Welcome to Miss Gator's place!  Oh, it's not a big place, but it is "homey", at least for her.  According to park rangers here, Miss Gator is 20+ years old.  A longtime resident, she's established her spot -- a swampy little area with lots of grass and bushes around so she can nap in peace if she doesn't want to be bothered.  A small platform has been built as an overlook of Miss Gator's spot, complete with her own sign warning visitors they risk fines and jail time if they harass or feed her.  Sadly, both are sometimes a problem, though most people just enjoy a quiet stop by to visit and see if she's decided she wants to be seen that day.  She's often willing to tolerate her guests, allowing them to watch her snooze in the sun or, lately, blow her bubbles in the water.  We noticed the bubble-blowing the first time a few months ago.  She was active -- moving around, crawling in and out of the water.  We thought something was up.  A talk with the park ranger confirmed it.  It appears that Miss Gator is a mom.  No babies have yet been spotted by visitors because no doubt they are hidden well.  We strongly suspect that she can communicate with the babies by sub audible noises she makes.  These appear to watchers as bubbles in the water.

               Are you afraid of alligators?  You needn't be.  They are shy and unless threatened or provoked, prefer to steer clear of you.  Gulf Islands National Seashore's (GINS) alligators are "small" by alligator-size standards.  That's because their habitat contains larger contents of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico.  Miss Gator is about 6 feet long.  Living in a national park has given her protection, but also exposed her to many gazing eyes over the years.  She's accustomed to people, to a point.  Therein lies the danger in feeding her.  If she's fed, she associates people with getting a meal, and she may get too close to her guests.  That could lead to real trouble for visitors and her.

               Does Miss Gator venture out of her spot?  Yes, she does.  Often she travels out into Davis Bayou.  Moving out means finding a route.  Sometimes, that route is straight across the park's main road.  Two years ago, on Halloween Day, Miss Gator found the warmth of the sun-drenched road really pleasing -- so pleasing, in fact, she decided to stop and rest there for awhile.  An interesting find it was for those attempting to drive back from the campground and the park's boat launch!

               Perhaps surprisingly, Miss Gator's spot isn't only a nursery for gator babies.  It is regularly home to newborn baby green herons.  MississippiWild has spotted up to five of them.  A real sight they are!  Green herons are handsome birds with yellowish long bills, bright orange-yellow legs, a chestnut-colored head and neck with a black crown.  They have a small crest.  Their back and wings are a dark green-gray.  Green heron babies are typical baby birds.  They begin with fuzzy feathers, are awkward and look like they're mostly legs.  Believe it or not, these babies actually hop around from limb to limb right above where Miss Gator often naps.  Brave?  Perhaps.  More likely, it's a lesson that there are dangers in their environment that they must live with beginning at birth.                                                                                                                                     



               GINS is home to so many birds, animals and reptiles, most of whom can be seen if you have the patience to look, listen and visit at the right time of day or night.  Who lives there?  Here's a list of a few:   grey squirrels, raccoons, armadillos, red foxes, rabbits, alligators, lizards, crabs, shrimp, small sharks, flounder, mullet, great horned owls, Eastern screech owls, whip-poor-wills,  great blue herons, ospreys, great white egrets, snowy egrets, laughing gulls, terns, brown pelicans, tortoises,  and clapper rails.   In winter until spring, there are visitors of the feathered kind:  red-breasted mergansers, bufflehead's, loons, double-crested cormorants, grebes, and ducks of different types arrive.   Winter offers daily surprises on the bayou.  You never know who you'll see floating on the water or diving for fish!

               GINS - Davis Bayou area offers a campground, picnic areas, piers to stand and watch or fish from, and a boat ramp.  Though the visitor's center was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina, a temporary visitor's center is open and plans are to restore the original visitor's center soon.

               Want more information about GINS? CLICK  HERE   to visit their website.

            Join MississippiWild as we now take you to another discovery not so very far from Davis Bayou.  Just a few years ago, some local folks took a look at what they had around them, and they knew it was special.  It was special because in their midst was a river that is the only unimpeded river left in the 48 contiguous states - the Pascagoula River.  They then began an effort to bring attention to and preserve this national heritage.  Out of this was born the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.  Here Mark LaSalle, the center's director, and Mozart DeDeaux, the education coordinator, work diligently - spending long hours attracting local and migratory birds, planting native plants, setting up "critter cams" inside purple martin houses and the newly built chimney swift tower for people to see and learn about their surroundings.  They educate school groups in summer camps, do talks at libraries and go far beyond the call of duty to let the world know what a unique environment is in "their backyard".  

              At this time, the center is located in a small white house which contains offices,  a small meeting space, and various types of local fish and snakes found in the Pascagoula River system.  Beyond that, much more is going on.  Great efforts are ongoing to gain funding to build a new multi-level center that will house education centers, exhibits and so much more.  Both LaSalle and DeDeaux are Master Naturalists, with LaSalle having been the actual creator of Mississippi State's Master Naturalist Program a number of years ago.  After leaving MSU, LaSalle became center director and shares his deep knowledge of the area's ecosystem with those who visit the center and at various events held throughout the year.   DeDeaux brings to the mix a love of nature, extensive knowledge of native plants and birds, and a true creative ability which can make even the snake's exhibit look like a piece of art.

                One of the key events for Pascagoula River Audubon Center (PRAC) each year is the Pascagoula River Nature Festival.  Held in April, there are tours, talks, and exhibits suitable for all ages at various locations throughout Jackson County, MS including Pascagoula, Gautier, Moss Point and Ocean Springs.  

                If you love birding and nature, be sure to visit the center located at 7001 Frank Griffin Rd, Moss Point, MS.  Take exit 68, the Moss Point, MS exit off I-10.  Exit south on Hwy 613 and look for the sign pointing you to the center.  While you're there, be sure to plan to take a tour with Captains Benny and Lynn McCoy on the Pascagoula River.  Tours are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.   Call (228)475-0825 for further information and to make reservations with the McCoys.

                Want to read more about the Pascagoula River Audubon Center?
CLICK HERE  to visit their site.   

                CLICK HERE  to read about this year's Pascagoula River Nature Festival!

               Would you like to read about the travels of MississippiWild to check on Miss Gator, her friends at the national park and wildlife around South Mississippi?  CLICK HERE   to read The MississippiWild Blog - Cruising in the Wild!