“What Is That Thing?!?”
This afternoon I was watching an alligator hunting in a small pool of water formed by low tide in the salt marsh. At one point an egret showed up and it seemed to be trying to figure out exactly what this big thing was lying there in the water. I was a bit surprised by the egret’s behavior as I expect it has seen gators many times but it’s possible this one is a new arrival to the marsh and has no prior alligator experience.
About two hours later a couple of spoonbills also arrived at the salt marsh. This one young spoonbill was particularly fascinated with the alligator, it kept walking along next to the gator, and was checking it out from different angles. I’m willing to bet this spoonie never has seen an alligator before and really was trying to determine what the heck it was.
In any case the alligator ignored both birds and just went about it’s business hunting for a lunch of fish and crabs.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
I could just see the confusion in those birds postures. Like you said: “What the heck is that”?
They really did look confused which is unusual, most of the birds in the area know about alligators.
Huch 😀 Tolles Foto!!
Thank you for looking and glad you like them!
Have you ever witnessed an alligator attacking a bird?
It has happened, it’s rare, but you never know… 😯
the spoonie does have the “never has seen an alligator before” expression 🙂 Great capture!
Yes I thought so too, the spoonie especially looked quite bewildered. Thanks so much Amy!
Quite ballsy. Do the gators usually just ignore them? They look like they could be quite the tasty quick snack!
When an alligator is fishing like this in the shallow water they generally ignore the birds which are actually drawn to the area by the actions of the gators. When the birds have to be careful is when the alligator is under water in stealth mode.
If you think that is ballsy check out “Spoonbill with alligator tail” under categories.
in the first photo, the gator doesn’t look much different from the ridges of mud the bird is standing in. Good camouflage act by the gator!
Yes our gator friend could be trying out his… ‘I’m just a pile of mud act, nothing to worry about here.’ 🙂
It’s amazing how close those birds get. Great catch!
The birds are actually attracted to the area by the actions of the gator getting the fish all stirred up for easy pickings.
Wow Great capture !
Thanks very much for looking and commenting!
I think a peck or two would shed some light on the mystery.
It’s funny because I never really see the birds try to peck at the alligator I an attempt to figure out what it is. Smart birds.
That would be a sight :D. Amazing takes again!
I love those looks of confusion from the birds! Great shots, Phil!
They really did bot look rather bewildered. Thanks for looking!
A lot happens in your marsh. Someday I’d like to visit a salt marsh in your neck of the woods. So very interesting all the activity, never a dull moment.
It was a very busy day out there yesterday, I got a months worth of photos in one afternoon. 🙂
I suppose once they get a view of the incisors then the confusion starts to lift.
A couple of times the alligator would very suddenly and very quickly and without warning lunge out of the water and the bird would jump straight up and back. The gator was just going for fish but it did really startle the birds. Of course the bird would stay anyway rather then leave.
Here’s hoping it’s not the last thing they discover… 😦
I have never seen an alligator purposely attack a bird in this situation but I suppose there is always a first time. 😯
Such fabulous shots!
I’m very happy you enjoyed them!
These shots are so funny, Phil. That’s a very long alligator that they’re perusing. 🙂
I thought they were rather comical as well Sylvia. Sometimes these young alligators are all tail at that age. 😀
One good thing that the alligator rather like fish than birds! 😛
It is very good for the birds that Mr. Alligator only wants fish for lunch. 🙂
I love the totally disinterested look on the alligator’s face! Are the birds my any chance waiting to see if it disturbs any fish for them to catch?
Oh yeah, the alligator could not care less that the birds were there, it was like they were invisible. But you are correct, the birds are attracted to an active alligator in a situation like this because the birds know the gator will get the fish all stirred up making them easy pickings.
Sempre bellissime le tue foto.
Ciao Pat
Sono così felice che ti piace le foto 🙂