New Year’s Alligator And Bald Eagle

Well I guess it should not come as a complete surprise that I would start off 2013 with an alligator!

So this morning we decided to head over to the swamp and see if anything was going on. Not too much at first, the usual coots, moorhens, grebes, and various species of ducks, but no alligators at all that we could spot. Within about 15 or 20 minutes though we saw this alligator come gliding in on his way to pick out a nice place to enjoy his daily nap.

He most likely got up from a nap so that he could swim over and take another nap, but anyway we were happy to see our first gator of the new year.

A short time later we saw what we thought might be a bald eagle come soaring in from the far edge of the swamp and then swoop down and hug the tree line as it passed by. It was indeed an eagle and we watched as it flew past the swamp and continued on along the marsh pond still flying just above the trees. There are a few tall pine trees where we have seen eagles previously and thought that might be where this one was headed. At first it seemed to pass those trees by and we figured it was gone for the day. But then it did a banking turn and headed right for one of the pines where it took roost.

Since the alligator looked like he was not planning any further activity, and the ducks were not doing anything very exciting we decided to see if we could find the eagle’s tree, and hoped it would still be in it when we arrived. We found the suspected tree fairly quickly and sure enough the eagle was still sitting there.

We set up on the eagle and I grabbed a few perched shots and then managed to get some flight photos as it took off.

New Years alligator and bald eagle…What a great way to kick off 2013!

Alligator Arrives in the Swamp

Alligator Arrives in the Swamp

Alligator Arrives in the Swamp

Alligator Arrives in the Swamp

Alligator Arrives in the Swamp

Bald Eagle in Pine Tree

Bald Eagle in Pine Tree

Bald Eagle in Pine Tree

Bald Eagle in Pine Tree

59 thoughts on “New Year’s Alligator And Bald Eagle”

    • That’s a good question and until you asked it I had not thought about what the follow up to this will be.
      So I’m guessin’ a photo of an egret just standing there doing nothing for tomorrow’s post might be a bit of a let down. 😕

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  2. What a great way to start the new year! A trip without a gator is like a day without sunshine. And jaw-dropping shots of ole baldy. Where do you go from here? Next week I expect you to provide shots of a Limpkin and a Snail Kite fighting over escargot! 🙂

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    • Well thanks, I’m glad you thought this was a good start to the year!
      But where do I go from here?!? Maybe tomorrow I’ll spot an eagle riding an alligator like a surfboard.
      But, uh, probably not. 😦 Oh well, we shall see… 😀

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  5. beautiful shots… I just love Eagles…. there is a reason why there are the USA’s “bird!”…..Also, aren’t you afraid the alligator will come after you……. remember, I grew up in Minnesota…….. no gators there,, only Timber Wolves. LOL…

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  12. If we could have have this laundry list: “usual coots, moorhens, grebes, and various species of ducks” Just rub it in won’t you? You are truly fortunate to enjoy so much wildlife and what a great way to kick start the new year. Although the one BE pic with the sticks between his legs..kind of strange. 🙂

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  22. A beautiful and peaceful way to start off the year, Phil.

    On a different note, what type of camera/lens do you shoot with (if you don’t mind divulging your secrets, that is!)? I have a Sigma 150-500mm lens that I use with my Nikon D7000 for my wildlife shots, but I’m hoping that the Birthday Fairy will bring me a converter in a couple weeks. Thanks in advance! : )

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  25. WOW! Eagle so impressive…. I loved these photographs. But yes, alligator’s photographs are great too, and I am afraid you will make me friend with him 🙂 at the end! Thanks and Love, nia

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