Manny, Moe and Jack

This morning started off sunny and fairly mild so we went over to the swamp hoping some of our reptile friends might be out relaxing in the sunshine. We quickly noticed Manny, Moe and Jack were lounging around at the edge of the water taking advantage of some pleasant sunlight. Moe decided he needed a bit more sun on his face so he turned around to position himself at a better angle for that, followed soon by Jack who had the same idea.

Although Jack was clearly enjoying the morning sun, he apparently thought things were getting a bit too crowded in that location so he headed off find a nap spot of his own. It was too bad he left because he missed all the excitement as a moorhen that was picking at marsh weeds came floating into the scene. Well maybe excitement isn’t the best description of the event as Manny and Moe appeared completely unimpressed and totally disinterested in the moorhen’s presence.

41 thoughts on “Manny, Moe and Jack”

jimbey on January 10, 2013 at 1:38 pm said:

Darn gators never listen to us. “Eat Moorhen, less Heron”.

I was out in the northern Everglades yesterday. Not a gator to be found – but the best birding day I’ve had in years. No bald eagle, no green heron – but just about every other swamp/marsh critter, including the biggest gathering of Roseate Spoonbills I’ve ever seen.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 1:50 pm said:
  
  Those alligators never do seem to take direction very well do they?!
  
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roughseasinthemed on January 10, 2013 at 1:40 pm said:

Love your bird pix but your allies are superb, just adore them! And two in one. Bird plus allie!!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 1:52 pm said:
  
  Well I’m happy to hear you are a fan of the alligators!
  I call those photos where there is a bird, or birds, in the same frame with alligators “Proximity” shots.
  I try to purposely look for those photo opportunities whenever possible.
  Thanks very much for checking out these pics!
  
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janmasyn on January 10, 2013 at 2:02 pm said:

Great shots of the gators Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 2:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks jan, they seemed happy this morning. Well, as best as you can tell anyway. 🙂
  
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dinajohnston on January 10, 2013 at 4:31 pm said:

Nice group of alligators you have there. I don’t know whether that moorhen is brave or just stupid.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 9:18 pm said:
  
  There was nice little group out this morning. 🙂
  These guys were not in feeding mode right now so the moorhen was not in much danger.
  
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Chillbrook on January 10, 2013 at 4:35 pm said:

I just love seeing these creature Phil. As always, fabulous pictures! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 9:19 pm said:
  
  I’m very happy you enjoy seeing these alligators Adrian! Thanks
  
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Patrizia M. on January 10, 2013 at 4:59 pm said:

Sembra impossibile vedere come è indifferente alla presenza della gallinella, il primo pensiero che viene nel vedere queste splendide foto è che poi se la mangi in un boccone. Molto meglio per la gallinella che non lo abbia fatto!! 🙂
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 9:27 pm said:
  
  Non ora avete fame così l’uccello è sicuro 😀
  Grazie per lo sguardo a queste foto!
  
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einfachtilda on January 10, 2013 at 5:23 pm said:

Hatten die keinen Appetit auf Entenbraten?

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 9:24 pm said:
  
  Ha ha ha ha Keine Ente heute 😆
  
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lylekrahn on January 10, 2013 at 6:13 pm said:

The gator friends are back? I thot they went to the outer reaches of the swamp for the winter or is your winter already over?

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 9:22 pm said:
  
  They are mostly still in for the season. But when we get a mild day like today with a lot of sun there is the possibilty for one or two to come out for a nap in the sun. Today we happened to see several.
  Supposed to be 70F here for a few days so I will go back and keep looking for them. They may be confused and think Spring is here already but we will have winter through Feb.
  
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Scott Marshall on January 10, 2013 at 7:21 pm said:

Hell these things make me nervous and I am only looking at an image Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 9:22 pm said:
  
  But they are so cute and cuddly. 😀
  
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Maleea on January 10, 2013 at 8:26 pm said:

I can’t believe how active these guys have been! Great shots as always Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 10, 2013 at 9:23 pm said:
  
  A warm day with strong sun will do that.
  Thanks for checking these out Maleea!
  
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Gunta on January 11, 2013 at 3:17 am said:

Thanks for the alligator shots again. You’ve certainly made a believer out of me. I’m actually learning to like the critters. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 12, 2013 at 10:40 am said:
  
  I’m very happy you like my alligator photos Gunta! They do kind of grow on ya don’t they? 😀
  
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monisertel on January 11, 2013 at 12:25 pm said:

Hello Phil,
thank you for this stunning series!!!
Wish you a nice weekend,
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on January 12, 2013 at 10:40 am said:
  
  Than you moni I’m happy you like these!
  Enjoy your weekend!
  
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Molly Argo on January 11, 2013 at 5:12 pm said:

Love your photos and narration!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 12, 2013 at 10:41 am said:
  
  As always I truly appreciate you looking and commenting Molly!
  
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ManoliRizoFotografia on January 12, 2013 at 4:34 am said:

Cada día me sorprendes más, admiro tu valor, yo no sería capaz ni de acercarme al pantano!!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 12, 2013 at 10:43 am said:
  
  Estoy muy agradecido por sus amables palabras! 😀
  
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Maggie Davey on January 12, 2013 at 9:43 am said:

Hi from England! Love the pics of the moorhen perilously near the alligators, is the moorhen not aware of them, silly enough not to bother, or does it know when they are no threat? The workings of wild creatures minds never fails to intrigue me!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 12, 2013 at 10:45 am said:
  
  Hi Maggie, thank you very much for looking and commenting on these photos!
  The birds do seem to know when the alligators are not in a hunting and feeding mode. This time of year the alligators do not really eat at all. Come Spring they will be very hungry though and the birds will know this too. 😯 🙂
  
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FeyGirl on January 12, 2013 at 11:18 am said:

Great little group!!! Wonderful shot.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 13, 2013 at 4:44 pm said:
  
  They were some group alright! They did seem to be enjoying their day!
  
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theforagingphotographer on January 12, 2013 at 1:42 pm said:

Ha ha Phil the last picture is hilarious! 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on January 13, 2013 at 4:45 pm said:
  
  Hey glad you liked the pics! They have fun out there! heh heh 🙂
  
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roughseasinthemed on January 12, 2013 at 4:22 pm said:

Ha! Brilliant pix. I’m starting to think your gators look like large geckos 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on January 13, 2013 at 4:47 pm said:
  
  So glad you liked the alligator photos!
  I won’t mention that gecko remark to them. I think they kind of see themselves as hardened warriors and I know they can be rather sensitive, and we *certainly* do not want any hurt feelings out there. 😉 😀
  
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Bella Remy Photography on January 13, 2013 at 8:05 pm said:

Did I just “like” this? Well.. I do like this post quite a lot Phil ! So much reading to catch up on.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 13, 2013 at 8:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million for checking this out Emily and glad you liked the gator gang! 🙂
  
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adinparadise on January 18, 2013 at 5:15 pm said:

Great photos again, Phil. I get the impression that these alligators never open their mouths, even to say “Boo” to a moorhen. 🙂

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sallywoodphotography on February 7, 2013 at 8:19 pm said:

You could write children’s books… lol……….. great story and great photos…….. still can’t quite warm up to those gators…..

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- Phil Lanoue on February 10, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  Heh heh thanks Sally! You gotta love the gators! 😀
  
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