A Reptilian Morning

So, I logged in today, and clicked "new post" to begin writing something. I wasn't sure just what to write! I'll wing it...

Yesterday, I drove back to the islands. It was such a beautiful morning. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures [mid 60s when I left home], and drier air without heavy humidity. I was ready to walk the boardwalk along Charlie's Pasture. Upon arriving I parked at my first stop. Luckily, I was the only one there at that hour. NICE! And quiet. I had the refuge all to myself; along with the birds singing and the gentle sea breeze blowing. Did I say it was quiet? Indeed...and just like I like it. I stopped to investigate this little marked cache before entering the area of the marsh. It was surrounded by broken branches and under some rock was a written notice...

Leonabelle Turnbull Wildlife Refuge

...it states "Red Eared Slider Nest" Now, if you aren't sure what a "red eared slider" is...it's a turtle. These turtles are VERY common around South Texas. Everywhere there is water [mostly the murky water], there are red-eared sliders. I photograph them often. In fact just days prior to seeing this at the refuge, I took a series of three photos at a city park lake in town...

One, I noticed had its head above the water, only to dive under all too quickly. But I got a photo of it anyway...

Lakeview Park

Once I checked out the out-cropping of the Willow Trees for migrant birds and saw nothing eye catching, I continued along the paved sidewalk to the boardwalk and open pond. Red Winged Blackbirds sang to me as I checked from side to side for any activity. I spotted more hatchlings and their parents, all in search for the morning meal. I could see large fish swimming. In the reed grasses [cat tail] I could hear different species of birds cackling, calling, and chirping. Arriving at the observation tower, I saw a neotropic cormorant swimming with the morning sun shining on it. Off in the distance, the one female alligator [named Bags as in alligator purse] was lazily stretched out to its full length, sunning.

As I was focusing on it, I noticed through the viewfinder, she was beginning to raise its head from the water....which can only mean one of two things [maybe both]. She was getting ready to bellow and do a head slap! If you've ever heard an alligator bellow, you know it can be a hair raising thrill. Well, there was no bellow, but a loud clap as she brought her head down against the water's surface. This action is for a purpose...it lets other alligators nearby know where they are. A call so to speak. It can also be part of the mating ritual, but the 2nd, larger, alligator wasn't close. At least I couldn't find it. BUT...soon after the head slap, he [named Boots, as in alligator footwear] shows up!!

"Here I am! Come here, come here!"


"On second thought...go away, go away!"


...to be continued? Maybe?