Tag Archives: Alligator

Dragonfly On Patrol

It had been a slow morning for photographing wildlife so I stopped for this young Alligator. I didn’t see the dragonfly until I was looking at the images on my computer.

Dragonfly Sharing Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Sharing Alligator Ramp

After the first image I moved along for a different angle of the Alligator, still not seeing the dragonfly. He was following a tight flight path, with just two seconds between the next and final images.

Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp

The Alligator is probably 2 to 3 years old, based on his size and camouflage coloration.

Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp

Magnolia Plantation & Garden, Charleston, SC
June 16, 2023

Wood Storks and More

These wading birds were feeding in a newly lowered pond. This results in the fish becoming concentrated in a smaller and smaller amount of water and easy feeding for a wading bird. It’s fascinating to watch the feeding but can be difficult to get images of individual birds.

Wading Birds Feeding
Wading Birds Feeding: Wood Storks, Great Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills

Eventually some of the birds got sated and flew off. A few more moved to the outer edge of the feeding, allowing for some isolated images.

Great Egret, Wood Stork, American Alligator
Great Egret, Wood Stork, American Alligator

There was a little breeze so the reflections weren’t perfect.

Wood Storks Feeding
Wood Storks Feeding

The Alligators didn’t appear to be hungry as at least a dozen of them were just floating around in between the birds.

Wood Storks Feeding, Alligator On The Scene
Wood Storks Feeding, Alligator On The Scene

If I couldn’t have dead calm for reflections I’d have been happier with a stiff breeze as the gnats were out in force that morning.

Wood Storks Feeding
Wood Storks Feeding

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 2, 2023

American Alligator On A Walk

I first spotted this Alligator laying on the lawn between the Mill Pond and Butterfly Lakes at Middleton Place. I didn’t take his picture; it was a scene I’ve photographed many times.

Then he decided to take a walk–now that’s a bit different.

American Alligator Walking on Lawn
American Alligator Walking on Lawn

He crossed the lawn, dropped into the small pond closest to the rice field. I had taken a longer route, not really expecting to see him again, and arrived here just as he climbed out on the other side.

American Alligator Climbing Out of Pond
American Alligator Climbing Out of Pond

He ducked back into the water when he spotted me; I passed by and waited.

American Alligator Walking
American Alligator Walking

The Alligator continued his trek at a slow, steady pace…across the pedestrian path…

American Alligator Walking
American Alligator Walking

…across another small lawn…

American Alligator Walking
American Alligator Walking

…then into the rice field pond he went.

American Alligator Going Into Pond
American Alligator Going Into Pond

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
April 6, 2023

Alligator In The Knees

…and showing off his teeth.

Alligator
Young Alligator, about 4 feet long ( 1.25 Meters)

Alligators will crawl out of the water and just plop down about anywhere, seemingly without a plan, even wound around some cypress knees.

Alligator
Alligator – working on temperature regulation with his mouth open

Don’t believe anyone who tells you that Alligators aren’t active in the winter. It was a warm day, feeling like spring but still the middle of winter.

He just laid there as I was watching this pile of Yellow-bellied Sliders.

Yellow-bellied Sliders
Yellow-bellied Sliders

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 1, 2023