Mister Popular

I was going through some file photos today when I found this shot from the swamp that I had forgotten I even took.

This poor alligator only wanted a little peace and quiet so that he could enjoy a relaxing nap in the sun, but the whole crowd apparently decided they needed to hang out there with him. There is a mix of snowy and great egrets (including a great egret that just arrived) and looks like a little blue heron standing by himself on the right side. With the noise and constant bickering of the snowys, it’s doubtful the gator will be getting much sleep which could make him a little cranky!

33 thoughts on “Mister Popular”

Chillbrook on March 19, 2013 at 2:45 pm said:

I really feel for poor Mr Gator. I sometimes find myself a quiet spot along the coast to stop and take pictures and often within minutes, I’m joined by a whole bunch of people who clearly think this must be a good place to stop if I’m there.. 😐

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- Jon Rista on March 19, 2013 at 3:45 pm said:
  
  I feel your pain, ChillB! I feel your pain…
  
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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 6:27 pm said:
  
  Oh I know what you mean, I generally prefer to work without a crowd but often have no control over that. The other problem is when people want to carry on long conversations when I am trying to concentrate on getting a shot. I can’t tell you how many wildlife actions shots I have missed because I was busy answering a question. Oh well…
  
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mariayarri on March 19, 2013 at 3:37 pm said:

I love this photo with the big Gator and the fragile birds … // Maria

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 6:27 pm said:
  
  Glad you like it Maria!
  
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janmasyn on March 19, 2013 at 3:37 pm said:

The poor guy is surrounded with snowy’s and other egrets, life in the swamps, nice shot Phil. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 6:28 pm said:
  
  He is surrounded and since he does not feel like leaving he just has to put up with a noisy crowd.
  Thanks Jan.
  
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Jon Rista on March 19, 2013 at 3:45 pm said:

That’s a grand host of Egrets! I find it interesting they seem to enjoy hanging out around gators…that doesn’t seem to be all that uncommon. 😛

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 6:30 pm said:
  
  I think sometimes the birds actually feel safe hanging around an alligator. That way, being close to an alligator, they can be fairly sure some other predator like a coyote or bobcat won’t try to bother with them. 😀
  
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Gunta on March 19, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:

I’d call that quite brazen! Almost seems as though them egrets need to learn some manners.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 6:31 pm said:
  
  Oh they are completely ill mannered! A guy is trying to get some rest and the last thing he needs is a noisy crowd hanging around. 😦
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on March 19, 2013 at 5:01 pm said:

Fearless birds who just want to party! Mr. Gator should feel appreciative that he’s included. Birds just wanna have fun!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 6:32 pm said:
  
  Oh it was party time alright! These birds do just wanna have fun and part of the thrill of the event is living life on the edge. 😀
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on March 20, 2013 at 11:50 am said:
    
    Couldn’t agree with you more!
    
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lylekrahn on March 19, 2013 at 5:34 pm said:

Sometimes company just doesn’t know when to leave.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 6:33 pm said:
  
  Those birds are totally self centered, especially the snowys. For them it’s always me me me! 🙂
  
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Molly Argo on March 19, 2013 at 8:08 pm said:

Great photo of every day life in the swamp. And I know all to well about distractions! I have been quietly setting up to take a photo when some #$&*@ comes running up yelling “what do you see, what do you see??!”-nothing now, thanks!!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 20, 2013 at 12:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks Molly, glad you liked the group photo!
  Last summer I was set up on a clapper rail which is a rather secretive and elusive bird and are not often seen in the open. I was waiting for it to hopefully come out of the reeds when some woman that I did not even know was there came up behind me and shouted out…”WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?” After I was done jumping three feet in the air, I quietly explained to her about the bird and so she reacted by yelling out to her husband…”HEY FRED COME OVER AND LOOK AT THIS BIRD!”.
  Oh boy…
  
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Stewart Monckton on March 20, 2013 at 4:59 am said:

I think he may just want to be left alone! Nice picture.

Your bird posts would work well at Wild Bird Wednesday, which runs on a Wednesday (!) on my blog. About 60 blogs from around the world link up through WBW. You would be very welcome.

Cheers

Stewart M – Melbourne

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- Phil Lanoue on March 20, 2013 at 12:52 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for looking at this photo and commenting, I appreciate it.
  I will make a point to check out your blog for WBW! Thank you for inviting me.
  
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Amy on March 20, 2013 at 9:35 am said:

Great shot, Phil. OK, I won’t carry on a long conversation… 😀
Happy Wednesday!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 20, 2013 at 12:53 pm said:
  
  Ok, thanks Amy, I’m counting on you to remain verrrrry quiet. 😉 😀
  
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Maggie Davey on March 20, 2013 at 1:05 pm said:

I can’t believe the alligator didn’t react! Although, if I looked as gorgeous as those egrets, I think I might be me me me too!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 22, 2013 at 10:49 am said:
  
  His only reaction that I could see was possibly a brief look of disgust at everybody making so much noise around him while he was trying to sleep. He mostly wanted to be left alone but instead a party broke out.
  
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adinparadise on March 20, 2013 at 2:18 pm said:

You’d really think those egrets would learn to respect his siesta time, wouldn’t you? They obviously aren’t afraid of upsetting him. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 22, 2013 at 10:51 am said:
  
  I know! Where is the respect?! The poor guy wants to catch a small quiet nap in the sun and instead he gets a crowd of noisy neighbors! Sometimes you just can’t win out there. 🙂
  
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Bella Remy Photography on March 20, 2013 at 8:14 pm said:

Nothing like being a gator doormat. Brilliant capture Phil. Such a moment.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 22, 2013 at 10:52 am said:
  
  He was getting zero respect from a crowd of noisy neighbors.
  Thanks very much Emily, so glad you enjoyed this alligator photo!
  
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Katariina Partala on March 21, 2013 at 11:05 am said:

Oh, poor him… At least he got some new friends!! :p

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- Phil Lanoue on March 22, 2013 at 10:53 am said:
  
  Poor him is right, and sure he got lots of new friends, but I think at this point he would have been more happy with less friends. 😀
  
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roughseasinthemed on March 21, 2013 at 6:21 pm said:

Love the juxtaposition of birds and gators. Now if only people could get along so well.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 22, 2013 at 10:54 am said:
  
  Thanks, glad you liked this pic! It’s tough one to expect people to get along that well in a close environment. 🙂
  
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WinstonePhotography on March 23, 2013 at 12:48 pm said:

Love this one and the title hehe 🙂

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