“This Looks Like A Good Spot To Dry Off”
Thursday afternoon I noticed this unlikely pair both taking advantage of the sun and the breeze. The anhinga needed to dry his wings, and the alligator just needed a nap. The alligator never paid any attention to the bird but the anhinga did keep his eyes open and stayed alert, you know, just in case…
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Great capture of the two of them
Thanks very much glad you like it!
Fantastic shot! Very well done! Seems like the alligator sneaks like a cat… 😉
Thanks much for checking this out!
In a case like this it almost seems like the alligator *sleeps* like a cat. 🙂
Nice to see the kids playing nicely Phil! 🙂
Yes it seems to be better for everyone when one of the residents is not eating another of the residents. 😀
Of course, the alligator may not see it that way.
Just in case … of course! (ツ)
Well of course, you have to keep your options available. 🙂
Great shot Phil.
Thanks for checking out it Jan.
Don’t you love the confidence of that anhinga!
The anhinga wanted to be in spot to dry off and alligator or not that’s where it was planning to stay!
“I’m just saying..move on inch and I’m out of here!”
The anhingas are a bit goofy at times, but they are not crazy. Mr. Gator gets any funny ides and the bird is gone!
No matter how many times you look at an alligator you come away being truly amazed…wonderful picture.
Thank you Charlie, I’m happy you are as intrigued as I am by the alligators! 🙂
That’s cutting it a bit close.
It’s funny too, the alligators look slow and the anhingas look slow, but both can move very quickly if they want or have to.
It’s interesting they look slow, cumbersome and prehistoric and yet – if they decide to move fast …. (the alligator I mean. Obviously). If he’s having a snooze why has he left his tail in the water? Or perhaps he is politely trying not to intimidate the anhinga?
I have seen alligators run so yes they can indeed move very quickly. 😯 They often snooze half in and half out of the water. I’m not sure they realize it or actually even care.
I’d make use of those wings, I think. 🙂 Nice moment in time, Phil. Are you anywhere near the horseshoe crab beaches?
That anhinga was ready to use his wings if needed. Even if the alligator had any ‘interest’, it loses the element of surprise by laying out in the open like that. Gators are better at being stealthy and approaching from under the water.
I’m just south of Myrtle Beach.
How close were you to the gator, Phil? Terrific take!
I was not too close but I don’t think (don’t think, ha) it would matter as the gator was more interested in his nap then dealing with me or the birds.
Thanks I’m glad you liked this shot Paula!
Super photo, Phil. I think I would have dried my wings a bit farther away. 🙂
Mr. Anhinga just better hope his wings are dry enough to get him a quick takoff! You know, just in case any type of emergency should arise. 🙂
😆
What a courageous bird. I guess he knew the gator was napping.
Yes he more then likely had a good sense about the alligator plus the gators don’t normally strike at a bird on land, they prefer to hunt in the water.
I’d be sleeping with one eye open if I was next to him!
Well the anhinga was definitely keeping his eyes on our big friend there. 🙂
Well, personally, I would keep a much larger distance between myself and a creature with such a large jaw and sharp teeth. I wouldn’t want to be lunch.
I have seen cormorants perch on a stump or rock with their wings outstretched like this. Now I know they are drying off their wings, rather than showing them off.
Yes the cormorants and anhingas despite being water birds are not waterproof and need to dry off the wings by holding them out after being done fishing.