Swamp Babies
By late morning yesterday it started to get fairly warm so I went over to the swamp hoping some alligators might be out doing their usual alligator thing. I had in mind the two babies that I saw last month but didn’t really expect to see them. I was a bit surprised to see one propped up on some reeds and other swamp vegetation, but was even more surprised to see another little head pop up under a leaf which it proceeded to wear like a tiny hat.
Next a third baby suddenly appeared and he went over to join the first one, but they were not done yet. Number four comes slowly creeping around and they start to form a nice little group in that one spot until our little hat wearer joins yet a fifth baby… then they all decide to clump together in one general area. Notice how the leaf remains undisturbed on the little guy’s head throughout the entire process.
I had a tough time trying to shoot this through the weeds and brush at the edge of the swamp, plus there seemed to be almost always something blocking a little face from being clearly viewed.
But in spite of all that, can you spot all five baby heads in the last photo?
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Terrific pictures.
I’m glad you enjoyed these.
amazing. love your captures 🙂
Thank you for looking and I’m happy you liked the babies!
Funny little creatures! Great pictures, Phil!
We think they are just soooo cute Maggie. 🙂
Thanks for checking these out.
Just going down to the swamp to see some Alligators…..so foreign to my hubby and I!! Usually it’s just going down to the lake to catch me a walleye or pike!!! Great pics!!!
I never thought of it like that but you are right, sometimes I do indeed leave the house saying I’m going to go check out some alligators. 🙂
Altogether cute! Especially the one with the hat! Where was mom?
He did look quite cute in that hat didn’t he?!? I saw mom at the very beginning, then she meandered her way back deeper into the reeds. Not sure what she was up to.
Wow they are much bigger! Love the head adornment !
They have got bigger and I had no idea there were actually six out there in total! It is a pretty nice hat. 🙂
That one is making quite a fashion statement.
I understand that leaf hats are all the rage in Paris these days.
No wonder you like these little guys so much. What a fun discovery. The only photo missing was of you skulking around trying to get a clear view of them.
I think my wife has some ‘action’ photos of me doing that. 🙂 I had a very tough time trying to get a few clear shots of faces. Stupid reeds and branches kept jumping out in front of me.
These little guys are fun, mom…I’m not so sure.
Wonderful shots, cute little guys.
Thank you Jan and yes they are cute!
Scary but cute little creatures! Great shots, I’m sure that wasn’t easy 🙂
Oh it was a huge pain to try to get clear shots, there was always some reeds or branches jumping out in front of me.
I wanted to scoop up a few of these guys and take ’em home. 😀
Che carini, sembra che stiano giocando a camuffarsi con le foglie.
Splendide foto Phil, complimenti!!
Ciao, Pat
Penso che giocavano con me. Sono troppo carino per il loro bene.
Excellent shots!!!
Thanks for checking them out!
Nice Phil! Now how still do you have to be to take these? Can you move around some to get the shot?
Thanks much Erv!
Oh I was moving all around, they mostly just ignored me which is how I like it. I was also hoping mom (who was somewhere) would ignore me.
Erm, this may sound strange, but I would love to be able to pick one of those little guys or girls up! Love that “hat”. These are really nice photos. Hope the little ones make it! You guys are so lucky to get to see them in person. They are very, very cute!
Oh that doesn’t sound at all strange, I always want to scoop up a few and take the little guys home. 😀
We had record cold temps hit here Sunday and Monday so I hope they did OK, I’ll try to go look for them in a day or two.
Glad you like the photos of the little tykes!
They are simply adorable! Wonderful shots as usual, Phil. We’ll have to check with the Nature Center to find out what their chances are of making through the winter. We’re rooting for the little ones!
I’m rooting for the little guys to. I got a bit worried over the cold we had on Sun. and Mon. I’ll go check on them late rin the week.
They sure are cute though. 🙂
Bunch of cuties, Phil. I wonder if the one with the leaf across his eyes thinks you can’t see him if he can’t see you.
I bet he does think that. He probably figures he is safe and cant’ be seen with something over a part of his head. They are funny.
Yes, I can 🙂 What a sight! 😀
I’m glad you saw all the group Paula, but…there actually were six out there! However I could only get five in one pic, the other little guy wouldn’t come over to join the group.
You took an amazing capture with “just” 5 of them 😀
Thanks Paula, I wish they would have cooperated more and come out into the clear but perhaps mom previously gave them some warnings about wandering off. 🙂
🙂
I think I will use the word “cute” here! I especially like the one with the leaf over the eye… Mr. Incognito! I love the bubbly, green, glop they seem to emerge from! Excellent and intriguing photos, Phil! You’ve done it again!
Oh I’m going with cute for sure! The little guy with the leaf hat was hysterical!
Thanks and I’m happy you enjoyed these!
I can’t see them all, but it certainly looks like a party! Must have been lots of fun for you to watch and photograph.
It was a happening event for sure Deb! Lots of fun to see these little guys!
Cute when they are tiny. I wonder how many make it to adulthood? They look like a tasty snake for a variety of creatures.
I suspect all six will not make it. Other larger alligators would have to be considered a top predator of youngsters like this.
They are cute though. 🙂
I’m just thinking of that wonderful sound these little guys make. Super shots Phil.
They do make some funny little almost chirping sounds but this crowd stayed mostly silent while I was there. Mom was somewhere too but not sure where. 😯
WOW!! Great shots Phil!! But, all of your photos are amazing. Mere words aren’t adequate. Yep, I picked out all 5 in the last pic!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful passion with us all!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Alyce!! Heading to PA for a week, when we get back, we need to get together!!
Thanks much for checking these out Connie and I appreciate your very kind words!
Your work and patience really paid off. Great narrative too.
Thanks so much I truly appreciate that.
Holy cuteness! Love these shots AND I found all five in the last pic.
Oh there’s cuteness all right! Ask Ted if he wants a playmate, I’ll scoop one out and send it over to you.
Ted declined. Typical.
Actually a funny pictures with red leaves… Amazing photographs… Thank you dear Phil, love, nia
He is funny with his little leaf hat isn’t he?! 😀 Thank you Nia!
Cute little things! What a treat to see these.
They really are super cute and it was a treat to see that many. I originally thought there were only two.
Ah…..so adorable when they’re still babies. 🙂 Clever you to get all five in one pic. I’m suitably impressed. 🙂
Thanks a million Sylvia, so glad you liked our cute baby brood! I had to really struggle just to get these shots too, they didn’t seem to want to cooperate as much as I would prefer. Some nerve right?! 🙂