A Surprise Visitor to Our Pond

We visited our pond to feed the fish and check things out. To our surprise, the right dab in the middle was an alligator. not a big one but around 4 feet long. It was hanging out with our fake crocodile we put in there to ward off the Great Herons and Egrets.

A Surprise Visitor to Our Pond

Yesterday, Sandra and I walked down to our pond behind the studio to feed the fish and check on things as we often do. It’s a peaceful spot that inspires so many of our pieces — from Illusion Glass herons and alligators to dioramas and woodburned bayou scenes.

This time, nature had a surprise for us.

As we approached, we noticed something unusual in the middle of the pond. What we first thought was our fake crocodile (put there to help deter the Great Herons and Egrets) turned out to be a real, live alligator — a beautiful four-footer just hanging out in the water.

We stood there smiling, watching him for a while before he slowly moved on. Moments like this remind us why we love living and creating here in Folsom. The bayous and wetlands are full of life, and that wild beauty finds its way into almost everything we make.

Watch the short video above to see our surprise visitor!

Have you ever had an unexpected encounter with wildlife near your home? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.