…and showing off his teeth.
Alligators will crawl out of the water and just plop down about anywhere, seemingly without a plan, even wound around some cypress knees.
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.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 1, 2023
This spot is a favorite for alligators and turtles, and at certain times of the year the light is perfect for reflections. I see parts of four Alligators and two Turtles, one facing the camera and one away, tucked under the left most Alligator.
I was focusing on the draped Alligator arm and didn’t see the turtle peeking up over the top until I was processing my photos.
The last photo was taken about 90 minutes later, the sun had just gone down so not much light. There hadn’t been much movement in the pile.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 12, 2022
Late on a warm November afternoon Alligators and Yellow-bellied Sliders were hanging out on the alligator ramps.
A touch of fall foliage reflected in the water.
A wider view at a different angle shows the alligator ramp from the first image, with another one a bit further to the left.
Ravenswood Pond
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 28, 2022
A few Common Gallinules were walking around in this shallow water at the edge of a pond, quietly minding their own business.
Gallinules are known for making a vocal fuss, but while I was watching this scene they were quiet.
Hard to say if Alligators pay any attention to when birds vocalize; I’ve seen them respond to movement around them but not just noise.
These Alligators never moved.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
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
The Snowy Egret and the Spoonbill took a break from harassing each other while the Great Egret was doing his own thing.
A closer look at the Alligators: it was warming up and they were looking for sunny spots out of the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 16, 2022
And their thing isn’t much, or wasn’t on this day. This fellow was just hanging out at the edge of the pond.
Not really a photobomber because it’s not so easy to see, but there is a Belted Kingfisher sitting on the stick at the center top of the image as the Alligator glided by.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 27, 2022
The Spoonie Tree is still standing, and a single Roseate Spoonbill was perched there on my last visit.
I took a walk down the dike and an hour later he was still there, and still alone.
Just checking things out.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
This canal runs along side an old rice field impoundment and on this morning it was hopping with little fish.
A Snowy Egret was showing off how to catch breakfast while keeping your wings dry.
They swallow as they go so it’s hard to say if he was successful.
Let’s try this again…
Drag your toes in the water… then a face plant…
Then liftoff!
The Alligator was just a bonus.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
