Introducing The Lovely Mrs. A
This is from last month over at the swamp when I was surprised to see two baby alligators out at that time of year. We normally would see alligator babies in mid to late summer, not in mid October.
I first spotted the babies swimming around in the muck and duck weed by themselves and was concerned over where mom might be. Within minutes I saw an alligator crawl up out of the swamp nearby where I was standing. The gator kind of hesitated for a moment and settled down where it began to really give me the eye. Soon it turned around, went back down into the swamp and glided over near where I had seen the two babies.
I quickly realized that I had just met mom, and she did not look tremendously thrilled to see me. She swam over to the general location of the babies and I hoped they would swim over to her and possibly even crawl up onto her head. But soon after they saw mom gliding over, both babies quickly swam back into the reeds and disappeared. I suspect she sent them off to keep them safe because right after that she turned and decided to deal with me.
Mom started patrolling the area right in front of where I was standing and I had the distinct impression that she wanted me to leave. When she suddenly lifted up her head, made a loud grunting sound and bashed it back down into the water with a big splash I got the message. I left Mrs. A and her children alone which I’m sure was the wise choice for all involved, but it was quite interesting and exciting to see her protective behavior in action.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Uhh mamma ha lo sguardo molto attento a cattivo, deve difendere i suoi cuccioli, che sono tanto carini!!
Bellissime foto Phil!!
Ciao, Pat
Sì mamma difenderà i suoi bambini e penso che è meglio lasciarli soli. grazie Pat 😀
Your interpretation of events sounds spot on. Great photos!
It was not a tough choice for me to get the hint and move on. Alligators here are not normally at all aggressive but you should never take a chance on a mom with her babies.
Thanks for looking!
Very intrepid of you 🙂 I think I would have left quite a bit earlier than you did! Great shots Phil! 🙂
I possibly pushed it a bit farther then I should have but I kept hoping the babies would come running (or swimming) home to mama, those are the shots I wanted. But I took her subtle hint and left the scene.
Thanks very much Adrian!
Once again, I’m thinking “cute alligators!” Great photos and story. And great idea to hit the road home to Jack when Mama started grunting…
Well the babies are super cute! And…mom is attractive in her own way. I’m sure he has all the boys attention out in the swamp. Yeah that whole thing she did bashing the water and making a sound I can’t even really describe got me thinking it was a good time to head home for the day.
Thank God you weren’t drinking Skinny Pirates, beer or bourbon and could take her warning with seriousness! 🙂
Like alcohol has ever been known to cloud my judgement. Ok, well maybe there was that one time….
Speechless here. Or perhaps intrepid covers it. (But the babies sure are cute!)
Oh those babies are plenty cute alright. That’s what I tried telling mom, hoping it would improve her mood.
She is quite lovely. Wonderful captures.
Yup, she’s a real looker! Thanks Edith.
What a proud mommy she is! You got some really great shots of those darling little babies, Phil. 🙂 Glad you and your camera are still in one piece. 😯
I’ve just started a new blog. You can find me here: http://anotherday2paradise.wordpress.com/
She did seem quite proud, and who am I too argue?! In fact it’s my policy to never argue with alligators. 🙂
I’ll be checking out the new blog shortly. 🙂
Ha! She wouldn’t have had to tell me twice either! 🙂
I may have overstayed my welcome by just a bit, but I know how to take a hint. 🙂
She did give you the evil eye. You were wise to leave her be.
She was giving me quite a look, and she did not seem to be in a mood to listen to blabber on about her children.
Holy Moses, as they say. When she started parting the water, I would have been long gone myself. Actually, I would have been gone sooner than that, but I don’t have enough experience to judge behavior as you can. I’ll say this – that duckweed is very attractive. I wonder if it’s good for the complexion?
That duckweed seems to have done wonders for our lovely ladies complexion don’t you think?!
I may have stayed nearby juuuust a bit too long but I know how to take a hint.
Those cute babies must have got their looks from their father! Great photos and story.
Ohhhh… you can’t hurt mom’s feelings by disparaging her looks, she is very sensitive about such things.
Glad you enjoyed the photos and story, it was interesting out there that day. And I was alone. Well, me and mom.
Always awesome shots from you Phil! One of these days I would love to come see this for my self. Oh for retirement. :):)
Erv
Thanks very much Erv, I’m very happy you enjoyed these photos and I really appreciate you looking and commenting!
So the “round nosed” one is a mamma. Hmmm She is the one I was telling you about. The one I have been watching by the causeway.
No it has nothing to do with her nose and I doubt this alligator was ever near the causeway. She wouldn’t leave her babies and go that far off.
Thanks for checking these out! 🙂
Great protective instinct. They can’t go far wrong with a mum like that taking care of them!
She is protective, but the only thing that concerns me regarding the babies is that they are so late. I wonder if they will have enough time to pack on a little size and weight that they will need to get through the colder months when they stop eating.
She gave you the stern look. 😉
Yeah I quickly got the message after seeing the “I mean business” look. 🙂
These are just the sweetest photographs. I love mom! I hope the little guys/girls make it through the winter. I bet mom was a bit on edge with possible danger (people) so close!
I really hope the youngsters can make it through the winter as well. Sadly there just doesn’t seem to be enough time for them to bulk up but I’m sure nature knows a lot better then me so they should be OK.
I loved mom too, she had a real regal look of confidence with just a dash of intimidation. She’s got it goin’ on!
Love the drape of algae on her snout!
When I look at them all covered on swamp gunk it seems to me like that would be uncomfortable, but that is their environment so they are happy with it I’m sure.
She actually looked happy (as only an Alligator can) and the green was so vibrant!
She looks good in anything. Including Swamp Green. 😀
Wonderful shots and very cute baby alligator.
Thank you Jan and yes the babies are cute aren’t they?!
😀 I love the way you write Phil 🙂 The most aesthetic shot is the second one, but I enjoyed seeing the whole series 🙂 Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks a million for your very kind words Paula I appreciate that very much!
Glad you liked that second shot of mom. I took some video of her getting up and walking around right after that but never posted it anywhere yet.
Love the pictures Phil! I can’t imagine the hours you put in to get these shots. I have learned so much about the wildlife in our park by checking your site. I tell all our guests that come to HBSP gift shop to check out your site as well.
Well I greatly appreciate your very kind words and your support Beverly!