The Intimidator

Earlier this afternoon I noticed this good size alligator heading in from the middle of the marsh pond on a full steam. There is a small area in the near corner of the pond that we call ‘baby cove’ because several of the little alligators (those 4 feet and under) live there. One main reason why the babies stay in that kind of out of the way location is to, hopefully, remain off the radar screen of the big guys.

So when I glanced over at the baby cove section, I saw one of the little gators and knew he was the likely target of the heavy battleship moving in. It certainly didn’t take any lengthy discussion to get this smaller alligator to quickly leave the vicinity. But that apparently was not enough for the head gator in charge, because he suddenly lifted the front part of his body up out of the water and opened his mouth as wide as it would go in a display of dominance.

In the fifth picture you can see what brought this on because in the background is a second baby that needed a lesson in who the boss is around these parts.

The big guy then turned around and after a brief stand off, complete with a menacing glare, young alligator #2 also was easily persuaded to leave the area.

After completing that task, the big boy headed back out toward the middle of the marsh presumably to continue spreading more cheer.

24 thoughts on “The Intimidator”

Unconfirmed Bachelorette on April 26, 2015 at 4:40 pm said:

I, too, am intimidated. Wow!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 9:54 am said:
  
  I would leave if he glared at me like that too! 😮
  
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Raewyn's Photos on April 26, 2015 at 4:54 pm said:

Great shots. I am certainly intimidated by the big guy too.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 9:55 am said:
  
  Yes he has that certain little way about him for sure.
  
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Steve Gingold on April 26, 2015 at 5:10 pm said:

I would expect to hear the music from “JAWS” when these guys float around. Nice work as always, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 9:56 am said:
  
  This guy does need his own theme music, maybe I can set up a sound system out there. 🙂
  
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donna213 on April 26, 2015 at 5:49 pm said:

I would be a bit intimidated too, especially with that show of teeth. Great shots, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 9:57 am said:
  
  Lucky for me I’m not on his radar screen as something to worry about. Thanks for looking!
  
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Girl Gone Expat on April 26, 2015 at 7:14 pm said:

Cool pictures! He looks pretty intimidating with the mouth open, I would do the same as the smaller gators and leave the vicinity:)

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 9:59 am said:
  
  The little guys have the right idea and all goes well in their own special area until *someone* comes in and ruins everything.
  
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naturesnippets on April 27, 2015 at 7:30 am said:

Obviously, they call him “SIR.” Amazing pictures!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 9:59 am said:
  
  Oh I sure would! 😀
  
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foxleylady on April 27, 2015 at 10:38 am said:

To (mis)use Wellington’s quote at the battle of Waterloo, about his troops…..I don’t know what he does to those babies but by God he frightens me!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 11:10 am said:
  
  Heh heh, that’s great, I’m going to remember that one!
  
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Linda on April 27, 2015 at 11:19 am said:

You can say that again, he is an intimidator, and he knows it too….king of the marsh, or so he thinks, once again, amazing pictures. Thanks.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 12:03 pm said:
  
  He’s king of the marsh until somebody bigger than him shows up, then he is the one who will likely retreat to safety.
  In their world size is everything.
  Thanks for checking these out!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on April 27, 2015 at 1:29 pm said:

He intimidates me and I am only seeing him in a photo…Very amazing image series.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, it was fun and interesting seeing the big guy throwing his weight around. 🙂
  
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anotherday2paradise on April 27, 2015 at 2:05 pm said:

Great series of shots, Phil. I would also obey without question. 😯

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 4:18 pm said:
  
  He pretty much is in charge of everyone out there. When he talks everybody listens. 🙂
  
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Patrizia M. on April 27, 2015 at 3:33 pm said:

Bellissima serie di scatti, fantastico caro Phil
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on April 27, 2015 at 4:18 pm said:
  
  Grazie Pat! 😀
  
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Lyle Krahn on April 28, 2015 at 8:22 am said:

I find him quite persuasive!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 3, 2015 at 11:29 am said:
  
  So do I. As far as I’m concerned, he’s always right.
  
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