The Alligators took advantage of the exposed mud as water drained out of the the big rice field pond.
And they found their way into a number of my wading bird images.



A wider view of the interior of the pond–all of those reeds are due to be burned off as soon as wind conditions are right.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
Not the most safe place fot the birds :-0
There certainly is a risk, Rudi, but at least they are obvious out in the open. In general, the wading birds don’t even seem to notice the Alligators are there, but I have witnessed a few interactions, including a couple that ended badly for the bird.