Follow the noise, when it’s loud and from different locations there will be great photo ops.
And there were.
The local above was loud, profiling, and either looking for a mate or trouble. But he was not the one I was looking for. He was the one being ‘called out’ by a gator much closer to me. He was just answering the call.
If he wasn’t so worked up and loud I never could have seen him. But he poked his head up out of the marsh and growled. This was the one that seemed to have started all the trouble.
An Alligator ‘profile’ is when they push their head, and tail, into the air and growl. It’s really a deep vibrating drawn out groan.
All the others in the area were answering back. I’m not sure how many but I did manage to photograph three I could spot.
April thru June is mating season and frisky gators are common.
Is this in Florida?
Yes. About 4 hours south of the Lowcountry. Christmas, Florida to be exact. Near Orlando. While the Lowcountry has the same gators, and fun, the Fl area has thicker marsh vegetation. Gives everything a different look.
How cool! I’m gonna tweet a link.. with ‘Christmas in Florida’ 😀
He looks so funny with his head sticking up. Great moment and photos!
Thanks. He was throwing his head back to growl. They have no vocal chords so to bellow the way they do it’s all about air and vibrations in their throat… like a giant frog with teeth LOL.
Yikes! That’s quite the technique 😏
A huge Alligator bent in half is a very strange thing. I think only big males do profiling. Either looking for a mate or claiming territory.
I can tell you it’s an odd growl and very disconcerting when you hear them all around you…or suddenly close by 😂😂😂. But never aimed at you, just other gators.