No momma or other full size gators this day. However, the waters were filled with youngsters.
Most here are first year babies, under a foot (.3 meters).
Above is probably a 2 year old (2 feet – .6 meters). For the first three years they will grow about a foot a year. Growth is much slower after that.
What we can’t see here is the adult female. She was probably off in the reeds, just watching the kids.
“Nightmares exist outside of logic, and there’s little fun to be had in explanations” ; Stephen King
These photographs were taken around a week ago, first week in Marsh.
Dept. of Natural Resources closed up the water flowing through this big lake/marsh. The purpose was to dry areas typically underwater and allow natural growth of grasses (Widgeon Grass).
Of course all the fish and other critters that were trapped in pooling water became instant food.
There were even small flocks of White Pelican, which should have been up near the Canadian border by now. They just might by year rounders here now. Migrations have gone ‘way off’ the last several years.
In these wider shots other species seen are; Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Caspian Tern, Glossy Ibis, Tricolored Heron, Willet, Sanderlings, Laughing Gull.
There are a few non-descript shore birds too.
Certainly not newsworthy photographs. Yet it’s always nice to see a grouping of wildlife like this. Reminds me of why we now live here.
These shots are from our second meeting with the female and her ‘crew’. She tends to be in the same general area surrounded by young of different ages.
There were less young around, maybe a dozen, and all of similar size. Maybe some older ones have moved on.
She watched us close but never once made a threatening move. She really didn’t need to, she’s intimidating enough.
I don’t know how many breeding females are around here. Not sure I want to know considering how many little ones she has.
At first he was swimming along as I walked on the dike, keeping pace with me. In a bit the tables turned and I kept up with him looking for a different angle in the photographs.
I think it confused him.
At some point he stopped and and watched me, wondering what was going on.
Tired of the game he left. I did get a little more than a bobbing head shot though.
You don’t want to step in the middle of this…
Two weeks ago I found ‘Mom’ with over 30 young ones. There were far less the other day when I spotted her, however some may have been in reeds or moved off on their own.
This was a ‘Pile O Gators’.
Appears like they always need to know what is going on.
I was minding my own business photographing a landscape. Swam over to check me out.
When they do this there’s no intent other than to float around and watch. Once you figure out what they are actually doing it’s pretty funny.
While moving to catch up with a few Spoonbills I stumbled on this Little Blue.
While not the best day for photography the colors were on display in a few of the shots.
Most times the different shades, especially the magenta neck feathers, all look to be a dark slate blue.
