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!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Lovely to see one out of the water, Phil – they are such beautiful creatures!
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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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Different, unique, intriguing even… but not quite sure I’d go so far as to say beautiful. 😀
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Well how about cute? You gotta give us cute right?!? 😀
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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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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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You must be excited to get your friends back.
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Oh yeah! I’m pumped for Spring alligator season!
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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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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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Spring is in the air Phil, great shots of mr gator. 🙂
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Thanks Jan, yes I’m hoping this final day or two of cold weather is it and then Spring.
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You are brave. Very brave. Do you think the gator would take kindly to The Snuggler?
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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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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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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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Heard. And now forever imprinted on my brain as a tip that may come in handy one day!
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I never get to see them moving! Nice catch!
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Thanks it is quite the experience to see one just walking around like that.
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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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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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Yes, it is time for a mud bath and fresh spring water. 😀
Spring is coming.
Greetings from Mathilda 😉
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Yes a nice bath with fresh water is perfect on a Spring day! 😀
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wowza, what an amazing capturing of these creatures! gave me slight chills though 😉
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Well I really appreciate you looking and commenting, thanks!
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That first pic is positively prehistoric. 🙂 Great captures again, Phil. Are you on nodding terms with the gators? 😀
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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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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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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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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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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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He looks as though he has been eating quite well!
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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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Donde Estan Mis Aves???… Fue Este Quien Se Las Comio??… Sin Duda Una Gran Serie, Siempre Consigues Sorprenderme…. Un Saludo.
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Yo no creo que él fue el que comieron los pájaros. Pero hay que tener cuidado. 😯 🙂
¡gracias
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I always like it when Mr Gator puts in an appearance Phil. Great shots!
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Oh well sure, you gotta love happy Mr. Gator! Thanks very much Adrian!
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Great shot, Phil!
Spring has sprung alright, and it brought the gator with him 😉
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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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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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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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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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Wow! Amazing. I would love to see those.
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I don’t have any good photos of them. But I’ll try to upload something later 🙂
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Great photos. I see now how well they blend in, with their natural camouflage.
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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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Still the idea of an alligator just walking around right where you are freaks me out.
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You have to come down here some time this summer and watch the parade. Fun for the whole family! 😀
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LOVE to see them walking!!
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I never get tired of seeing it myself! 🙂
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Love Mr. Gator. Great shot walking across the road! 🙂
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Well sure, you gotta love our pal happy Mr. Gator! 😀
Thanks!
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