About a half-mile up the East Main Tram, we encountered a quick reminder that Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is a very wild place. We spotted this large alligator basking along side the trail. It was a hot day and we probably could have gotten by without rousing him but the trail here was relatively narrow and we, meaning me, were hiking alone so, discretion being the better part, we decided maybe it was time to go back check out the West Main Tram. Alligators are the most common predator a visitor will see in Fakahatchee, but black bears and Florida panthers are also possible, though unlikely. Two steadfast rules for dealing with any wildlife: don't approach them and don't feed them. NEXT STOP: The Power of Water
