Not a big guy, but one of many.
I sometimes make an effort to keep a count of my sightings and grab a photograph of every Alligator I see while out.
Thats exactly what I should have done the other day, but didn’t. I’m not sure why but there was a head, or more, everywhere. None of any size but the average critter was on display.
I don’t think the local gators have been getting their fair share of space here lately.
This rather large fellow was casual passing by. I liked the way I captured the light in his eye.
One of the few times when shooting something like this I knew it would be B&W. Wildlife and swamps always have way too much contrast and ‘background’ stuff for a quick monochrome shot.
The flat Duck weed all around made him stand out. What I didn’t know because of all the swamp ‘stuff’ was he had been straddling an old log. Even now you need to close to see it.
The shots below are of the same swamp. I was looking down a slight incline, into the thick swamp. However a big Cypress was in the middle of my view.
So, the Alligator was on my left, two steps over and the Night Heron was on my right. Big old tree in face.
This is the swamp rookery the Night Herons nest in. Interesting, this year the Black-crowns are here, almost mixing with the Yellow-crowns.
This Alligator likes to lay here and ‘growl’ loudly. The sound is deep, loud, and a bit scary. However what I find interesting is a side street in town dead ends into this swamp. A few houses even have this behind their backyard. Very cool! Sometimes people cut through here jogging, getting to the YMCA for exercising class, and taking their kids for a walk. They smile in passing as the big guy growls from the swamp. My kind of town !!!!
A Black-crowned Night Heron sat on a downed tree watching over the swamp. I just noticed a Yellow-bellied Slider turtle is also on that dead tree, a little further down on the left.
So while I’m describing this swamp I will add one more little factoid. I was in this spot about 3 hours. I could hear shooting, a lot of shooting actually.
The US Marines boot camp, the famous Parris Island, is part of the town of Port Royal. Today must have been rifle range training.
The whole scene is in the ‘you can’t make this stuff up’ category.
From a walk the other day. The Duck weed is ridiculously thick. Everything in or near the swamp is covered in it.
However, the Alligators wear it like a well tailored suit.
Four different gators in the far side of this swamp. The other side was clear of weed. It proves these guys just don’t care.
It was sunny, tourists from all over were visiting Charleston for spring, and somehow a bunch landed in this plantation swamp on a Friday morning.
There was actually a volunteer guide, I heard her say the Alligator wants to cross the trail. People didn’t stop walking (of course). So I went over, and didn’t see a gator, until I looked down. Now I was involved LOL. I did take a shot before getting to the visitors and asking them to wait for a minute. (I look official. I have swamp clothes, my plantation ID hanging from my neck, and a sweaty ratty brown hat.)
Nobody wanted to pay attention. Finally I said ‘if you keep walking just don’t stop’. They walked and stopped…big surprise.
And it was because of the ‘surprise’ suddenly they all started to walk, quickly. The people with me decided it actually was a good idea to stop.
The Alligator had come to the conclusion he either had to just go for it, or go back in the water.
He went for it.
The trail must be at least 9 feet wide…you can see he was a lot wider.
When he finally crossed, the are slow walkers, he swam into the open water of the other swamp.
People now have a great vacation story when they get home.
I admit to standing there and waiting for the right shot.
He was in no rush and slowly slid into the spot between the two big Cypress Trees. This photograph is close to the iconic swamp images of the deep south.
Port Royal, South Carolina.
When I first spotted the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks they were far, in a dark swamp area, and not an easy shot. I ignored them.
Finally I tried to get a better angle, and suddenly it became more interesting. All kinds of swamp locals kept showing up.
I couldn’t get a better angle, light was worse, but just then an Alligator showed up. I had to shoot at that point. 🤣
Included here;
