Is Anyone Missing A Doormat?
Last night we were watching an alligator splashing around in the salt marsh at low tide scooping up fish that were getting all stirred up.
Suddenly another alligator appeared heading toward the exact area where the first one was fishing. We also quickly realized that the new arrival was dragging something quite large along in it’s mouth.
As it came slogging up from the mud we saw that it had what appeared to be a huge ray of some type. It did not want to risk getting into an argument with the other alligator over ownership of the prize catch, so it walked around and headed toward the edge of the marsh. We were then very surprised to see this alligator come walking up out of the marsh still clutching it’s catch. It headed right across a paved path likely on it’s way to the swamp where we suspect the captured ray will be stashed for further feeding opportunities!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Phil have you ever seen a gator before with a ray? I love the way that you can capture these great shots for all to enjoy. I drove in yesterday around 5 pm the only thing that was going on were the Woodstorks right up close to the road. I did not have a camera with me so I did not stay. Boy after seeing these photos I wish I had.
That was the first time I ever saw an alligator with anything like this huge ray. He put on a heck of a show.
I also have pics of him slogging past a wood stork with his catch.
Thanks for looking Geri May!
Yeah, and the stork said “show off”.
Well, you sure don’t see that every day. I really need to move down there. I just can’t figure out how to take my job with me. Great shots!
Thanks Paula! The was the first time I ever saw anything like this. Glad we were there for it.
Absolutely amazing Phil. You have the best timing to capture these amazing shots. Kudoz. 🙂
Thanks so much Kathy, glad you enjoyed these pics. 🙂
WOW amazing photos!!!!! Great job!
Hey thanks Maleea!
Awesome shot Phil! I hasn’t stopped raining since i got my new lens UGGGHHHH!
Thanks very much for looking Matt and glad you liked those pics.
Still raining… 😦
Wow, now that’s something big! This one will be circulating the internet in a few days, Phil!
Yeah Gareth first time I saw a gator with something this big and unusual! This could end up making it around ya never know. 🙂
It looks like the ray lost a good portion of it’s tail, maybe a fishermans throw-away?
Wow, it looks like he’s headed right for you! How close did he get to you?
Hi Shelly! Well I had to move to get out of his way so I was pretty close. 🙂
Thanks so much for looking!
What an amazing series of shots!! Love all the new additions!!
Thanks very much Alka! I appreciate you stopping by and taking a look!
These are awesome alligator shots!!! Really love the composition of the fourth shot!
Thanks very much for looking Ammi and I’m glad you liked those photos! It was a very interesting and unusual sight for us.
That fourth photo is my favorite! 🙂
Wow… I’ve been dying to see these and finally got a chance…. worth the wait. So did they go viral? You had to get out of the way! Well, I guess his mouth WAS full. be careful you!
Hey Jen, so glad you got a chance to check these out and glad you like ’em! Not sure yet if these have spread all over like last time. Yeah he had his mouth full and was not going to let go of his prize catch.
Great pictures. I wish I had been there to see it, but this is thenext best thing.
Thanks a lot for looking George, glad you enjoyed these!
I can’t help but imagine your proximity with these guys…I mean they’re on the loose so really I can’t imagine these crocs stopping at a certain boundary like ‘hey, your not supposed to go beyond this imaginary line’ haha! In as much as wild photography sounds really fun and exciting, I beginning to realize it’s pretty dangerous, too! Capturing moments like these while watching your back, how do you do that?
Hi Aian! I do get quite close but the thing about these alligators is that they are not normally very aggressive. I try to maintain a respectful distance and keep my eyes open for any sudden or unusual actions.
As far as watching my back that is a good observation even more then you know. I had one come crawling up out of the swamp behind me and I never knew it, it never made a sound. I Just moved aside in time. 😯
Thanks for looking!
You sure get some awesome captures Phil! Amazing.
These are thrilling shots, Phil!!!! I don’t know how I would react to this sight….
He might be having his revenge on the ray for what happened to steve Irwin.