Fair Warning: Old Warrior Dragon Overload!!
Oh my goodness gracious Ya'll! It's been 17 days since I last communed with my Spirit Animal and the fact that I was accompanied by my comrades Lisa and JC McNeill of Alligator Alliance made it all the more special as they love this creature just as much as I do. I have faithfully been visiting his habitat almost daily only to be greeted by Olive or an empty beach. I knew he had been here as evidenced by photos and videos from some of my photog friends but I myself hadn't been so lucky lately. I seem to forget each time just how massive the sheer girth and size of my Ancient Warrior Dragon. He is ruled only by an Instinct to Survive by that basal Reptilian Brain of his. Don't let his stillness lull you into complacency as he is only capable of responding to 3 cues - food, friend or foe. These actions have served his kind throughout the millennium and continue to keep his scaly Scuted kind in existence. Stand tall when in his presence so as to alert him to your stature. Don't crouch or hunker down; it will make your escape slower and liken your size to his prey. And YES, He can clamber up that wall and launch himself with those powerful hind legs and tail at least half the length of his 12 foot form.
My guy performing an action known as sweeping- rocking that massive head of his back and forth with an open maw to pick up tasty morsels in the water. No; we didn't feed him...
Oh how I love this Alligator even though my feelings are not reciprocated. Maybe I should term it respect for the resilience and adaptability of the species... I don't really know what it is that draws me to them but I always leave with an all encompassing calm, that replaces the initial rush of fear, awe and excitement when I spot them. That peace is such a rarity for myself that I seek it like a moth is drawn to a flame. All I know is that I will continue to stalk these creatures from a long by-gone Era as long as I am able..
Till Later My All Time Favorite Gator...
I'm Always on the Lookout for My Gators. Sometimes
they appear in the Skies rather than the Waters ...
Oh Happy Day!
they appear in the Skies rather than the Waters ...
Oh Happy Day!
Author
My name is Kathy Sykes and I'm a wildlife photographer who spends her time stalking the American Alligator in my beloved Brunswick County. You may see me out and about in my “Gator Up” truck with my shotgun rider Hazel Mae searching for sunrises, gators and all things swampy. Come ride with me and share in the adventures of profiling and protecting this amazing creature and its habitats.