Morning In The Swamp
I know what you all have been thinking…you know them, you love them, you can’t live without them…so where are the alligators?!
Well this turned out to be a warm sunny morning so I figured I would head out to the swamp to see if anybody might be out sunbathing. And yes indeed there was!
Several gators were out enjoying a pleasant nap in the sun, while various coots and moorhens went about their morning, floating around picking at swamp weeds, squawking and fussing at each other as is their typical behavior. One particularly curious coot even followed an alligator as it glided slowly along in the swamp. Possibly it was a young bird and had never seen an alligator before. The alligator, however, didn’t pay any attention to the coot and continued on his way to pick out a nice spot in the sun!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Wow! Just WOWWWW!!!
Thanks very much I appreciate that! 🙂
I had been missing the ‘gators. Smashing series Phil. I particularly like 2nd from last and the first. The colours are fabulous.
Thanks very much and I don’t want anyone to have to go through the pain of alligator withdrawl. 😯 😀
Amazing photos again, Phil. Nice to see the Allis have surfaced again. That duck seems very unperturbed. Maybe he knows that alligators don’t like duck on the menu. 😕
Thanks a bunch Sylvia. On a warm sunny day like today I thought for sure some would emerge from their mud wallow and try to catch a few rays! 🙂
WOW, more amazing shots. They sort of make me tremble… I would be frightened to get close to those gators. Did that bird get attacked? I always love your shots, so beautiful!
Hey thanks I’m glad you enjoyed these pics! (well maybe “enjoyed” isn’t the proper term, heh heh) but anyway I appreciate you checking them out.
Although an alligator is perfectly capable of taking a bird like that, they won’t bother the birds now. They are more interested in a snooze in the sun, then a potential meal at this time of year.
And you want to see close…check out this post of mine from Sept. 😀
https://phillanoue.com/2012/09/09/you-never-know-what-may-come-creeping-out-of-the-weeds/
That is good to know, I always had the idea that gators are always hungry. and WOWZA, I just looked at your post from September, I would be scared to death to capture those gators… but absolutely impeccable shots, great work!!!
Thanks a million for your kind words and I’m glad you looked at that Sept. post with the big guy coming right toward me. In a situation like that they mostly just want to get from one place to another. Mostly. 🙂
hehe I like the mostly…. that is what you probably have to repeat in your mind during the shoot. But you came out alive which is good!
Heh heh yes coming out alive is always good, and the alternative sure would spoil a weekend.
Most definitely!
Even gators need a nice snooze in the sun 🙂
They sure do, and sometimes I think they are the only ones around here that know what they are doing.
Gotta love a snooze in the sun. 🙂
I really love them Gators! I’m happy that you still have some hanging around to share. Great shots!
Thanks Molly and yeah I expected there would be a few out this morning since the warm sun often entices them to find a nice spot to lay around in. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are still out there now. 🙂
The swamp is a lovely place to take photo’s, your shots are great Phil.
Thanks very much Jan, I enjoy getting out on a nice morning like this to view wildlife.
I’m glad you know when they’re not hungry. That second last shot with the reflection is my favourite of all your gator shots – and that is saying something.
Well thanks so much for your kind comments on the alligator shots and glad you really like that one with the reflection!
A nice day for having a rest in the sun. I love your pics. They are great.
These guys know how to rest that’s for sure. 🙂 Thanks
Excellent shots, Phil.
Thanks for looking Gracie!
Grandi scatti, complimenti Phil
Ciao, Pat
Grazie Pat 🙂
Boy these guys are scary looking. Great captures. I love the 2nd to last image.
Awww Edith they are not scary, more like cute and cuddly. 😀 Thanks for looking!
Good grief! Where do you LIVE?! ; ) These are great shots, Phil, and that coot was one brave bird.
Heh heh I’m in the coastal South Carolina area. I guess people don’t think of us having alligators but we do have some. 🙂 I’m glad you liked the photos!
Awww… them gators are almost starting to look cute to me! Who would have thunk? Pic #3 & 4 sure make them look especially prehistoric. Despite your disclaimers, I sure wouldn’t want to get too close to ’em. Especially not like in the Sept post! 🙂
Oh they are plenty cute alright, and cuddly too. 😀 Glad you liked these pics and that post from Sept. too. Doesn’t it make you want to reach out and give him a little scritch between the ears?!
Where the heck are his ears anyway? 😕 🙂
Hello Phil,
stunning series!
Thank you moni, so glad you liked these pics!
Oh My God! They are again… You are amazing… Thanks and Love, nia
Thank you for your visit Nia and for looking at my scary alligator photos! 😯 😀
Just sailing along and singing a song. They all look so happy !
The sun was out nice and strong, that usually puts a ‘smile’ in their face. 🙂
I’m still not a big dan of alligators but I have to say that these pics are super cool 😀
Well I am happy you enjoyed these photos of my alligator friends. 😀
Never call an alligator “friend”… they’ll eat you when you don’t notice!! :p
Great shots Phil. See you in the moring
Thanks for stopping by Jim and I appreciate your comments!