Travel & Photo Stories
There’s Something Batty Going on in Gainesville, Florida
A writing prompt response on In Living Color — twilight to first light
Imagine a bunch of people standing around or sitting on benches in the waning Florida heat and sunlight staring up at the sky. Waiting, waiting, waiting… for flying bats!
This is where I found myself just a mere few weeks ago, and this is the full story.
Back in 1987, staff, students and visitors alike at the University of Florida in Gainesville found themselves with a huge bat problem on their hands. A fire at UF’s Johnson Hall broke out and thus:
“…a colony of bats occupying the attic of the historic building was left homeless and soon began roosting in the concrete bleachers of James G. Pressly Stadium at the track and Scott Linder Tennis Stadium on the north side of campus.”
Poor things. Soon enough they began flying around peoples’ heads, peeing and pooping all over the place and otherwise just becoming a colossal nuisance for everyone. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of getting a downwind whiff from a bat or bat’s nest, you will know it’s not exactly the most pleasant smell in the world. Not to mention, imagine you are a tennis player or a spectator leaving the…
