Sometimes It’s Best Not To Complain Too Much
Yesterday afternoon this egret was fishing in the marsh pond, but he wasn’t alone. One of our resident alligators was also looking for fish in the same area, which annoyed the egret tremendously. The bird decided to loudly let the alligator know how he felt about the intrusion and the alligator responded by lifting up his head and letting the egret know who was really in charge around here.
But to make matters even worse for the egret, the gator called over a few of his friends just in case any further discussion was required. At one point there were five alligators surrounding the bird but I couldn’t fit them all in the picture.
However…if you think this intimidated the egret into leaving you would be incorrect. This bird quite possibly might have more nerve then sense because he never left the area, he just kept right on fishing. Surprisingly, this tactic ended up being ultimately successful as the alligators eventually moved away and left him alone to continue fishing.
This scene was 100% back lit so I elected to go with a semi silhouette look on the exposures, not much else I could do.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Amazing shots. Looks very much like a “street” fight, doesn’t it?
Yeah it sure does! Lucky for the bird those alligators elected to not gang up on him, it could have gotten ugly.
Thanks for checking out these photos.
Wow, I hope the egret got out ok, imagine how he felt being surrounded by so many alligators???? Alot of alligators around that marsh, in Florida theres a place called Alligator Alley, but never once did i ever see one, its just a strip of road that goes from the east coast to the west coast, its seems that marsh should be called called that too…so many of them…wow. great shots though…i dont want to ask what happened to the bird?
Right now we have alligators all over the place, and they are all hungry. Lucky for the birds at least for now, the gators seem to mostly just be interested in fish.
Glad you liked these pics!
WOW! That’s one tough bird.
He found a spot that he liked and those big dopey alligators can just go find their own spot somewhere else.
Gutsy bird indeed.
Mighty impressive. I think Ted might react in the same way but with a far different outcome…
Back-lit was a boon for this series. Wonderful stuff, dust-up at the swamp.
Hey thanks much Victor! I appreciate you looking and glad you liked my back lit egret/gator pics!
Amazing what a little attitude will do though I wonder if that works well for him in the long run. You certainly handled the back light well.
I suspect that attitude will only get him so far and I’m not sure if (or how) the birds know that for right now at least, the alligators are concentrating of fish and not a bird meal. Although, if a gator wanted one of these birds it would likely go into stealth mode and approach slowly and silently under water rather then float right out in the open like these guys are doing.
Yeah the back light… I had a choice of just walking away or trying to make the best of it. I knew it wouldn’t be great but hoped it got the idea across.
That’s hilarious!!! Love the story. So, I suppose who’s really the boss here? Being resolute and fearless is the key. Flappe ye’re wings dere laddy!
It is pretty funny! Especially since that egret was just so annoyed at the alligators rather then terrified by them. Wacky bird. 🙂
Brave this egret !!!! Amazing that at the end, the bird win !!!!!
In back light it is good as well, it gives an great ambiance, and we do as we can with animals 😉
Have a nice day Phil
He is a brave bird and stood his ground too. Good for him though the alligators just wanted fish and no birds tonight.
Thank you for looking Sophie!
Brave or foolhardy – maybe both! I love this silhouette photography, the effect is quite stunning, Phil!
I’m happy you enjoyed these Maggie and I think we have a little of both with this bird. He is brave and angry at the alligators too. Maybe not a good combination for an egret.
That Egret must have nerves of steel. Mr A’s attempt to intimidate him by calling in the cavalry, were fruitless, or should I say “fishless?” Great shots, Phil. Thanks for the smiles. 🙂
It happened just like this too, it was kind of hysterical. I could not believe how aggravated and annoyed the egret was at that first alligator and then when he called more friends over that just ticked off the egret even more!
There were five around the egret at one point and he still wouldn’t give up his fishing hot spot!
Good for him. 🙂
Poverina la garzetta, da sola contro cinque alligatori, non è giusto….
Splendide le foto caro Phil 🙂
Ciao, Pat
Forse la garzetta avrebbe chiamato sopra i suoi amici a dare una mano. Mi chiedo se avrebbe funzionato? 🙂
Wow, I am so glad Egret didn’t become a candidate for a Darwin Award! Very cheeky fellow.
I was surprised how determined that egret was not to lose his spot to those pesky gators! It worked out OK for the egret this time but maybe it was because the gators only wanted fish…for now.
A little poolside drama with a happy ending. Sometimes we are too proud to admit our own weaknesses and it works out. Nice story in images, Phil.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story and images Steve. It was pretty funny how that egret would not leave his spot and got even more annoyed when at one point he was surrounded by five alligators. I think the alligators were even a bit surprised, they had funny looks on their faces. Well it’s hard to tell but you get the idea. 🙂
Have to agree with Sylvia… nerves of steel, though just a touch on the foolhardy side especially when the A’s were circling.
Even when at one point the egret was surrounded by five alligators he would not give up his spot. He found it, he wanted it. It worked out OK this time, but who knows next time?!
Love this sequence – great photographs
Hey thanks! I’m very glad you enjoyed these photos!