Autumn Alligator
We haven’t seen any alligators in the past week since the temperatures here have begun to drop a bit. This isn’t unexpected at all and may, in fact, signal the end of alligator season until Spring. Even so, it’s still possible to see the occasional gator out and about during the Winter months. I even have a photo of an alligator in the snow that was taken during a rare South Carolina snowfall!
For now though, here’s one from last week that I thought I would share. And yes…for those of you sharp eyed viewers out there, it does indeed appear that one of his bird neighbors left a small deposit on our boy’s nose!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Wonderful photo, Phil. I really would love to just get a tissue and clean off that bird poo for him. 🙂
You are so kind and thoughtful Sylvia!
No, not for looking at my photos…for wanting to clean the bird poo off poor Mr. Gator’s nose. 😉 😀
That’s me all over……..kind and thoughtful. 😆
Again, great shots Phil.
Thanks very much Jan.
Fabulous shots Phil. A shame he’s having to suffer that indignity.. 🙂
Thanks, glad you like the pics! I decided not to point out the bird poop and laugh at the boy.
I will miss them! How soon will they be back? I am from Canada so our winters are probably longer than yours.
Well we will likely see them again in March/April but it’s possible to see an individual or two come out on a warm sunny day which we get plenty of even in winter.
Great. The reflections in the first pic are cool.
I’m happy you enjoyed these photos!
Wow, that is one big gator. Here in central Florida we tend to see them in the winter when the water is colder than the air and the sun is out. Never as big as that one though!
He was pretty good size but seemed well enough behaved. 🙂
We often do see some out in winter if we get a nice sunny day.
Great photos of this big boy! If your withdrawal symptoms get too bad, you can always head my way! LOL
Thanks for checking these out Molly! This past Spring was real bad for gator withdrawal. The marsh and swamp were real dry and low so the big guys did not come out very early. I’m hoping this Spring will be a lot better.
Who would have thunk but these guys are actually starting to grow on me, thanks to your brilliant shots. Don’t know how you’ve managed it, but you’ve made them almost lovable. 😉
Well see that’s how it happens…you start by looking at a few photos and the next thing you know you are driving them around in your car and bringing them to family functions and ball games. 😛 😀
Great photos of this big gator ! Absolute wonderful Photos end gator. Bye Phil Giovanna
Thank you Giovanna!
I say goodbye to this reptile for this season.
Hopefully he will make a surprise winter appearance.
Hullo, luv! Gorgeous shots. 🙂
Thanks a bunch!
Hi Phil,
stunning shots!!!
Thank you for looking moni and glad you liked these pics.
I wish Sylvia would have helped out the garor and cleaned off his nose. I’m sure he’s in good company I bet if you looked at the list of floks who have been pooped on over the year by a bird we would be surprised at all the fine targets.
If Sylvia was here I’m sure she would be happy to help our boy out here. Well…maybe 😛 😀
Thanks for checking out these pics!
So Phil, where do they go over winter?
Well they mostly winter farther back in the swamp where no one can get at them. Not even me. 🙂
They dig out a nice spot in the mud and hunker down for the winter. Although… it’s still possible to see an isolated individual out at any time of the year on a warm day.
So, a real hibernation, or do they stagger out to hunt every now and again when it’s warm?
It’s pretty much a hibernation. Their metabolism slows way down and they will not eat for months now, so no hunting.
We will get a few that come out on a warm day to soak up some sun. Today was a nice warm, sunny day so we checked over in the swamp and saw four. Two were napping on land and two were laying low in the swamp duckweed. I might a pic or two of them in the next day or so.
Phil, thanks for that – I get a good idea now.
Then I wondered what makes one or two emerge on a warm day in the depths of winter and not the rest of them. Are they the weakest or strongest animals, are they breeding – so many things to learn about the world around us! It’s wonderful that you have (made it possible for yourself to) this opportunity to study one little corner of it. 🙂
Well there actually could be many of all different sizes and ages out at any given time, we just don’t know.
The swamp area extends quite far back and much of it is not visible. It is not possible to go in by boat and there is no foot access so no one really knows for sure how many alligators and birds might be out and what they are doing.
The viewing opportunities and photos I get from the swamp area are all taken from a relatively small area considering the overall size of it. We would love to see other parts but just can not get to them.
Thanks much for your interest.
I love that there’re still places so wild and inaccessible left on our planet, though it’s a shame not to know more about these primordial creatures’ habits.
I appreciate your taking the time to fill me in though Phil.
God they’re beautiful Phil!
Well they sure are amazing! And I find them to be fascinating! Glad you like ’em too. 😀
Very brave bird to land on its nose. Hope you have a good zoom lens. I would be afraid to get that close to an alligator. Great shots again!
The bird more likely did a bombing run from above. It’s safer that way. Although I have seen birds walk across an alligator’s back. I have pics too. 🙂
Thanks for checking these out!