“Mind If I Join You?”
Yesterday afternoon this great blue heron was doing a little casual fishing in the marsh pond when his alligator pal (with the really white teeth!) decided to drop by for a visit. After exchanging pleasantries, the gator settled in for a nice nap in the sun and the heron went back to fishing.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
I know these beast can move incredibly fast so presumably if the heron got too close the ‘gator could just lurch its head sideways and it’d be heron for lunch.
Yes they can move very fast, I’ve seen them run.
But the birds seem to instictively know when the gators might be in feeding mode as opposed to just kinda laying around mode. Plus the birds are fast too, even large ones like this heron. One wing flap and there are off quick.
An alligator would be more likey to attempt to snatch a bird using stealth mode and aproaching from underwater. 😯
I love this, I love that they are friends haha
Thanks Brit! I guess they are *sorta* friends. 😯 heh heh
That heron is playing chicken. 😆 Great photos, Phil, yet again.
As long as he doesn’t end up tasting like chicken he will be OK. 😛
Thanks so much for looking!
Brave bird. Or maybe the gator thought he was a little fowl. 🙂
That alligator could probably really go for a little fowl, but lucky for the heron the gator did not seem to be in the mood to eat. 🙂
That makes sense. I’m guessing people around me can tell when I’m in hungry mode too.
I know what you mean…same goes for me. 😛
Wow, that heron is gutsy! I guess it hasn’t heard the Police song “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”. LOL! If I take my glasses off and back away from my monitor it even looks like it’s standing on the back of the gator…
I tried that…I took my glasses off and backed away from the monitor and tripped over the cat. Crap. 😉 😀
Thanks for looking!
Ha! You never cease to put a smile on my face…
Great double 🙂
Thanks for checking out the pics!
Love it!! That heron says “I’m in charge here.” Courage personified!
Thanks! That heron has an attitude for sure!
Es sieht aus, als ob er auf dem Krokodil stehen würde 😀
Es sieht, wie er auf dem Krokodil steht und er ist sehr nah. Vielen Dank für das Betrachten dieser Fotos!
The heron knows the Aligator has already eaten…
The birds are pretty smart, but…the alligators are a lot smarter then many give them credit. 😯
Not a bedfellow I would encourage, Phil.
Yeah Mike I leave them out in the yard at night. 😀
These photos are impressive… And also a little frightening for the heron !
Thanks, I’m glad you like these pics! The heron *seemed* to know what it was doing.
Best friends lying together in the sun. Impressive pics.
Thank you for looking and glad you liked these photos! At least these two know that a relaxing day laying around in the sun can be quite pleasant. 🙂
I enjoyed these photos and story. It is interesting to me that the bird knows when to be leery of the gator.
Thanks! I’m happy you enjoyed these pics!
I have seen this type of thing on several occassions (including again today) and the birds seem to know when to really watch out for an alligator.
Quite the fang face there. 🙂
Looks like he just came back from a teeth cleaning. The dental hygienist did an excellent job! Well…especially considering the circumstances.
Love the photos! I’m amazed they get along so well.
Thanks! Yeah they get along just fine. For now… 😯
Best friends in no time those two…. Look, mr Ally is even smiling :)!!!
He is smiling! And quite a toothy grin at that! 😀
Great shots.
Thanks much for checking these out!
Wow! I love crocodiles! 🙂
They are fun aren’t they?! 😀
Thanks so much for looking!
By the look of his belly the heron doesn’t have anything to worry about.