DEATH OF A LEGEND August 21, 2012

I know this is stupid, BUT, this is a photo of the ancient alligator that ruled the gator hole at Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk for many many years. This photo was taken about a year ago. She was in very poor condition at the time of this photo. I found her dead today. Now, I know it's stupid to cry about a dead alligator, but this one was like an old friend. Whenever I would visit the gator hole with guests, that alligator would come out to see me. Even if other people were already there, she would appear when she heard my voice ( I don't believe she liked me, I just think my voice was a familiar sound to her). She will be missed.......... She was banished by another younger alligator from the gator hole, probably about the time this photo was taken.  When I found her dead, she had gotten as close to her beloved gator hole as possible, without trespassing into it.