Big Catch For Little Guy
For the past several days I noticed a young alligator lurking at the edge of the marsh pond in the same spot almost every time. It’s only about a four footer and I figured it was just trying to stay out of the way of the big guys. The wading birds paid almost no attention to the youngster as they went about their business trying to pluck fish from the pond. Yesterday evening the little guy was there once again in his usual location when I suddenly heard a splashing sound. I looked over and saw our young friend bust up out of the water with a really good size blue crab! The gator quickly crunched it’s catch and gulped it down. He seemed so satisfied and pleased with himself at the end. But he is doing the right thing because if he ever wants to grow up to be a big boy he has to be able to hunt for food like the big boys!
Without any question he is a natural talent! Thumbs up! ▲ 😛
He is well on his way to becoming the big boy of the marsh! 🙂
So he must be in salt water if he’s got a blue crab? We had one swimming around our channel once but it’s not often you hear of them in salt water. Great catch with that mouth wide open. He looks pleased with himself.
Well this was in the marsh pond so it’s technically brackish water but it’s next to the salt marsh so salt water species do get into the pond. I have seen alligators and GBHs pull flounder out of the pond. The gators will also occasionally walk over to the salt marsh to feed. They don’t live there but they will visit.
Mr. Gator has excellent taste. 🙂
The blue crab is quite pricey at my favorite seafood restaurant.
Oh he does have excellent taste for sure and you are right, those fresh blue crabs are not cheap at the restaurant. 😀
…and a bit of salad on the side. Little guy has great taste!
This time he ate his starter and his main course together at the same time. I guess he figures it all ends up in the same place so… 🙂
Fun sequence. Glimpses of things to come, when the little guy gets huge and even scarier. He’s scary now!
He keeps eating like that and he will get big. But of course that’s what they want. The bigger, scarier guys rule the marsh. 🙂
Yum, fresh crab, my favorite…Great photos.
Gotta love nice fresh caught crab! Glad you like the pics Charlie!
Your best alligator shots so far :D.
Thanks Paula, I appreciate your very kind comments.. 🙂
Crikey Phil, wondered what he’d got there for a second!
He had only been laying in the water at the edge of the pond being very still so I was more then a little surprised when he suddenly busted up out of there with this large crab!
Even the young ones are growing up. Nice catch.
Nice catch for the youngster who will need to keep it up if he wants to some day be able to play with the big boys.
I can’t believe all those special scenes you catch with your camera! Looks like a yummy meal.
I’m sure our alligator friend thought his meal was very yummy! 🙂
Thank you for looking at these photos!
Great shots! That was truly a mouthful.
Thanks and I’m sure the little guy was happy!
That was one heck of a mouthful but I should think those teeth would make pretty short work of that thick shell!
Yes Maggie I could hear the crunch, poor crabby never stood a chance.
Good for him. The only way to grow big and strong is through the stomach, that and avoiding those much bigger. You really got the action too. Love your work. Phil, do you use a 600mm or larger?
Yes if he wants to grow up to be a big guy he has to know how to capture food and avoid bigger ‘problems’. 🙂
I use a 300 often with a 1.4 attached.
Thanks Phil. I may look into the 1.4. I have a 400mm but it is hard to use without a tripod, but I imagine the 1.4 has the same issue.
I actually tend to handhold probably 90% of my shots including all BIF (birds in flight) and most other action. I have a tripod but I use it mostly as a place to keep the camera when I’m not using it. But it does come in handy for slow shutter speed stuff and wildlife that is not really moving around much.
Are you shooting Canon? If you have the 400 2.8 the 1.4 would work nicely, not too good on the 400 5.6 though.
Wonderful new additions!
Hope both you and Alyce are doing fine!
Shall be a regular visitor again after exam season!
Great seeing you Ammi! I appreciate your visit very much and say hi to mum! Alyce and I are doing fine here!
Wow! Incredible photos! Thanks for stopping by Polloplayer.
Thank you very much for your kind comments!
Love the photos Phil. Shellfish every night for the growing gator.
Glad you liked these Andrew and I’m sure our boy here would be happy with fresh crab every night!
Wonderful captures Phil, great job.
So glad you liked these Jan!
Doesn’t he know it is rude to eat with his mouth open 🙂 Great photos as usual 🙂
Well they are not especially known for their impeccable manners, which I tend to mostly just overlook. 😉
Glad you enjoyed these pics!
Nice series. Looks like he got a bit of a salad as well. Seems he is learning about a balanced diet. Hopefully camera stays off the menu.
Thanks for checking these out Larry and yes a balanced diet is very important. Keeping cameras and my ankle off the menu is important too. 🙂
He certainly has a good appetite. 🙂 Fantastic photos again, Phil.
Well sure, he is a growing boy after all. 😀
Thanks Sylvia
Hello Phil,
great captured, great series!
Amazing photos again, Phil.
Wish you a nice day,
moni
I’m happy you like these moni, thanks!
Fabulous series Phil. Looks like little guy is going to grow big and strong!
He is well on his way if he keeps eating like this!
Oh, wow! A crunchy crab salad…now you see it…now you don’t!
Great shots, Phil!
Diner gets prepared quick, and eaten even quicker out there in the marsh! 🙂
WOW!
Thank you Nia!
Yum… crab! 😉
Well you gotta love fresh crab!
That is one seriously big crab. He certainly can hang with the big boys.
He keeps this up and in no time he will be one of the big boys! 🙂