I Knew This Guy Was Up To Something…
Yesterday evening I observed this alligator behaving in a suspicious manner in the marsh pond. At first he just came floating in, but then started doing this odd zig- zag pattern while staring at the side of the pond near where I was standing. I suspected he was scoping out the situation and sure enough he was…
Within a very short amount of time he very slowly and stealthily climbed up the bank of the pond and stuck his nose out from the brush to take a peek around. Then he decided to take a little stroll over to the other side where he climbed down along the rocks. Occasionally they get this sneaky sort of look and you know they are up to something!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Great photos 🙂
Thanks vey much I really appreciate you checking tehm out!
Love those little legs and that toothy smile!
Yeah it is funny to see them walk around on those stubby legs and a toothy grin for sure!
I’m smiling along with him. He was checking it all out before he went!
He really was being cautious and checking out the whole area before departing his ‘safe’ area hidden in the brush and he’s a smiley boy!
Thanks for your feedback on the ‘right-click’ post, which led me back to your site. Wow, I loved every single image, the gators, the spoonbills (beyond gorgeous!) and the stories that go with them. Once in Louisiana I was fishing from the bank for catfish. As I reeled on in, an alligator emerged from the water hyacinths in pursuit of the flopping fish. I found high gear and dashed up the bank, as I did not want to lose my rod and reel, and I did not want to tangle with a gator either!
Of course, I loved this post!
Lisa/Z
Hey Lisa, thanks a million for stopping by here and I truly appreciate your very kind comments and also glad to hear you enjoyed the photos!
Amazing story about the fish and the alligator, and no you would not want to lose your gear or get into a disagreement with the gator. 🙂
you are so welcome, it was my pleasure to bask in the beauty of those amazing images. we have many species down here, but i’ve not seen the spoonbills. the ibis and storks have been flying over a lot lately as if giving a private show.
i’ll be back to see more when the connection’s faster,
lisa/z
Funny you should mention the wood storks and ibis, I went over to the salt marsh last night and we had woodies and ibis coming out of our ears, they were all over! 🙂
Thanks for checking out the photos!
Thanks for the alligator ‘fix’… I can’t believe I actually got to missing these guys. 😀
Well it’s good to know you are happy they are back in action once again. I went out last night hoping for spoonies but instead got gators which is OK with me. I was actually watching one other guy that was mostly only napping when this one floated in.
I’m always ready to supply a much needed gator fix. 🙂
Love it… He’s gone for a stroll. 🙂
He picked a nice evening for it too. After such a hot day we had a pleasant cool breeze out there last night. 🙂
A sweet story and again very beautiful photos! I am always amazed! ▲
I am so pleased to know you enjoyed seeing our alligator friends! 🙂
I love ’em! You seem to be pretty close to this one.
Yes Molly I was quite close. When he was resting his chin on the walkway he didn’t open his mouth part way like you see until he saw me. I hope he was smiling at me. 😀
Thanks very much for looking and commenting!
I’d love to know why he was headed that way in such a determined fashion!
I’d love to know why he was going that particular way in such a determined fashion!
I like that fourth one, the mouth slightly ajar is the finishing touch! So I’ve been thinking about suggestions for your blog. Since you started that spoonie alert, I’m thinking you should have a special font colour whenever there’s a gator photo. It only seems right. You’re welcome … wait you minute, you technically didn’t actually ask for advice …
Oh I’m always up for some advice and this suggestion is spot on! I definitely plan to come up with a personalized alligator color text. Some sort of green maybe…
Using your idea I just premiered the new ‘gator green’ text color!
I’d love to know why he was going that way in such a determined fashion!
How close were you to your alligator friend? I guess he didn’t mind… Do they move fast?
I was maybe 12 feet and yes they can run, I have seen them do it.
You just need to remember…you don’t have to be able to run faster then the alligator, you only have to be able to run faster then the person next to you. 😉 😀
Got it! 😀
Hmmmm….looks like a lot of tartar build up on those teeth in shot #4. Fantastic photos as always. You have become quite a student of gator behavior. Good tips if I ever happen to be near one. Thanks.
He could use a good teeth cleaning, maybe they should have a clinic once a month over there for them. Might have a problem getting some local dentists to volunteer for it though. 🙂
Glad you like the photos!
Another nice series, Phil. I think my favorite in any series will always be the high-steppin’ one. 🙂
Thanks much Steve, glad you like these and it is always fun to see one of these guys tip toeing around out there. 🙂
Gotta love the tooth grin and the prancing steps. Is he going to audition for Dancing with the Stars? I can only imagine what his outfit would look like.
You missed him on DWTS?!
Here’s a recap…
“Ok, next up we have former Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan with Bubba the Alligator.
Oh no! Bubba has grabbed Nancy by the leg and is dragging her off the stage! How awful!
Stay tuned folks we will be right back after this message from your local Ford Dealer.”
Probably preferable to piping her knee cap. 🙂
Oooo that’s a tough call. 😀
He looks like he has a sneaky, satisfied grin. Maybe he has a date!
I think he could have a date and he might be late for it, he looked quite purposeful when he walked by me. 🙂
Haha, he looks so jaunty in pic 5!
Oh he is plenty jaunty alright! 😀
Excellent series Phil. An alligator loitering with intent is probably not something to argue with.
He absolutely WAS loitering with intent! And…even though I didn’t see it, he was likely guilty of something. 😯
Thanks for checking these out Andrew!
He is smiling, he is smiling… amazing photographs. Thank you dear Phil, love, nia
He is smiling and seems to be in a very good mood! Thank you Nia!
Amazing shots Phil. 🙂 🙂
Hey thanks Jan so glad you liked these!
His grin makes me smile. Great shots!
I’m glad to hear his big toothy grin makes you smile. 😀
He certainly does look very sneaky, Phil. I just love the pic of him toddling along on his short little legs. Fantastic shots again. 🙂
Oh he is plenty sneaky alright Sylvia you are correct 100% about that. And those stubby legs are not built for a lot of walking around, they are much better suited for underwater stealth activity. 😯 😀
Great shots, Phil. He does have that “sneaky smile”, doesn’t he?
He sure doe shave a sneaky smile Gracie and as I said in the title, he was definitely up to something. 🙂
Great pics! The gator’s grin is scary though 😀
It might be a little scary, but that’s his job, he is supposed to be a little scary. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the pics!
I really enjoy this gators antics from the safety of my computer. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Yes, there is something to be said for the safety of the computer, but I’m betting you would enjoy seeing the big in person too! 🙂
I appreciate you checking out these photos.
You are right I would enjoy seeing them in person. I saw some once in a preserve in Louisiana many years ago. It took us quite a while to realize the “logs” were crocs.
It’s OK when they are in the water but when they start walking around is when you have to be careful. I almost stepped on one’s nose.
Aww, I want to stroke him, he is so gorgeous. (Note to self, do not even think of it).
Good plan. I know they are cute and cuddly but picking one up is not likely a good idea. 🙂
Pond scum becomes you, Mr. Gator!
He does look good in green doesn’t he Deb?! There is a lot duckweed out there and it gets on everybody. 🙂
He wasn’t eyeing you up Phil, as his next course?
No I’m too old. He would prefer someone, uh I mean something, a bit younger and more tender.