I’m not sure if this juvenile Alligator knew there was a treasure ahead, or if he had just wandered out of the pond.
But, once he got closer there was no doubt.
Even after studying these images I have no idea what the “treasure” is.
The alligator gave it a shake…
and beat feet!
August 26, 2022
Cypress Gardens, Moncks Corner, SC
We’ve had several Carolina Anoles hatch in our back yard over the last few weeks.
This one spent hours inspecting this dried hibiscus blossom.
Another one chose a more secretive location, but also didn’t go far over several hours.
August 19 & 20, 2022
Referred to as pups, baby Nine-banded Armadillos almost always come in fours. The fertilized egg breaks into four identical zygotes, yielding quadruplets.
No adult was to be seen supervising this quartet of constant movement. They nurse for two to three months then gradually venture off on their own.
Insects, larvae and other food found on or in the ground make up the Armadillo’s diet.
This fellow shows off his claw and snout, the tools used to maximize his grazing.
Francis Beidler Forest, SC
July 9, 2022
Young Alligators often perch on their mother’s body, maybe for safety or in this case a good sun patch.
Bulls Island is a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina made of a series of ancient sand dunes that run parallel to the long ocean side. Over time fresh water sloughs have formed between the dunes, home to many Alligators.
A closer view of the two duck weed coated youngsters on the bank:
Another juvenile found his own dry spot, complete with dappled sun.
April 1, 2022
Last year the first one lamb at Middleton Place was born April 7th so I was somewhat surprised when I stopped by on Monday, March 14th and was told “any day now.” I didn’t get back until Thursday, to find a single had been born on Tuesday and a set of twins arrived just that morning.
The twins were finishing up feeding when I got there and almost immediately collapsed into sleep.
The older one was more adventurous, spending some time under the shelter.
Then she checked out her new mates.
I look forward to photographing them as they grow, and hopefully in better light.
The twins having a look around.
Middleton Place BarnYard, Charleston, SC
March 17, 2022
The stripes on a young Alligator provide camouflage in a variety of environments, and this youngster in the dark water littered with dried pine needles blended right in.
Working against him, and how I knew he was there before I saw movement, is that the little ones tend to chirp. I didn’t see mama, but I’m sure she wasn’t far off.
I had startled a Great Blue Heron on this bank as I approached. I’m sure the bird was keenly tuned into this being a possible lunch.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 14, 2021
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.
