Splashing Around

Yesterday evening we were watching this alligator sloshing around in the salt marsh in search of dinner. The alligators don’t live in the salt marsh, they prefer fresher water, but they will visit at times when they get a craving for something a little different then what they might normally find in the pond area.

This alligator was gliding along slowly when he must have spotted something, possibly a crab, and he suddenly lunged up from the marsh straining water and plunging over to his right with a huge splash. I never did see what he got or even if he got anything, but that is also part of their feeding process. Making a big splash like that can often get fish or crabs all stirred up and in a panic which can make them easier to catch.

52 thoughts on “Splashing Around”

einfachtilda on May 13, 2013 at 11:33 am said:

Once again magnificent photos and nice to read that alligators like something for dinner sometimes 😉

LG Mathilda 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:14 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much I am glad you like these photos!
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on May 13, 2013 at 11:38 am said:

Quite fancy a dip myself albeit not with him!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:15 pm said:
  
  There were a few birds in the immediate area but the way this guy was jumping around they quickly left the scene. I took that as a sign I should stay out of the water as well.
  
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niasunset on May 13, 2013 at 11:51 am said:

Oh dear Phil, as if,…as if he is here 🙂 amazing shots. Thank you, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:15 pm said:
  
  Thank you for looking at these Nia and I’m happy you like them!
  
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monisertel on May 13, 2013 at 11:53 am said:

Hello Phil,
stunning shots!
Let’s try a big splash too and look forward what we catch! 😉
Wish you a nice day,
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:16 pm said:
  
  I could have made a big splash with this guy but that might not have turned out so well for me. 😯
  Thanks for looking and commenting moni!
  
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Paula on May 13, 2013 at 12:00 pm said:

Your gator friends are no dummies :D. Marvelous splash, Phil 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:16 pm said:
  
  Glad you like the splash Paula! He knew what he was doing for sure!
  
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Paula on May 13, 2013 at 12:01 pm said:

2nd or maybe 3rd are my favourites :D.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:18 pm said:
  
  I got many shots from last night’s dining experience but that third one got me to post this series, so I guess it’s my fave! 🙂
  
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Rexlin Victor on May 13, 2013 at 12:16 pm said:

Fabulous shots!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks I am glad you like them!
  
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janmasyn on May 13, 2013 at 12:42 pm said:

Stunning nature photography.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:18 pm said:
  
  I appreciate your very kind words Jan.
  
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PhotosAbitibi on May 13, 2013 at 12:46 pm said:

Wonderful Phil, I love it to much

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:19 pm said:
  
  I am very happy you enjoyed these!
  
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Maggie Davey on May 13, 2013 at 12:51 pm said:

That’s as close as you’d want to get! Brilliant shots, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:19 pm said:
  
  I was close but he never paid any attention to me until the very end…
  Thanks Maggie!
  
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edithlevyphotography on May 13, 2013 at 1:20 pm said:

Great captures. he looks like he’s having fun 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks and I think he was having a pretty good time. He took breaks too, there were a few times he went under the water and I would not see him for maybe 10 minutes until he popped back up again. 🙂
  
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Deb W. Trotter on May 13, 2013 at 2:08 pm said:

Really amazing photos. But those gators just give me the willies!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:21 pm said:
  
  I’m happy you like the photos but you should come here and visit the gators, they would love to have, uh I mean see you. 😀
  
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adinparadise on May 13, 2013 at 2:42 pm said:

Wow, that looks quite scary to witness, Phil. Amazing shots, reflections and all. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:23 pm said:
  
  Well I was quite calm, and the gator was, well, being a gator, but the birds did not care for him at all and they promptly left the area when he started all his jumping about. That is actually somewhat unusual as the birds often hang around hopes of getting some fish the gators miss. But not this time. 😯
  Glad you liked the pics Sylvia!
  
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  - adinparadise on May 13, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:
    
    I imagine you to be cool, calm and collected most of the time, Phil, otherwise you wouldn’t get such great photos. 🙂
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:26 pm said:
      
      I am most of the time, unless a spider gets on me then I run around flapping my arms and screeching like a schoolgirl. 🙂
      
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Cowboys and Crossbones on May 13, 2013 at 2:42 pm said:

I can’t imagine what it must look like to have an alligator sleuthing in the water, looking to make you dinner. I wonder what would happen if you splashed the gator back in the face…? Great shots, as always!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 13, 2013 at 3:25 pm said:
  
  I suppose I could have jumped in there and joined him to see if he was up for some splashing around and general horseplay as they say… but he seemed to be a bit on the grumpy side so I left him alone.
  Sometimes the gators are not as much fun as they look. 🙂
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on May 13, 2013 at 5:08 pm said:
    
    Your pictures are making me a softie for gators!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:27 pm said:
      
      Well sure, they are just so darn cute.
      
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HansHB on May 13, 2013 at 4:00 pm said:

Awesome serie of photos. This is great photowork!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:27 pm said:
  
  I appreciate the kind words Hans, thanks!
  
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Scott Marshall on May 13, 2013 at 5:08 pm said:

now this works on beyond a gaitor shot the texture in the ripples in the first and the teeth shaped waterfall – fabulous as always Phil

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- Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:27 pm said:
  
  I appreciate you checking these out Scott, thanks!
  
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lylekrahn on May 13, 2013 at 5:23 pm said:

I like the straining waterfall as well.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  That one is my favorite.
  
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Chillbrook on May 14, 2013 at 2:11 am said:

Smashing pictures Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Adrian, appreciate it!
  
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Andrew on May 14, 2013 at 3:18 am said:

Looks like filter feeding for alligators. Nice reflections, too, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:30 pm said:
  
  Yes Andrew looks like he is feeding baleen whale style! He has probably been watching those nature shows again. 🙂
  
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Larry Treadwell on May 14, 2013 at 6:42 am said:

Terrific light exposes an exciting series of gator behavior. Quite impressive.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:30 pm said:
  
  Hey glad you liked these Larry, thanks very much!
  
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Judy on May 14, 2013 at 11:07 am said:

I like the water cascading from between its teeth…looks like that would feel good. He’s having fun splashing around!!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:31 pm said:
  
  He seemed to be having a pretty good time! Much better then the birds who left the area in disgust. 🙂
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on May 15, 2013 at 1:26 pm said:

Not keen on his table manners

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- Phil Lanoue on May 15, 2013 at 6:20 pm said:
  
  I was going to make a suggestion to him regarding that but figured it wouldn’t end up doing me a bit of good.
  
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pviette on May 16, 2013 at 12:29 pm said:

Ooooh, I love these !

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- Phil Lanoue on May 16, 2013 at 4:48 pm said:
  
  I’m so glad you like these!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on May 22, 2013 at 6:08 pm said:

I love this ! Canon Ball!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 24, 2013 at 1:45 pm said:
  
  The big guys make the biggest splashes!! 😀
  
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