Tommy grabs his mother’s hand for comfort as they pass within a few feet of an alligator. It didn’t seem to notice them, but the hairs on his neck remain at attention for a few minutes. He regains his calm, and then grabs his notebook and pencils in “alligator.”

With a satisfied smile, he looks over the impressive list: bobcat, river otter, bald eagle, osprey – and all seen from the comfort of mom’s SUV as she drives slowly along Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.