This morning we had the unusual privilege of welcoming an uninvited guest; an  alligator  about 10 feet long, was casually swimming in the murky waters of the Arroyo Colorado.    It is not the first time we see an alligator, last year  a larger specimen visited the banks of the Arroyo Colorado right behind our backyard in Harlingen, Texas.

This morning the “Pool Guy”, while on his scheduled weekly visit, spotted the alligator and alerted us. My husband brought out his camera while the “Pool Guy” decided to go down the embankment, a 50 feet drop, to get a closer view and take a picture; he even fed it a morning dove that died when crashing into our living room window.

I ask myself, which one is wilder, the alligator or the “Pool Guy”?

Some people were fishing nearby at McKelvey Park, I can only imagine the shock if the alligator went their way! They were too far and we could not warn them. Does anybody know if an alligator this size could intentionally harm a person? If so, please share your thoughts.

Thousands of people visit the Rio Grande Valley every year to enjoy the lush habitat and see the many wild species that abound here. Just in our backyard, we have spotted bob cats, coyotes, raccoons and two alligators, and our friends have spotted over 30 different species of birds. Every November, during the early stages of migration,  participants of the annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival have recorded seeing as many as 400 different species of birds.

Each day we coexist with Parrots, Bats and Chachalacas, among many other unique species, they are everywhere in the Rio Grande Valley, they are part of the valley and they are valley wild!

Update; today is the first day of October, 2011. Our visitor is still around, the “pool guy” still comes once a week and just last week brought a large pack of chicken drumsticks to feed our guest.  No wonder its not going anywhere! …..Valley Wild!

"Pool Guy" and Alligator in Harlingen, Texas

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