A group of three (maybe four) roaming around the edge of a salt marsh. Very close to the ocean.
I was hoping for a spot with shorter grass. They never left the tall shrubs.
Bandits Sneaking About
Now I know Why He was Acting Weird, Alligator
Alligators pretty much act the same way, all the time. Very predictable (unless too close).
This one was almost sitting up, twisting around, and watching me carefully. Strange behavior.
These images best viewed large.
Then I got it…a huge itch. He needed this really big scratch.
And as quick as it started, a big sigh and back to sunning himself.
Early Heron
A Great Blue Heron flying low over an open marsh.
These are photographs taken in light that despite the hour turned out to be better than expected.
If we had been facing the other way a gold glare might have ruined the images.
Passing Mr. Big Head, Alligator
This was the only angle I could get, but wow what a big head.
I was behind him and passing quickly…not that he cared one way or the other.
He was definitely a big boy.
Snowy Egret, Stole The Scene
The little Snowy came out of nowhere. I had been shooting a Great Blue and was right at this moment ready to lower the camera. There was just enough time to refocus.
Above you can see the the Great Blue in the background.
I only took a few photographs since it was a reflex shot as much as anything. They rarely work out well. But this one did, which is why I still try.
Well, that and the fact it’s digital so easy to delete.
Great Egret On The Marsh Bank
This poor guy was not having an easy day.
A Great Blue Heron was trailing him all along the bank. They only were semi close once, the Egret left in a hurry. Still, the Heron watched and stalked him from a distance.
Adult Great Egrets are deadly to young Herons.
The table turns when the Great Blue is grown.
Slight Miscalculation On My Part, Stork
This is what happens when you think you have everything figured out.
They change course…
…and I’m on the course.
Yelling ‘duck’ doesn’t seem right.
A Big Shadow, Wood Stork
If they fly over, and it’s sunny, there is no mistaking that big shadow.
This one was heading over a dike to join others just up ahead of us. A good angle to get a low fly by.
The last image above shows the Stork slightly dipping a wing to drop down with the others.
Which was not a clear view for a finishing shot of course.