Their photographs can be just so dramatic.
Ominous, threatening… yet they are doing absolutely nothing.
The smaller Alligator in the middle may be a mature female, all the rest look to be males. A female usually doesn’t get any larger than 8 feet (2.5 meters). The others are 111-12 feet (3.5 meters).
For perspective the second shot above had my lens pulled all the way back at 150mm. Yes I was close, but I’m not out there swimming with them either.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
Another example of ‘You never know what you will find out there’.
Better this, than the other way around.
On a trail, ACE Basin, South Carolina.
They were waiting for the river to push some water (and fish) their way.
The Great Blue Herons generally chase the smaller Tricolored Herons and Egrets away. They are not very sociable.
My guess is food would be plentiful soon.
Always an interesting subject to photograph. Most times they make it easy for me too.
A long lens is useful.
But not a requirement either.
Just don’t make too much noise.
This large ‘country gator’ came up and very slowly wandered by us. I’m not sure what caught his attention, maybe nothing. Who knows, it’s an Alligator.
I call them ‘country gators’ because compare their size and shape to the Alligators closer to Charleston and there is no comparison. These here are so much bigger (older).
It’s common for one of them to be curious about what we are doing. They don’t come all that close and know they can escape immediately. Maybe we are entertainment.
As the birds move out of the swamps and rookeries many move out to marsh lands to feed for the summer. When the find an area with low water it’s like the word gets out.
It’s been busy in places so I wanted to start this part of the season with some ‘drama’, critter style.
If you are a birder click the image above to enlarge. There aren’t too many species missing in this feeding.
Did I mention it can get loud.
In the category of…
‘You Can’t Make This Stuff Up’.
As I was hiding from yet another heat wave I hit the work pile.
It’s an incredible privilege to do this full time. It also means I need to be diligent about developing / finishing the photographs.
I am way behind and some may never see the light of day.
This is catch up from at least 2 months ago.
Oh, they didn’t get eaten.
