Where there is one Alligator
there is often another…
It pays to look around, for safety and photography opportunities. These two are probably a few years old, with the camouflaging stripes they hatch with faded, but still visible.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 19, 2026
I had assumed these were all Yellow-bellied Sliders but maybe the two on the left in this first image are not–there wasn’t a bit of yellow to be seen.
Research tells me there is some variation, and also some interbreeding with other species.
This was a cooler day, I had gloves on, and I was surprised to see them out at all.
The Old Santee Canal Park, Moncks Corner, SC
December 4, 2025
It wasn’t just the wading birds that were enjoying the low water levels in Lodge Pond. Alligators were gathering on every exposed surface, hanging out in the sun.
They took turns on the “hill”.
And found some good eats.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
I took one more step to get a better angle of these four Yellow-bellied Sliders and in a blink of the eye they slid below the duckweed covered surface.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 16, 2025
A youngish Alligator, probably less than five years as he still has the lighter colored stripes that provide protective camouflage, was lounging at the side of the trail.
He was still wet from being in the pond so hadn’t been there long. IÂ passed him by and noticed the flotsam collected on his foot and leg. And those toes!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 1, 2025
Teeth, that is…
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 7, 2025
A young alligator, mostly hidden in some pond-side vegetation, didn’t move much while I took a few photos.
I couldn’t see his length to estimate his age, but I’d estimate in the 1 to 2 year-old range.
Maybe even a little older as you can see his “scutes” or bony plates are well formed on his neck.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
I thought the Alligator on the left might join the pile while I watched, but he seemed content to float. The Yellow-bellied Slider and Alligators piled up were content with their spots, too.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 25, 2025
It is still winter here in South Carolina but we’ve had some warmer days. Warm enough that a few Anoles have been out and about, including this one that was crawling through a tuft of Spanish Moss stuck to a tree trunk.
These two were keeping a cautious distance from each other while they took advantage of the warming sun.
They were all sporting their brown look, rather than the bright green we see in summer. This can be from the cooler winter temperatures and to better blend in with their surroundings.
January 30 and February 2, 2025
Late yesterday afternoon a single alligator was occupying this favorite spot at the Long White Bridge pond. It was oddly warm, in the 70s (low 20s C), for the beginning of winter.
About an hour later I passed by again to find the Alligator had slid much of his body down into the water but hadn’t yet given up the spot.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 28, 2024
