This is what you get when one Alligator decides to ‘profile’, growl, and claim territory. An answer. The first article (click here to view) displayed a large male starting the whole thing.

Alligators answered his challenge all around the marsh, including this one close by that I had not even seen.

I was under one of the few trees, in the shade. This one I guess was just down the bank a little ways, getting shade too.

His response was pretty loud, scared this poor Redwing right out of the brush.

I don’t think he was aware of me either since as soon as I moved to get a better angle he came towards us.

I have seen this before, it is instinct. A competitor called out, he came towards movement. Pretty simple. It didn’t help that other Alligators around were still profiling loudly.

Click, or double tap, any image below to view the gallery.

Alligator Profiling, Making A Statement (#2) – click to enlarge

Alligator Profiling, Making A Statement (#2) – click to enlarge

Alligator Profiling, Making A Statement (#2) – click to enlarge

Alligator Profiling, Making A Statement (#2) – click to enlarge

Alligator Profiling, Making A Statement (#2) – click to enlarge

I had to lean out over the water to get this last shot, the Alligator was done now… forgot all about the calls. There was a poor Night Heron sitting a short distance from this Alligator. He never moved a muscle, froze in place. He was still there when we moved away.

Most times you hear them. If you also get to see this, you certainly remember it. An Alligator will profile when he is looking for a mate, or a fight. Mating season is past, so this big guy was claiming territory.

Any place else he lets out a few loud, deep growls (again you will remember) and it’s over. I don’t know what set him off, but the big marshes at Donnelley WMA is not the place to be getting all feisty.

When an Alligator is serious they bounce a little, arch their back, and throw their head way up while growling loud.

It suddenly got very loud. Every other big guy started to call him out. Some near him, some near me, heck, some behind me. Sounds travels here.

It’s true that the water can vibrate from their deep growling.

Additional articles will be added ASAP, we have many photographs to finish from this.

This one was moving around in the mud.

I would guess a little less than 2 feet (.5 m).

Certainly a chance that Momma is still around.

Each of these photographs were taken along the banks of a marsh. For no particular reason except that as I walked on the side I could easily turn and shoot.

Not every day are there bright and wonderful scenes to capture. There are times ‘bumpy heads’ are what you’ve got.

If I remind myself there were days up north with absolutely nothing to shoot…I’m more then happy to photograph these guys.

Muddy, dark, odd light, all those things. Might be why I liked it.

Perhaps someday I will grow out of this, but I find Alligators make great images, even where there isn’t one.

A big bumpy head hiding in all the greens.

Many times I am working on photographs and spot one I never knew was there.

At first I had no idea what was flying through the water. This small ‘critter’ was fast moving, hidden by tall grasses. Immediately I though ‘beaver’, instinct. Up north that would have been a good call…not so much here. They don’t last long in these waters.

Small, and smart, gator. He won’t last long here either if he doesn’t move fast.