Turtles lie on logs, warming their shells in the morning sun with tiny green feet splayed wide to capture maximum warmth. Black-and-white anhingas bob their heads, swimming after breakfast in the clear spring water. A silver boat glides past, all passenger eyes and cameras capturing the idyllic Florida scene.
Welcome to behind the scenes of Play Hard Florida, a local tourism and conservation company staffed entirely by Gators past and present.
The whole trip and video cost less than $400, according to Chief Executive Officer Carmine CJ Oliverio. We did that video on a shoestring budget, and yet we won, he said. We re all very excited.