He was there first so it was his call to share the spot or not.
Sharing Space, Alligator
While not in love with the idea he was actually gracious and let me stay.
Sharing Space, Alligator
Trying his best to ignore me didn’t completely work. When he thought I wasn’t looking he would twist his head to check where I was.
Sharing Space, Alligator
While this makes a great story there’s nothing unusual about it. But I do admit it’s fun to watch someone who is new and didn’t expect to be sharing a trail like this.
Sharing Space, Alligator
I walked around him since he had the opening, I had a tree where I now had to stand.
I just took a few shots of him, then the Egret which was my first choice, and moved on.
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.
Mom Is Still Around, Alligator
There were less young around, maybe a dozen, and all of similar size. Maybe some older ones have moved on.
Mom Is Still Around, AlligatorMom Is Still Around, Alligator
She watched us close but never once made a threatening move. She really didn’t need to, she’s intimidating enough.
Mom Is Still Around, AlligatorMom Is Still Around, Alligator
I don’t know how many breeding females are around here. Not sure I want to know considering how many little ones she has.
OK, This article is version two, same photographs but hopefully a better layout. If you read the first article…sorry.
First an explanation. WordPress, this software service, is changing their editing interface. A large change but I felt it would be wise to give it a try.
I tried. Oh yeah… I have an extensive IT history. We owned a software company that created on-line banking and investment systems. Eventually sold it to an international investment firm.
The title, Like A Train Wreck had nothing to do with software. It was the perfect title though to cover the first test and the Egret/Alligator story below. I kept the title.
Like Watching A Train Wreck
The story is simple with multiple photographs of the scene.
Across a marsh, pretty far, an Egret was fishing. And it was surrounded by Alligators. Thus the ‘train wreck’.
All ended well but I just had to watch from a far, and grab too many, too dark, images as it happened.
Below the photographs all have dark shapes almost pushing the Egret. Another one of those ‘you can’t make this stuff up’ situations.
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.
He Didn’t Like Me Following, Alligator
I think it confused him.
He Didn’t Like Me Following, Alligator
At some point he stopped and and watched me, wondering what was going on.
He Didn’t Like Me Following, Alligator
Tired of the game he left. I did get a little more than a bobbing head shot though.
This is one of those spots where every square foot is filled with wildlife. It’s sit back and watch the show, carefully.
Every photograph has something happening, and some not very obvious.
Images here are best viewed large.
Night Heron With The Alligator(s)
Above it starts out with the juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron in a favorite spot. A big gator comes along under his low hanging root, but this happens often. All is good, until it’s not.
Night Heron With The Alligator(s)
Now you can see the real size of the Alligator going by. Big enough to snatch the Heron with a good effort.
But wait… look in the top right of the photo. A gray head with big eyes. Hiding behind the Heron.
Night Heron With The Alligator(s)
Above both Alligator can be seen. Now the one hiding is of the left, big guy has continued swimming. I did notice he was angling toward the bank though.
Night Heron With The Alligator(s)
And now the little Heron only has one gator to watch.
Night Heron With The Alligator(s)
So…why not fly over and get closer. Better to see him.
Finally the young bird zipped up above into the thickets.
Some times we stand in a spot and watch. You never know what you will see out there.
I really tried to get a full body shot. He was too quick.
I was walking and noticed him out of the corner of my eye. Typing that now it’s a bit strange since he was long, very long. Tall grass was between us, finally rushed to an opening, as he slipped under.
He Slipped Under, Alligator
If you have ever been around them you know they sink. Straight down, no bubbles, no movement. Just sink.
Alligators have the unique ability to change their bodies center of gravity! They have four muscles to move their lungs. Yep, lungs of air back of the gator, a dive. Lungs of air front of gator, rise up. Even to the sides to roll over.
