It is common for female Alligators to have multiple age youngsters in her care, which may include some hatched from other nests as well as her own. These two from a pod that included three ages/sizes are a good example.
I stayed focused on the moving Alligator, wondering if there was going to be some action.
There was not; the moving Alligator just plopped down. In addition to seeing the size difference in their heads, you can see the smaller Alligator’s tail just under the larger one’s chin.
Most of the water was let out of this pond earlier this summer leaving a narrow depression of water and a nice edge for young Alligators to enjoy the morning sun.
A few more were milling around in the water.
And a few more were in the reeds on a little raised island. I didn’t see the mother but know she wasn’t far off.
Based on the location and territorial habits of Alligators these are likely some of the youngsters I photographed last fall, seen here stacked up around their mother.
With my interest in dragonflies and following Mike Powell’s blog (MichaelQPowell.com/)Â Ted was sure I needed the Tamron 180mm macro lens.
Who was I to argue? He found a used one for sale and it arrived today.
One of my first subjects was a very young Anole on our patio.
This is my first non-image stabilized lens and it will require some practice.
I arrived at Middleton Place this morning just as the flock of Gulf Coast Sheep was to be let out of their pen.
Yesterday was the first time the lambs had been allowed to roam so this was their second trip out into the big world.
The lambs were all in on the adventure, following along, zooming ahead and just having fun.
There are seven lambs belonging to four mothers, one single, three sets of doubles.
A different three little lambs, this time triplets, born April 20th.
Wait for me!
Middleton Place Barnyard Stables
April 21, 2021
I’ve now taken hundreds of pictures of the three little lambs investigating their world; here’s a selection from April 21st.
The moms know it is almost feeding time; the lambs — well two of them — have their interest piqued, too.
The lambs are now getting a share of their moms’ grain.
The lambs aren’t yet as diligent about getting their grain.
Just cute!
Single lamb was born on April 7th, and the set of twins was born April 9th.
I visited the lambs at Middleton Place on April 17th and gave a chuckle when I saw this scene of the 9 day old cutie using snuggling up with mom.
A chuckle, not an outright laugh, because I could not spot the twin lamb.
After junior 1 settled on the ground for another nap I could just see another white tuft behind mom. Phew!
Junior 2 had been nestled in on mom’s other side.
She took a little stroll and it wasn’t long before they both hopped up to join her.
I’ve now taken hundreds of pictures of the three little lambs investigating their world; here’s a selection from April 13th.
Hi, mom!
Where are we going?
I can beat you!
I meant to do that!
Let’s check it out together!
Single lamb was born on April 7th, and the set of twins was born April 9th.
Middleton Place Heritage Stable Yard
April 9, 2021
I’ve made numerous trips to see the sheep at Middleton Place over the last couple weeks, looking forward to the arrival of some lambs. May 5th was the official day the barnyard workers were giving for the four pregnant sheep in their care to deliver.
Finally, on May 9th, I found three lambs: one had been born on May 7th, and a set of twins had been born that morning.
The three lambs were pretty active and getting them all in one shot wasn’t happening. Notice the extra curly textured coat on the lamb on the right.
The families have been given a pen of their own, where they’ll stay for a few weeks. The rest of the flock spends nights in the pen on the left and days free-roaming the property; the Cashmere Goats are to the right.
The little ones mostly followed their own mother, legs a bit wobbly.
They were also a bit curious about the humans watching them.
