Biking Orlando Wetlands Park

After six weeks of light duty (and no bicycling, doctor’s orders) came to a close, I was ready to get back on the bike.

Open marsh at Orlando Wetlands Park — One of many perfect panoramas on my bike trip at Orlando Wetlands Park

Sandy suggested that I ride the levees of Orlando Wetland Park. I’ve hiked on the Florida Trail side of the park, but had never ventured past the picnic area on the levee side.

With a nice map mounted in my bike in my old map case, I began my exploration of the park.

Having a map mounted on my bike let me tackle a different route from Sandy for trail research

At the first intersection, I joined several fellow birders snapping photos of a flock of roseate spoonbills.

It’s not every day you see a flock of roseate spoonbills

I hadn’t ridden much farther when it became very apparent why Sandy suggested I take my good camera that takes panoramic shots: Lake Searcy and its wetlands met the sky.

As I rode the loop, the wide open spaces were beautiful, with blue sky reflecting in the marshes.

Looking across Lake Searcy

Birds and birders were everywhere. I saw limpkins, blue herons, kingfishers, wood storks, and great egrets.

Across one stretch of open water, I could see a dozen or so wood storks in the trees on its edge. As I rode closer, I noticed that they were all flying away from the trees, carrying nesting materials.

Wood storks in flight gathering nesting material

I first saw alligators out in the marshes, then along the shoreline. The farther from trailhead, the larger and the closer to where I was riding they seemed to be.

Keeping a watchful eye to my route, I spotted an eight- or nine-footer walking out of the water and heading across the trail about ten feet from me.

Alligators in the water along Alligator Alley

We saw each other about the same time. I hit the brakes, and he slid backwards, half in the water.

After a short wait I could see that he wasn’t going anywhere, so I quickly passed by on the far side of the levee.

The alligator that thought better of crossing the trail

I was thinking of the great story that could have happened. I’d be bragging about it for years. “Yeah, those are the teeth marks where the gator grabbed the bike as I went by.”

Thankfully, there was no need for such a story.

Young alligator at the next observation deck

Stopping at an observation deck, I joined a few fellow cyclists who had already spotted all the wildlife before I arrived. A young four-foot gator looked like he was posing for photos.