Welcome March!!
I call March the transition month down here but it's also the time I consistently start to see Alligators emerging from Brumation and staying out. Well, maybe not so much in the early days but definitely as it winds down. Finally winter’s stranglehold on the Swamp begins to loosen up with the veiled promise that we won't see plummeting temps again for another year. Yesterday proved to be a banner day for Gator Gazing. It was all the more special as my fellow Alligator Alliance friends made the long trip down from near Winston-Salem for the first time in 2025 to do some Gatortat cleaning with me and for a long awaited visit between friends. Lisa and JC arrived at my house bearing gifts for my babies - their favorites - Freeze dried Beef Lung and Chicken Hearts! It was a free for all feast for everyone plus a lotta hugs and puppy kisses were exchanged. Mackenzie got to meet my dear friends for the first time and Emmylou even let Lisa pet her. I don't know who was the happiest, Lisa or JC or me or Hazel or Pinky! We finally broke away to begin our trek to hopefully spot some Gators in the 70 degree temps we were blessed with on this Saturday. On our first stop we were rewarded with a view of 2 what I call twofers (2 footers), a single 3 footer and a much larger (possibly Mama) that we viewed momentarily for as soon as she spotted us she slipped into the safety of the water. Off to a great start! Admittedly we were all disappointed to miss our favorite Gator Beau / Popeye and his Olive this special day but they normally show up later. Unfortunately the whipping SE winds churned the pond's surface further discouraging their appearances. Maybe next time...
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After I had walked the dam and JC expertly scanned the far side of the pond with his binoculars to no avail, we tore ourselves away from our favorite spots to travel to Southport. We were elated to see another scaley scuted friend on the edge of a familiar pond. No pics because it deftly slid underwater on our approach. This behavior is a good sign that this gator has not been fed. Onto the business at hand - clean up. I'm happy to report that we 3 gathered 2 regulation size trash bags full of assorted glass and plastic bottles, paper, plastic bags a bucket and Styrofoam detritus from a roadside ditch and small creek. To my elation, I zeroed in on a 4 footer lying haphazardly near a culvert! I quickly handed off my graspers to JC and got down to business!!
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Bingo!!!
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This is Baby Charlie that Lisa and JC have watched grow up and I was introduced to 2 yrs ago (Note: Baby Charlie was featured in an article “Alligator Alliance Does Gator Patrol” featured on LifeinBrunswickCounty.com). I love his dark bronze coloration. He resides in the muckiest murkiest of waters and his hide reflects that.
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Eye Teefs...
Till Later My Baby Charlie 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!
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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.
