Looks Like Spring Has Arrived

So this morning I went over to the swamp not really expecting anything much to be going on but hoping I might catch a few ducks still hanging around the area. I wasn’t there two minutes before I glance down a pathway and who do I see sneaking himself across and back into the swamp?!? Yes indeed, it’s our old pal Mr. Gator! Apparently he had been mucking about in the mud on the other side of the swamp and decided he needed to wash off. So I went down to where he entered the water and watched as he slowly glided himself through the dried rushes, and back into the depths of the swamp.

Well OK then…I suppose Spring is officially here!

52 thoughts on “Looks Like Spring Has Arrived”

theforagingphotographer on March 5, 2013 at 4:41 pm said:

Lovely to see one out of the water, Phil – they are such beautiful creatures!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 5:11 pm said:
  
  I never get tired of seeing these guys, but seeing one walking on land is particularly interesting to me.
  They are the closest thing we have to a living dinosaur, and it really shows when they are up walking around.
  Glad you like these Lucy!
  
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Gunta on March 5, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:

Different, unique, intriguing even… but not quite sure I’d go so far as to say beautiful. 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 5:12 pm said:
  
  Well how about cute? You gotta give us cute right?!? 😀
  
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Sue on March 5, 2013 at 4:57 pm said:

Would they avoid you if they saw you, or just take a bite out of your leg to get you out of their way?

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 5:16 pm said:
  
  That’s a good question which so far I’m lucky to have not had answered. However some time ago I was standing looking out toward the swamp when I had a feeling I should look behind me. There was a large alligator coming up out of the pond on his way to the swamp and was only feet from me. I never heard a thing. I of course got out of it’s way and it just continued on and ignored me. But to this day I wonder what it (or I) would have done if I never saw it in advance. I *think* it would have just brushed by me or maybe knock me out of the way, but not sure if the heart attack would get me since the gator did not. 😯
  
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lylekrahn on March 5, 2013 at 5:17 pm said:

You must be excited to get your friends back.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 6:09 pm said:
  
  Oh yeah! I’m pumped for Spring alligator season!
  
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niasunset on March 5, 2013 at 5:28 pm said:

Oh my God! You can guess how I would have been….as if it is better to see him in the water… Thanks and Love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 6:10 pm said:
  
  Yes it can be unusual to see one walking. Better to see them in the water first then maybe some day closer. 🙂
  Thanks very much Nia!
  
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janmasyn on March 5, 2013 at 5:29 pm said:

Spring is in the air Phil, great shots of mr gator. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 6:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jan, yes I’m hoping this final day or two of cold weather is it and then Spring.
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on March 5, 2013 at 5:35 pm said:

You are brave. Very brave. Do you think the gator would take kindly to The Snuggler?

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 6:14 pm said:
  
  Oh not so brave, they like me and are happy to have me… uh, I mean see me. 🙂
  I just got an image in my head of putting out a big bowl of The Snuggler and having one of these guys walk up and start slurping it like German Shepard at his water trough. 😆 Although I’m not sure an intoxicated alligator is good news for anybody. 😯 🙂
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on March 6, 2013 at 2:29 pm said:
    
    Yes, I’m withdrawing my question at the thought of a drunk alligator. I feel that I’d be yelling “run for your life!!!!”
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:37 pm said:
      
      The thing to remember is that you don’t have to be able to run faster then the alligator, you only have to be able to run faster then the person next to you. 🙂
      
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      - Cowboys and Crossbones on March 7, 2013 at 1:07 pm said:
        
        Heard. And now forever imprinted on my brain as a tip that may come in handy one day!
        
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dinajohnston on March 5, 2013 at 5:40 pm said:

I never get to see them moving! Nice catch!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 6:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks it is quite the experience to see one just walking around like that.
  
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Molly Argo on March 5, 2013 at 6:17 pm said:

Whenever they start moving from place to place down here, it only means one thing-GIRLS! Do you think he might be on the hunt for a mate?

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:39 pm said:
  
  That would normally be what I would assume but it *should* be too early in the season for that type of behavior. However, what I left out of the story was that several were also bellowing at each other. Again, should be too early for all that but it could mean not just and early Spring, but a *very* early Spring.
  
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einfachtilda on March 5, 2013 at 6:42 pm said:

Yes, it is time for a mud bath and fresh spring water. 😀
Spring is coming.

Greetings from Mathilda 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:39 pm said:
  
  Yes a nice bath with fresh water is perfect on a Spring day! 😀
  
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WinstonePhotography on March 5, 2013 at 7:28 pm said:

wowza, what an amazing capturing of these creatures! gave me slight chills though 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:40 pm said:
  
  Well I really appreciate you looking and commenting, thanks!
  
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adinparadise on March 5, 2013 at 9:32 pm said:

That first pic is positively prehistoric. 🙂 Great captures again, Phil. Are you on nodding terms with the gators? 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:41 pm said:
  
  They do look like living dinosaurs don’t they?! I always attempt to be in the best of terms with this group. No point in anyone having hurt feelings. 😀
  Thanks Sylvia!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on March 6, 2013 at 3:26 am said:

My gosh that would send me into a panic if I just happened on Mr. Gator. Was he a big one? I read another blog where they have crocs and the girl scientist got her leg bitten by running across one coming out of the brush. You must be very careful. If anything like that croc they don’t let go. I would miss your beautiful photographs!!!! Oh, that came out wrong, I would miss you too.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:43 pm said:
  
  It is always quite amazing to see one walking around.
  I would estimate this guy at approx. 7-8 feet in length. That tail was fairly long. 😯
  Nice to know you would miss me. 😀
  Thanks for looking!
  
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roughseasinthemed on March 6, 2013 at 6:22 am said:

I just love that purposeful walk, and those tiny little legs look so odd on such a powerful and elegant body. The shape is quite fascinating. Sort of dinosaur crossed with dachshund.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:44 pm said:
  
  I like your analogy. 🙂 Odd enough to see one walking around, but I have seen them *run* and I mean run!
  
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sallywoodphotography on March 6, 2013 at 10:22 am said:

He looks as though he has been eating quite well!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:45 pm said:
  
  Give him a few weeks and he should fatten up nice, he is in low matabolism mode now but will make up for all summer. 🙂
  
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joserasan66 on March 6, 2013 at 10:42 am said:

Donde Estan Mis Aves???… Fue Este Quien Se Las Comio??… Sin Duda Una Gran Serie, Siempre Consigues Sorprenderme…. Un Saludo.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Yo no creo que él fue el que comieron los pájaros. Pero hay que tener cuidado. 😯 🙂
  ¡gracias
  
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Chillbrook on March 6, 2013 at 11:00 am said:

I always like it when Mr Gator puts in an appearance Phil. Great shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  Oh well sure, you gotta love happy Mr. Gator! Thanks very much Adrian!
  
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Gracie on March 6, 2013 at 12:58 pm said:

Great shot, Phil!
Spring has sprung alright, and it brought the gator with him 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks Gracie, but I’m just thinking if they are out doing this stuff already, it could be a wild summer. 😯 🙂
  
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Ewa on March 6, 2013 at 4:01 pm said:

Wow, it’s really great to have such meeting. Especially instead of ducks 🙂 Last month I saw waran. Or, more accurately, first two warans in my life 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on March 6, 2013 at 5:49 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much I’m happy you like these photos and yes much better then ducks. 🙂
  Where did you see the waran? I have never seen one?
  
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  - Ewa on March 6, 2013 at 5:54 pm said:
    
    It was in Sri Lanka. One in the forest (Sigiriya), near river and then another one in a lake right in the city centre (Kandy).
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:15 pm said:
      
      Wow! Amazing. I would love to see those.
      
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      - Ewa on March 9, 2013 at 8:12 am said:
        
        I don’t have any good photos of them. But I’ll try to upload something later 🙂
        
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sarahlouisek on March 6, 2013 at 7:32 pm said:

Great photos. I see now how well they blend in, with their natural camouflage.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, yes they do a good job blending in. There are many times it would be easy to miss one but I suppose that’s good for them.
  
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Bella Remy Photography on March 6, 2013 at 7:35 pm said:

Still the idea of an alligator just walking around right where you are freaks me out.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:18 pm said:
  
  You have to come down here some time this summer and watch the parade. Fun for the whole family! 😀
  
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FeyGirl on March 6, 2013 at 11:35 pm said:

LOVE to see them walking!!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:19 pm said:
  
  I never get tired of seeing it myself! 🙂
  
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Dusty Roads on March 8, 2013 at 8:56 pm said:

Love Mr. Gator. Great shot walking across the road! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:54 am said:
  
  Well sure, you gotta love our pal happy Mr. Gator! 😀
  Thanks!
  
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