Ever Have The Feeling You Are Being Watched?
Yesterday evening some snowy egrets that were fishing in a shallow pool in the salt marsh had a bit of company. There was a young alligator also wishing to take advantage of some of the fish that may be trapped in the shallow water. I’m sure the snowys were aware of the gator, and the gator was watching the birds but…Mr. Gator was more interested in the fish and I saw him scoop up several. The little snowys kept their eyes open however, just in case the alligator got any ambitious ideas, but he remained well behaved. The only tense moments for the snowys were when the gator would submerge itself under water and then surface in a different location. What was somewhat amusing was when I saw a few snowys suddenly jump straight up into the air when the alligator came up near the bird. But the snowys never left the area, they just kept right on fishing!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Hello Phil,
amazing pictures, wonderful pic-story, love the winner ;-)!
Wish you a nice day,
moni
Thank you very much moni and I hope you enjoy your weekend!
Lovely images Phil. You are a great observer as well as photographer. The last image is particularly fine.
Cue up the “Jaws” theme!
I should start bringing music out there. If I could get photos of alligators dancing that would really be something. 🙂
Sure would! That’s something the “freshly pressed” editors couldn’t ignore!
I’m still waiting to get a photo of a bald eagle riding an alligator like a surfboard. 🙂 May have a long wait for that one though.
You know they do that all the time when you’re not around, right? 🙂
Beautiful shots Phil.
Thanks Jan, glad you like them.
I think the snowys must know something we don’t! Either that, or they just like living life on the edge!
Oh those snowys are wacky, they are a bunch of fun though, and there is never a dull moment when they are around.
Mr. Gator likes to liven things up as well. This alligator walked across the road later right in front of a car. The gators don’t care, they own the place. 🙂
You manage some of the most interesting shots, Phil! And I love your titles and humorous narratives too! The descriptions you give put the reader “right there”!
Well I greatly appreciate your very kind comments and I’m happy you enjoy the photos and stories!
That is a cool shot. I didn’t see the gator the first time through, then I read the story and got it! Gators are a little creepy.
Ooooo don’t call them creepy it hurts their feelings, they are very sensitive. 🙂
Love your marsh wildlife stories and photos. They are exotic to me, living as I do in California.
Well I’m very happy you enjoy the photos and stories Deb! Thanks
Good for snowys not to give up their territory 🙂
Those snowys can be goofy at times but they do like to hold on to their fishing spots.
Fabulous shots Phil! 🙂
Thanks Adrian, I appreciate you checking them out.
Egrets always look gorgeous through your lens, Phil.
The egrets look OK enough, but how about that snappy Mr. Gator?! 😀
I love the story of the egret and the gator…Thank you.
I’m very happy you enjoyed this story Charlie!
I don’t know about little Snowys they look huge on these photos! I’m also a fan of the last pic, love the texture of those soft delicate feathers.
The snowys are a lot smaller then some of the other waders like great blue herons, great egrets, and wood storks. But their sure make up for their smaller size in feistiness.
Thanks so much for looking!
Very brave snowy ;-)!
Yes those snowys may be small, but they are courageous!
Love the last image. It’s like the egret is daring him to do something. If I saw that gator staring at me like that, I’d high tail it out of there.
Those snowys are goofy, they often don’t seem to care at all what else is happening around them. But get a bald eagle flying overhead and the whole group will scatter in every direction.
I’m sorry. That alligator is just too close for me! I wonder who’s faster – the alligator lunging or the bird taking off? Wonderful shots, in any event!
Well the bird is very fast on the takeoff. One flap of the wings and it could instantly be a good distance away. But…Mr. Gator can be fast too.
Glad you like the pics!
Nice photos. But I have to say it makes no sense to stay in the area. Bad things can happen and sometimes do apparently.
Well I won’t go as far as to say the birds and the alligators are working together…but I often see birds purposely arrive in a shallow pool like that when they see an alligator is working there. I think the gators get the fish all stirred up and make it easier for the birds to get them. And the gators know where the birds like to fish so…
Amazing! That is such a beautiful bird.
They are cute little guys and the alligators like them!
These photos are amazing … The big Gator and the fragile Snowy in the same area … It makes me think of the beauty and the beast … But then i got to remind myself that i don´t see i don´t see Mr Gator as a beast any more 😉 … // Maria
It is very interesting to me as well to see these such different animals working together in the same close area. I often try to focus on exactly those types of scenarios.
Thank you Maria.
Amazing as ever. I notice the egret’s feather (back of the neck and chest part) raised, does it mean it’s in a fighting mode?!? Or maybe just the wind I guess 😉
The snowys often fluff themselves up for a variety of reasons. It could be a fighting look or just trying to make themselves look bigger. But I sometimes see them acting like that with no idea why. 🙂
Oh my God! These are awesome. Looks very risky!!! Anyway great pictures and do take care before getting into any dangers 🙂 Cheers!!!