{"id":20578,"date":"2019-10-16T19:51:29","date_gmt":"2019-10-16T19:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=20578"},"modified":"2020-10-07T21:10:24","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T21:10:24","slug":"alligator-territory-circle-b-reserve-lakeland-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/alligator-territory-circle-b-reserve-lakeland-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Alligator Territory – Circle B Bar Reserve Lakeland Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Wild<\/p>\n

Although we knew we were visiting Florida in the rainy season, it got to a point where one day we left our older two to be thoroughly spoilt by their Grandparents, got in the car and literally drove until we found the sun.\u00a0 \u00a0It happened to be hiding in Lakeland, some two hours away.<\/p>\n

\"Margarita<\/p>\n

\"baked
Fish City Grill’s baked oysters…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a quick fish taco (and a sneaky margarita on my part – I wasn’t designated driver of the day!) and oyster bake lunch at the Fish City Grill (definitely worth a visit!) we headed to what is described as the Number One reason to visit Lakeland – The Circle B Bar Reserve<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 It’s actually listed in the top 50 places to spot wildlife in the entirety of the United States, so I had high hopes for our visit and that we would see something interesting…<\/p>\n

\"Child<\/p>\n

\"Child<\/p>\n

You always start any visit here at the Visitors Center where you must sign in (and out again before leaving!) so that they know you are safely accounted for.\u00a0 \u00a0The Visitors Center also has a good few fun educational activities for small people, to teach them about the flora and fauna in the reserve, and the animals that live there.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s a great start to any visit despite the fact that you absolutely have to start here anyway as it gets small people excited for what they might see in the Reserve, and it wasn’t too long before our smallest person was raring to go.<\/p>\n

\"Boardwalk<\/p>\n

Stepping out of the doors and on to the boardwalk, you are immediately surrounded by dragonflies and the calls of wild birds overhead.\u00a0 \u00a0Our first creature sighting (literally steps from the Center) was a wild turkey who looked at us incredulously from his not so hidden hiding place.<\/p>\n

\"trees<\/p>\n

We ventured further still under ancient oak trees adorned generously in Spanish moss whilst trying to avoid the swampy conditions underfoot – only part of the reserve has a boardwalk, the rest of it is natural – and due to the heavy rain, the conditions were not entirely unexpected.\u00a0 In hindsight, flipflops probably weren’t the best footwear on my part as one or the other got left behind on more than one squelchy occasion…<\/p>\n

\"father<\/p>\n

Mud or no mud, Circle B Bar Reserve turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire trip.\u00a0 \u00a0There’s something really special about being able to visit wildlife completely free in their natural environment, and there are plenty of reminders dotted about the Reserve that you are visiting their home.\u00a0 Of course as well as the birds, deer, tortoises and many insects, you also in alligator territory.\u00a0 \u00a0Hoping to spot some, we ventured closer to the lakeshore.<\/p>\n

\"Lake<\/p>\n

\"Walking<\/p>\n

Before anyone starts to think we were being irresponsible trying to get closer to these beautiful creatures that often get a pretty bad rap, remember that alligators are prolific throughout Florida (there used to be one that lived in the pond outside the supermarket that my Mother in Law uses!), and most of them are pretty lazy.\u00a0 Most Floridians will tell you that you are only really in danger if you happen to be walking small dogs close by to them (they look very much like their prey – and you are banned from taking dogs into reserves like this for that very reason!), and they can also get a little feisty when they are protecting a nest (and they fence these off when they appear).\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Circle B Bar Reserve<\/a> Experts also happens to think it’s safe to walk here if you stick to the designated paths, and that’s good enough for me…<\/p>\n

\"Alligator<\/p>\n

\"alligator<\/p>\n

\"egret<\/p>\n

They also do camouflage very well so you have to keep your wits around you, but it wasn’t too long before we spotted several alligators just happily basking in the sun, and doing a spot of lazy lake swimming.\u00a0 \u00a0It was completely captivating, and made for a really different afternoon – it’s not every Saturday that you go out Alligator Spotting!<\/p>\n

I guess we had the bad weather to thank for leading us there, and if you ever happen to be in the Lakeland vicinity, I really highly recommend a visit to see a little bit of real Florida…<\/p>\n

If you happen to google Circle B Reserve, you might get a glimpse of its largest resident by the way, you can also find his portrait in Downtown Tampa…<\/p>\n

\"Giant<\/p>\n

Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Rd<\/span>,\u00a0Lakeland, FL 33803-7340<\/span><\/p>\n

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