Alligators generally appear to be lurking everywhere I see them, it’s just their style. I liked the way the Spanish Moss was hanging down into the pond where this one was doing his thing.
Of course it’s better to see them lurking than not.
Lurking
Tag Archives: Alligator
Swimming In The Green
The tide was high and the pond was full which means the water near the trunk that connects the pond to the Ashley River was nearly still. This Alligator left the coveted spot near that movement for an exploratory swim.
He was moving pretty fast at first, with the Duckweed piling up in front of him, like he had a destination in mind.
I’ve wondered what Alligators see as they swim, their line of sight easily obstructed by objects that don’t look like much when seen from above.
Alligator Landscape
This was not a great photography morning. I saw a lot of birds, but too far for good shots. The air was hazy and sunlight harsh. The Alligators doing their thing in this pond caught my eye. Fish were jumping and several Alligators floated in between. The grasses along the bank are starting to look like fall.
Alligator Under Bridge
This is one of the short white bridges at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, as opposed to the “Long White Bridge” where tourists and brides pose for photographs. Around the corner on the same pond and much less visited. Except by the wildlife.
Slow Bird Day at Donnelley
A Snowy Egret was striking a pose on a pylon overlooking a full creek. This was about the only wading bird activity I saw on this trip.
The water was very high on both sides of the dike leaving the “Spoony Tree” standing in water. The pond level was too high for wading birds to feed.
For comparison here is the tree a couple months earlier when there were some Spoonbills around and a few Alligators lounged in the shallow water. The dirt around the roots has washed away and the tree appears dead. It won’t be a surprise to find out this tree has fallen over.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
First two images: 6/18/2019
Third image: 4/18/2019
Alligator on a Mission
While I was watching the Bard Owl of yesterday’s post an Alligator thrashed around at the edge of the pond then swam very deliberately out to the middle of the pond.
He negotiated around a few Cypress knees, made a U-turn and stopped directly underneath the owl, that was on a branch about 20 feet (6 meters) above the water.
If he was hoping the Barred Owl would swoop down he was disappointed. The Owl was very aware of the Alligator’s presence. After ten or fifteen minutes the Alligator swam back where he came from, climbed out of the water and disappeared.
Great Blue Heron Stalking
Surrounded by yellow iris and calla lilies a Great Blue Heron stalked his way across the edge of a pond.
Look closely at the edge of the water on the right hand side in the second image and you’ll see he wasn’t alone: a small Alligator was patrolling the water.
Alligator Coming Up, Maybe Not
After the bigger fellow from my post Alligator Coming Up got settled I turned my head to watch an Egret and the little gator bailed off into the water. I watched him swim around the ramp and then he took at turn at climbing up.
He made a huge effort, flailing his front and back legs around.
I can do it!
Almost there, just need to get that back leg a little higher!
And then he lost his grip.
Notice that the bigger Alligator never moved during all this action.
Down, down, down into the water he went.
Alligator Coming Up
Many nature areas provide ramps for the Alligators to get get out of the water and sun themselves. The result is safe, fascinating viewing for visitors and keeps some of the Alligators out of the areas where said visitors might be walking. Usually the low end of the ramp is in the water but the pond has been lowered for maintenance so access to this ramp required some work.
A younger Alligator was laying there minding his own business and didn’t seem aware he was about to have company.
He stayed in that spot for longer than I expected.
But then he thought better of it as the larger Alligator heaved up over the side with a gargantuan effort.
For a moment I thought the big one was going to flip back into the water. Alligators are proportionally tail so even with his front legs on the platform he had a ways to go.
Made it!
The big guy made it and the little one moved a few more inches away.
The larger Alligator is probably 4 to 5 years old. He is loosing the yellowish stripes that younger ones have to help with camouflage. When they get to be this age and size they are no longer prey to other animals.
Alligator Portfolio
Or… Is This My Best Side?
The dike bank curves a bit so I was able to get views from a couple of angles.
And the head shot, with just a bit of tooth showing.
