Nothing To Worry About

A while back I saw this great blue heron fishing in the shallow water of the marsh pond. The heron paused for a bit when his pal Mr. Alligator slowly floated into the scene.

The heron was cautious and observant but unconcerned since the alligator was not in stealthy hunt mode, and also a relatively small alligator like this would likely not bother a great blue heron. Besides the heron knew it could fly off in an instant and immediately be up and far away.

We often see birds and alligators fishing together in the same area. The common goal is to get plenty of fish to eat. Plus the birds may actually be attracted to an area where an alligator is actively feeding. They know the gator can stir up the water and the fish making the fish easier to catch.

Nothing to Worry About

53 thoughts on “Nothing To Worry About”

  3. Really, nothing to worry about. There are plenty of ducks and turtles and delicious fish to fill his belly. A GBH is too big to swallow in a gulp, so the gator would have to drown it and stash the body underwater for a while (until nature softens the carcass up for bite-sized pieces.
    Another great reflection shot – and I notice how clear the water is. Looks like a great place to visit. Thanks for bringing us there.

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      • Stop by? Of COURSE I’m gonna stop by. Your photos are nothing short of masterful; and I look forward to each new post. You have the touch. I do not – but I count on artists like you to add visuals to the arcane knowledge I’ve amassed about wetlands and their denizens.

        The GBH is keeping an eye on the gator; but the bird knows that the gator is not in serious eating mode during the day, and is content to “nibble” on some easy snacks. Nightfall brings a new reality, though. Nocturnal creatures are on the menu – even the big ones.

        I once witnessed an amazing scene during the day … a BIG gator (one of FeyGirl’s favorites) was snoozing on the bank, and a couple Turkey vultures were having a ball pecking on his tail. That would never happen at twilight – although I think even a gator would think twice about eating a buzzard! 🙂

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        • Thanks a milion for your kind words and I’m thrilled you enjoy the photos!
          When our pal Mr. Alligator goes into stealth mode it usually means he is under the water slinking along slowly toward his prey. When he gets right next to some unsuspecting bird (for instance) he bursts out of the water and grabs the prey in one fast move. We have seen this happen and it can happen in regular bright daylight too.
          Other times it’s simply bad luck for some poor bird. It lands on the edge of a pond not realizing an alligator is right there. (it happens) The alligator who was not hunting at all and simply seizes the opportunity and grabs the unlucky menu item. 😯

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          • Heh heh … although they are actually quite smart, there is a reason they’re called “bird brains”. I once had the unfortunate role in a gator’s dinner. I was shooting a group of waders. They were suspicious and nervous about me, and started doing an “exit stage left”. Paying more attention to me than to the path ahead. WHAM! One less Ibis came home that night. I felt so guilty; but it didn’t seem to upset the gator whatsoever. :@)

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    • I am still amazed and thrilled by their behavior as well Emily. And as long as they keeping doing things like this, I hope to be there to see and potentially photograph it. 🙂

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    • Yeah the birds seem to know when the gator is just cruisin’ by and when to watch out. Well at least they hope to have the opportunity to make that decision. When an alligator goes full stealth mode, they need to be very careful.

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    • It is a potential good example of creatures and species that you might expect to have completely divergent purposes and motivations in life, being able to come together for a common cause which is survival. However, for an alligator to take a bird it would be doing so for it’s own survival and certainly not to be mean, so we do have that scenario. Interesting behavior out there.

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    • Thanks a bunch Sylvia! Yes our pal Mr. Alligator could indeed take a nice chomp out of the heron’s reflection leaving the bird unscathed. But also making happy Mr. Gator grumpy Mr. Gator because he is still hungry.
      And a hungry and grumpy alligator is not good for anybody. 😯 😀

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        • Ohhhhh no! We have Black Angus NY Strip Steaks for the grill and Mr. A is not getting one of those! He is just going to have be on his own for supper. 😀 And if that makes him cranky well so be it. Too bad for him!
          (notice how I’m talking tough when he is not around) 😳

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    • Thank you! For a little while now this has sort of been a specialty of mine, trying to get birds and alligators in the same photo. I’m glad you enjoy this type of image!

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  20. Love it… I often see the younger guys (gators) hanging around the waders. Like, hey, so I was just checking out the meals around here because you’re a big bird with a big appetite, who obviously knows the way around a fish or two. Or ten.

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    • It does seem like it should not happen that way but the two species do almost cooperate when it comes to feeding time. As long as it’s not one of them getting fed on. 😯 😀

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