Three years ago, I made my first visit to Gainesville with my girlfriend and her family for Christmas. During that trip, we went out to Paynes Prairie and saw a lush swamp with hundreds of alligators.
Last week, in my first visit since that time, the contrast was stark. There were perhaps 10 adult gators, a few more younger ones, and dried up streams and inlets everywhere. I can only assume this is a product of the area’s recent dry summer.
Still, the area remained beautiful. Here are about 20 photos from the visit we made—again with Ruthie and her family.
A few images of the dry landscape.
Despite the brownness, there were plenty of birds hanging around, including a hawk of some species.
And those few remaining visible gators…
