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.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Once again magnificent photos and nice to read that alligators like something for dinner sometimes 😉
LG Mathilda 😉
Thank you so much I am glad you like these photos!
Quite fancy a dip myself albeit not with him!
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.
Oh dear Phil, as if,…as if he is here 🙂 amazing shots. Thank you, love, nia
Thank you for looking at these Nia and I’m happy you like them!
Hello Phil,
stunning shots!
Let’s try a big splash too and look forward what we catch! 😉
Wish you a nice day,
moni
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!
Your gator friends are no dummies :D. Marvelous splash, Phil 🙂
Glad you like the splash Paula! He knew what he was doing for sure!
2nd or maybe 3rd are my favourites :D.
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! 🙂
Fabulous shots!!!
Thanks I am glad you like them!
Stunning nature photography.
I appreciate your very kind words Jan.
Wonderful Phil, I love it to much
I am very happy you enjoyed these!
That’s as close as you’d want to get! Brilliant shots, Phil!
I was close but he never paid any attention to me until the very end…
Thanks Maggie!
Great captures. he looks like he’s having fun 🙂
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. 🙂
Really amazing photos. But those gators just give me the willies!
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. 😀
Wow, that looks quite scary to witness, Phil. Amazing shots, reflections and all. 🙂
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!
I imagine you to be cool, calm and collected most of the time, Phil, otherwise you wouldn’t get such great photos. 🙂
I am most of the time, unless a spider gets on me then I run around flapping my arms and screeching like a schoolgirl. 🙂
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!
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. 🙂
Your pictures are making me a softie for gators!
Well sure, they are just so darn cute.
Awesome serie of photos. This is great photowork!
I appreciate the kind words Hans, thanks!
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
I appreciate you checking these out Scott, thanks!
I like the straining waterfall as well.
That one is my favorite.
Smashing pictures Phil!
Thanks much Adrian, appreciate it!
Looks like filter feeding for alligators. Nice reflections, too, Phil.
Yes Andrew looks like he is feeding baleen whale style! He has probably been watching those nature shows again. 🙂
Terrific light exposes an exciting series of gator behavior. Quite impressive.
Hey glad you liked these Larry, thanks very much!
I like the water cascading from between its teeth…looks like that would feel good. He’s having fun splashing around!!
He seemed to be having a pretty good time! Much better then the birds who left the area in disgust. 🙂
Not keen on his table manners
I was going to make a suggestion to him regarding that but figured it wouldn’t end up doing me a bit of good.
Ooooh, I love these !
I’m so glad you like these!
I love this ! Canon Ball!
The big guys make the biggest splashes!! 😀