Two interesting shots taken while in the right place at the right time.
As usual the locals were hanging together. The best part was how the black-necked Stilts worked the water around the big guys. These birds are visitors breeding in the warmer US spots before heading back down to South America. They quickly figure out how to deal with locals.
I don’t think this is a club I would like to join.
American Alligator, South Carolina.
Before moving to the Lowcountry I had photographed Alligators here. However I don’t think I appreciated just how common they were. No matter what you may think of them they make for great photographs when out in the boonies.
All the photos above were taken in old rice fields within the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. These particular rice fields are part of 8,500 acres of connected marshes. A single female Alligator lays about 50 eggs pre year. Survival rates are low. Even so, that many eggs per female, every year for centuries means there are a lot of these critters in those marshes.
You would think this scene wouldn’t happen. Yet this is very common. The big guys don’t really want to tangle with each other, unless it’s mating season / babies being protected.
I’m not sure I’d call it cuddles however lots a photos of them sticking close here.
Best viewed large.
The original locals have been missing from this site lately. Can’t have that, considering they probably out number us.
American Alligator, South Carolina
When in the water, and they almost always are, it’s hard to judge just how big they really are.
A guess is a minimum of 11 feet for this one.
ACE Basin,South Carolina.
We were standing watching a few Egrets when one of the locals decided to come past.
What makes this remarkable is how unremarkable this has become.
I struggled with how to finish this shot. There was glare, the background was just dark mud, in general there were many reason to push the ‘delete’.
One reason to publish… all these Wood Storks seemingly staring back at the camera.
There’s a lot going on here, but worth a post.
