From the still wet duckweed you could tell this young Alligator had recently climbed out of the pond.
I hadn’t spotted him until I was right up to him. I backed up to get a view of him threaded through the Cypress Knees.
And back a little more to capture the whole pond-side scene.
Excellent photos, Ellen! Even the young alligators appear primordial.
Thanks, Belinda. Yes, they sure do. I’m constantly amazed that they have managed to survive, supposedly with very little change for millions of years.
What a unique perspective here! As many times as I’ve seen both cypress knees and young alligators in Florida, I’ve never seen them together like this☺️🐊
Thank you, glad that you liked these. I had wondered if it gave the Alligator a feeling of protection, or was it just the easiest route!
Lol… good question!
I just can’t stop starring at that eye.
…staring right back at you!
When I saw your title, Ellen, I knew what the knees were, or at least hoped! It was what was going to be between them…. 😉 Really like the habitat shot, wonder if he thinks he’s hiding to be safe, or hiding to catch lunch? 🙄 😊 Nice long tail, let’s hope he doesn’t think it’s hiding too! 😂
Glad I made you smile, Donna! 😉
I wondered that, too. Although I expect they do, I’ve never seen an alligator eat out on land. I’ve seen them catch fish/crabs/turtles/birds in the water or reached up for a bird above them.
Oh no! I’ve never seen an alligator reach up for a bird! 😲
Oh yes, I’ve seen it few times, jump right out of the water at a bird on a branch or flying over. Only saw success, for the alligator, once.
Whew. Okay s/he can have one. I think I’d scream at the alligator, lol.
It is hard to watch nature take its course sometimes.
Love that second shot!
Thanks, William!
These are amazing shots Ellen! Were you very close or is this a nice big zoom at work? Awesome regardless.
Thanks, Sandra. I was pretty close, less than five feet. That bit of land is between a paved walking trail and the pond edge. I always scan ahead when I’m walking this path because its a popular spot for Alligators to get out of the water and they are easily camoflaged. I was pleased to get a good profile shot.
You’re officially my hero Ellen! 👏