Hello February!!
After January's deep dive into the freezer almost the entire month, I certainly didn't expect I'd be introducing a new to me Gator friend to my Congregation today. Meet Spike. And did you know a collection of Alligators is called a Congregation? Right on up there with a Murder of Crows if you ask me... Anyhow, I have never seen a Gator with such pointy and spiculated Scutes as this one. Check the risers out just behind the critter's head! This solid 6 footer was fat and sassy emerging from Brumation on this late January day in the upper 60's. I have to give thanks to my Hawkeyed friend Gator Dan Webb for spotting it and immediately notifying me of its presence. Minutes later my Shotgun Rider and I hit the road hoping against hope that it would still be out basking and exposing its solar panels or scutes to collect energy reserves in that warm winter sun. The coloration is odd because of the dried orange clay mud mask and body toner present from coming out from its Gator Hole where it's been whiling away the cold in a state of suspended animation. Alligators are the masters of biofeedback. They can slow their heart rates to about 3 beats per minute, complimented by one breath in the same time frame to decrease energy consumption in the colder temps. As on this unusually warm winter's day, the sun coaxed it out to bask and thaw and to even drink water for a few hours. Gators don't eat during Brumation. These short trysts surfacing are reserved for refilling their energy reservoirs and occasionally sipping. In order to digest food much higher sustainable temps in the upper 70's/80’s are required. In fact, if an Alligator ate and the temps dropped they could actually become septic and die from the inactivity in their gut. I find it absolutely amazing how these creatures that evolved so many millions of years ago have survived in the same fashion so successfully. We have much more to learn from these scaley scuted reptiles, especially in the areas of Immunity, Cancer research, Biofeedback mechanisms and even simple adaptability and Survivalist skills. Long Live My Gators!!
Spike's portfolio...
Sadly, I only spent about 10 minutes with this magnificent specimen because I left my Hazel Mae (always within sight) in my truck parked off the road. I never stressed this animal getting my shots in. Not a muscle twitched or hiss was emitted as I circled behind it. It did eventually open its right mud crusted eye momentarily but that was it. Because of its close proximity to the water's edge I figured my presence would push it to submerge. Nope! It could've cared less about me. I kept my distance praying I was getting some good footage because I'm basically shooting blind watching the Gator and not the screen. I can see the format of my pics but I have to focus on the animal for my safety's sake. I have to say I was actually thrilled once I started editing the fruits of my labor. My excitement was off the chain as it had been about 6 weeks since I last spotted my favorite quarry.
Sadly, I only spent about 10 minutes with this magnificent specimen because I left my Hazel Mae (always within sight) in my truck parked off the road. I never stressed this animal getting my shots in. Not a muscle twitched or hiss was emitted as I circled behind it. It did eventually open its right mud crusted eye momentarily but that was it. Because of its close proximity to the water's edge I figured my presence would push it to submerge. Nope! It could've cared less about me. I kept my distance praying I was getting some good footage because I'm basically shooting blind watching the Gator and not the screen. I can see the format of my pics but I have to focus on the animal for my safety's sake. I have to say I was actually thrilled once I started editing the fruits of my labor. My excitement was off the chain as it had been about 6 weeks since I last spotted my favorite quarry.
Different views accentuating the unique Scutes this critter sports.
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.