Alligator, Water Reflections
Category Archives: Reptiles
Alligator Profiling With Audience
I see YOU
Do YOU see ME?
That was all.
I do wonder what the world looks like to an Alligator with his eyes at water level.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 14, 2021
Juvenile Alligator Blending In
The stripes on a young Alligator provide camouflage in a variety of environments, and this youngster in the dark water littered with dried pine needles blended right in.
Working against him, and how I knew he was there before I saw movement, is that the little ones tend to chirp. I didn’t see mama, but I’m sure she wasn’t far off.
I had startled a Great Blue Heron on this bank as I approached. I’m sure the bird was keenly tuned into this being a possible lunch.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 14, 2021
Pretty On Yellow
I first spotted the Carolina Anole finishing lunch.
He bypassed the fly and came out for some sun.
The Chrysanthemum blooms made a comfy perch.
Make Way: Alligator Coming Through
I was watching a Little Blue Heron wander along the side of a pond when another movement caught my eye.
An Alligator climbed up out of the pond and plopped down in the middle of the path.
The heron just didn’t know what to make of it.
Back and forth he paced while the Alligator basked in the late afternoon sun.
Finally, he’s leaving!
Where’d he go?
The Little Blue Heron wasted no time following the Alligator down the bank into the marsh.
Pretty On Pink
A recently hatched Carolina Anole spent some time watching the world from a Mandevilla plant on my patio a few days ago.
You might wonder how he got in there, I sure did. He didn’t weigh much but these petals are quite delicate.
I suspect he climbed out the stem then jumped/fell into the center. A wider view shows how tiny the Anole was. The blossom was about four inches (10 cm) across.
Credit to Ted for spotting this little fellow.
Alligator Getting Attention
A profiling Alligator caught my attention as I passed by. I couldn’t hear any growling or other noise, but kept my eye on him. He might have been eating something or just showing off.
The action was all over in a few seconds, and that was the end of the excitement.
At least from my viewpoint. It’s hard to know what, if anything, either Alligator was thinking.
Alligators Passing
Alligators, just doing their thing.
They clearly know when to give way, and when they can pass on by.
Rice Field, Santee Coastal Reserve, SC
August 26, 2021
Alligator Morning
Alligators were on the move early on this morning despite the morning heat. This water is a canal around an old rice field that sits at the edge of the South Santee River.
I intended to walk the dike but it wasn’t mowed so that was a non-starter with the tall grass harboring a gazillion mosquitoes and likely a few more Alligators. I plan to go back later in the fall or winter for another look.
Rice Field, Santee Coastal Reserve, SC
August 26, 2021
Carolina Anole, After A Rain
Carolina Anoles readily change from bright green to various shades of brown, supposedly going brown in moist or cool conditions. This one stood out in brown as he perched on a fading Elephant Ear leaf after a rain.
