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.
I, too, am intimidated. Wow!
I would leave if he glared at me like that too! 😮
Great shots. I am certainly intimidated by the big guy too.
Yes he has that certain little way about him for sure.
I would expect to hear the music from “JAWS” when these guys float around. Nice work as always, Phil.
This guy does need his own theme music, maybe I can set up a sound system out there. 🙂
I would be a bit intimidated too, especially with that show of teeth. Great shots, Phil.
Lucky for me I’m not on his radar screen as something to worry about. Thanks for looking!
Cool pictures! He looks pretty intimidating with the mouth open, I would do the same as the smaller gators and leave the vicinity:)
The little guys have the right idea and all goes well in their own special area until *someone* comes in and ruins everything.
Obviously, they call him “SIR.” Amazing pictures!
Oh I sure would! 😀
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!
Heh heh, that’s great, I’m going to remember that one!
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.
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!
He intimidates me and I am only seeing him in a photo…Very amazing image series.
Thanks very much, it was fun and interesting seeing the big guy throwing his weight around. 🙂
Great series of shots, Phil. I would also obey without question. 😯
He pretty much is in charge of everyone out there. When he talks everybody listens. 🙂
Bellissima serie di scatti, fantastico caro Phil
Ciao, Pat
Grazie Pat! 😀
I find him quite persuasive!
So do I. As far as I’m concerned, he’s always right.