get decent shots of.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Micropterus,
_____________ "I enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau
July 21, 2018, 06:28 AM
ScreamingCockatoo
I see a black bear every couple of weeks or so here in the Blue Ridge mountains.
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.
September 14, 2018, 09:29 AM
jackimoe
The photos aren't coming through on my end. I was down that way last summer headed toward Manns Harbor. We saw a few in the canal/river that ran along the road. As soon as we would get out to look at one, he'd submerge.
There was a pic of one next to a Dare County cop car that circulated on the web for a while.It was hit by a car.
September 14, 2018, 09:56 AM
Micropterus
quote:
Originally posted by jackimoe:
Yeah, I got off photobucket, that's why the pics aren't showing anymore. Didn't think this thread would resurface. I've reposted them above, using Imgur.
That gator was killed on Rt 64 that leads through Dare County. There's a canal on the north edge of the road, just on the other side of that guardrail, that apparently has a number of big gators in it. I can't see a reason the woman in a mini-van full of kids couldn't see that gator in the road and not hit it.
A lot of people don't know that NE North Carolina has gators. They grow slower than they do further south, but they get as big as anywhere given enough time.
I hate Facebook with a passion, but it seems to be the best place to look at pics of gators of northeastern North Carolina.
_____________ "I enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau
September 15, 2018, 08:54 PM
abnmacv
On big ugly reptile. On the other hand would make quite a few pairs of shoes.
U.S. Army 11F4P Vietnam 69-70 NRA Life Member
September 15, 2018, 10:44 PM
jackimoe
Yep. Nice boots.
They are making their way up into the Great Dismal Swamp and points farther north now.
Micropterus, have you tried photos in the swamp? Lots of snakes hanging from trees.
September 17, 2018, 04:11 AM
Micropterus
quote:
Originally posted by jackimoe: Yep. Nice boots.
They are making their way up into the Great Dismal Swamp and points farther north now.
Micropterus, have you tried photos in the swamp? Lots of snakes hanging from trees.
I haven't been in the Dismal Swamp for years.
_____________ "I enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau
September 17, 2018, 06:54 PM
Lord Vaalic
Um... Why would anyone visit a place called "Dismal Swamp?"
Lol... Seems like a great place to have never been to
Don't weep for the stupid, or you will be crying all day
September 17, 2018, 10:09 PM
comet24
I was kinda disappointed in Alligator River NWR when I was there a few years ago. It was a nice place but besides some frogs and birds, we didn't see much.
_____________________________________
Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. Jack Kerouac
September 18, 2018, 06:25 PM
jackimoe
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Vaalic: Um... Why would anyone visit a place called "Dismal Swamp?"
Lol... Seems like a great place to have never been to
Even better...it's known as the Great Dismal Swamp.
It was one of the places where slaves would run away into and hide. Lots of history.
September 19, 2018, 06:09 PM
Micropterus
quote:
Originally posted by jackimoe:
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Vaalic: Um... Why would anyone visit a place called "Dismal Swamp?"
Lol... Seems like a great place to have never been to
Even better...it's known as the Great Dismal Swamp.
It was one of the places where slaves would run away into and hide. Lots of history.
Lot's of critters, too. Bears, snakes, otters, and, allegedly, gators, at least in the southern parts. Got to love a place with gators.
I mean, look at the place. Who wouldn't want to be there on a hot, humid day during mosquito season?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Micropterus, 
