I Knew He Was Up To Something!

Tuesday afternoon I spotted this alligator sitting quietly in the marsh pond. Oh sure, he looks all innocent and cute but I could tell by that look on his face he was up to something. Within moments he busts up out of the water with a blue crab. So that’s what the little sneak was doing! He very likely had his mouth open under water where we couldn’t see it, just waiting for some unfortunate fish or crab to float by and then snap! After he was done crunching poor crabby he settled back down into the water looking all pleased and satisfied with himself.

50 thoughts on “I Knew He Was Up To Something!”

Gunta on April 26, 2013 at 1:32 pm said:

The appetizer perhaps?

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:
  
  Probably. He was right back at it looking for the main course after he finished his crab starter. 🙂
  
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niasunset on April 26, 2013 at 1:42 pm said:

He he he! I was wondering what happened to our Mr.Alligator, dear Phil. 🙂 You can’t believe (even myself too) I really began to love him… Of course behind this love there should be your amazing photography that I love him 🙂 And also I can imagine or guess the patient moments of waiting for all these poses… You are amazing and always you get best shots. What can I say more, welcome Mr. Alligator, it is better to eat fish and crabs instead of us.
Thank you, have a nice weekend, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Hi Nia, I am so happy that you enjoy the alligator photos and that you look forward to seeing them. I will have to let Mr. Alligator know that he has a friend. 🙂
  Thank you very much and I hope you enjoy your weekend!
  
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HansHB on April 26, 2013 at 2:01 pm said:

Great photos, as always!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Hans, I appreciate it!
  
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Deb W. Trotter on April 26, 2013 at 2:11 pm said:

I could never look at an alligator and think he looked “innocent and cute!!!” Great photos of the hungry beast.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 4:06 pm said:
  
  Awww…he’s sorta cute 🙂 Glad you liked the photos of the big guy and his snack!
  
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thehappyhugger on April 26, 2013 at 2:30 pm said:

Alligators should really have their own “Jaws” music 🙂 Great shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 4:07 pm said:
  
  I have kind of a running sound track going on in my head when I’m watching these guys that often includes dialogue as well. You have to talk for the animals. 🙂
  Thanks so much for looking!
  
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meyer23 on April 26, 2013 at 4:54 pm said:

Great shots. Never saw an alligator having a snack before.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks! Well everybody enjoys a nice snack! 🙂
  
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pixelspielerei on April 26, 2013 at 5:04 pm said:

And he is smiling again! 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:11 pm said:
  
  He is always smiling for the camera! 😀
  
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dinajohnston on April 26, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:

With a little salad mixed in? Nice catch!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:12 pm said:
  
  Well sure, a well balanced meal is important. Thanks!
  
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David on April 26, 2013 at 5:09 pm said:

Nice catch … for the both of you. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks! He was happy, I was happy… 🙂
  
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edithlevyphotography on April 26, 2013 at 5:35 pm said:

Poor crab. Beautifully captured Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:13 pm said:
  
  This was not a good day for poor crabby. Glad you liked the pics!
  
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janmasyn on April 26, 2013 at 5:40 pm said:

Awesome shots Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much jan.
  
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Bella Remy Photography on April 26, 2013 at 6:27 pm said:

These crabs in the mouth shots you capture are fantastic ! Love them Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:14 pm said:
  
  I’m very happy you enjoy these photos Emily! I never grow tired of getting a feeding action shot of the big guys. 🙂
  
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Andrew on April 26, 2013 at 7:40 pm said:

I am surprised he would bother with something so small. Maybe a whole plate of them but one crab? It will never keep a growing alligator going for long. That boy needs a square meal.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:15 pm said:
  
  You should see the photos I got of one devouring a pelican. It was not pretty but it was a meal.
  
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Jane Lurie on April 26, 2013 at 9:59 pm said:

Your in a mind meld with these gators, Phil! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:17 pm said:
  
  Funny you should mention that Jane. I had just arrived at the marsh and decided to set up on this guy as soon as I saw him; something about the way he looked. A couple minutes later two friends of mine showed up and asked why I was watching this gator. I said I thought he was about to come up with something and right after I said that he did. 🙂
  
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  - Jane Lurie on April 27, 2013 at 5:33 pm said:
    
    You are the prescient nature guy! Anticipation is the best setting 🙂
    
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lylekrahn on April 26, 2013 at 11:43 pm said:

Beautiful. A lunch too.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks. I’m making crab cakes this weekend. Coincidence? I don’t think so. 🙂
  
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Paula on April 27, 2013 at 3:16 am said:

I wonder how varied his diet is… 🙂 Spiffing shots, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:20 pm said:
  
  They have developed a taste for the blue crabs since the crabs will migrate over from the salt marsh into the marsh pond. The alligators do not live in the salt water (they will visit) so they are happy to get some treats.
  Thanks Paula!
  
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  - Paula on April 27, 2013 at 12:27 pm said:
    
    Would they get upset stomach if I throw them a bar of chocolate?
    
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Maggie Davey on April 27, 2013 at 5:31 am said:

Until I began to follow you, Phil, I had never realised that alligators had different expressions! The alert expression in the first and the smile in the last are just great! One happy alligator!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:21 pm said:
  
  They do have some unique expressions for sure. I watched one walk across a roadway last night and his expression was absolute casualness. Not a care in the world.
  Thanks for looking Maggie!
  
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Katariina Partala on April 27, 2013 at 6:05 am said:

Great shots & and a nice catch for him! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks, he looked happy with his crab snack!
  
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adinparadise on April 27, 2013 at 6:08 am said:

Fantastic captures again, Phil. I love crab, but not in the raw. 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Sylvia! I’m making crab cakes this weekend. Coincidence? I don’t think so. 🙂
  
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Chillbrook on April 27, 2013 at 6:13 am said:

Excellent series Phil. I always like to see the ‘gators. Nice to see he’s eating his greens too.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2013 at 12:23 pm said:
  
  Well even the gators know a well balanced meal is very important, especially with mating season approaching! 🙂
  Thanks Adrian.
  
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Jon Rista on April 27, 2013 at 6:29 pm said:

Awesome shot! I love just watching the animal life around me…you never know what kind of activity might occur. I was a little surprised last December when a deer and a fairly large coyote crossed paths, quite close to each other…almost like friends. You just never know what you might see if you just sit and watch.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 28, 2013 at 4:07 pm said:
  
  Glad you liked these. I really enjoy being out in nature. Even if I don’t always come back with photos, there is usually something cool to see.
  
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roughseasinthemed on April 28, 2013 at 4:43 am said:

Like some of your other commenters, I noticed the greens too – but does he actually eat those or did he spit them out?

You would think the crabs would have more sense than to wander over into his territory!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 28, 2013 at 4:09 pm said:
  
  Well they would mostly spit out the marsh weeds as they are certainly not vegetarians by any means. But if some gets swallowed well so be it. They are also not extremely discriminating either.
  Those poor crabs that lurk under a mat of pond grass thinking they are safe are in reality so screwed once the alligators start getting really hungry.
  
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Fergiemoto on April 29, 2013 at 11:37 am said:

What a nice dinner! But I prefer to eat it without the shells – way too crunchy for my teeth.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 30, 2013 at 10:51 am said:
  
  I would prefer to leave out the shells myself, but the alligators like them extra crunchy.
  
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mariayarri on April 29, 2013 at 1:51 pm said:

Great shots … But i wonder , how many crabbs are needed for a Gator to be full and satisfied ? .. // Maria

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- Phil Lanoue on April 30, 2013 at 10:53 am said:
  
  I think the alligators would almost always keep eating as long as there was any type of food available. Wild animals never know for sure where and when their next meal will come so best to always try to get full. One crab will not be enough. They keep working.
  
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