Saturday, December 1, 2018

Are all Baby Critters CUTE?

When we think of cute baby critters, we think of baby ducklings, spotted fawns, sweet baby lambs…

alligatorbabyIMG_0495

but what about this little guy?

How cute is HE!!!

We marvel when we walk the trail at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon and come upon baby critters.

DSCN4336

This time we walked up to the rail at a small stream and looked over and saw this!

DSCN4337

Mama Gator!

(We could just see her head coming out of a culvert that runs under the paved trail)

DSCN4339

And then when our eyes moved to the bank we saw lots of baby alligators!

IMG_0697

We’ve counted 19 of them (and seen them 3 weeks in a row)

AMAZING!

Over the years we’ve been able to watch baby hawks, baby moorhens, the Little Blue Heron (that was WHITE for so long) and other babies. But this was our very first time to see baby alligators.

DSCN4527

Not all of them will survive but we’re wondering how many will stay in this small stream. We usually only see Alligators from a distance, these were quite close!

So what do you think? Pretty cute, aren’t they? heeheehee!

IMG_0976

Ahhhh look…he’s learning to swim!

And to join birders today, I’ll show you what was about 3 feet away from them.

DSCN4416

2 Limpkins and 2 White Ibis

IMG_0688

They were eating away, not scared in the least! I admit to feeling just a wee bit scared watching these ‘critters’ with Mama looking on!

IMG_0690

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

42 comments:

Jeanie said...

I'm thinking they're not that cute! But that Ibis -- wow!

Barbara said...

Oh my! Mama gator wasn't all that far from you. I guess you knew she would be preoccupied with them and not you, as long as you posed no threat to her young ones. Great photography of gators, birds, and water, plants.

Ramblings of a Retired Lady said...

I have to say that I thought the babies were cute in their own way. And so many at one time...wow. Nice pictures of all.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The baby gators are cute. I am sure Momma was watching her babies closely.
Love the Limpkin and the White Ibis. Great series of gator photos and I love the birds too of course. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend.

Anu said...

Hello! Wonderful photos and lovely post! Baby gator looks so cute, but I don't know if it is cute...

MadSnapper said...

they are totally ADORABLE!!! I am feeling a little jealous. the cutest one is the swimming one and next is my favorite, which is the first one. I can see all the details. I am so glad we don't have 19 at one time. HA HA on that one. excellent reporting and fantastic photos

MadSnapper said...

the first one is smirking and looking like he is thinking about whom to have for a meal

Kate said...

Those babies are so precious!

Irma said...

Beautiful pictures of the baby alligators.
The white ibis is also beautiful.
Best regards, Irma

Bill said...

The baby gators are cute to see. I don't think I would want to be close too them, mama could decide it's snack time. :) The Limpkin and the White Ibis are beautiful as are all your photos. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful afternoon and weekend.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I gotta say - gators scare the bejeezus out of me - I would be running for the hills if I saw mama. But indeed, the babies are adorable. But Still!!!.. Ack!!!

Inger said...

They are very cute and so many of them. It must have been a wonderful experience to see them all, with mama there too. In the end, I think both you and the birds are a bit too close for comfort. At least my comfort. Great pictures!

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

I have to agree........the little gators look so cute. I actually think the saying is true....."there are no ugly babies" Love all of your lovely photos!

Anonymous said...

well, I think most baby critters are cute but I'm not sure about alligator babies, lol,, they kind of look like snakes to me, ( my vision as you know is almost gone ), the stripes make them look like snakes to me,, and they wiggle, lol,, but yes,, I suppose in relation to their parents they are cute lol,, you are such a sweet hearted person, I've never seen an alligator in life, and well, I will say its never been on my bucket list lol,,

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Great series of images. I have never seen baby alligators but I know that the mothers watch over them for a while. I guess the Limpkins and the Ibises know when they are in jeopardy. I am sure the baby alligators made a tasty snack for them.

Adam Jones said...

Oh no no! Not cute, but I like the Ibis. :)

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! What a selection of critters ~ cute but wouldn't mess with Mama ~ Wonderful photos ~ !

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Ann said...

They are kind of cute but fierce looking too. 19 of them, that's a lot.

happyone said...

I think they are cute too. I think any baby critter is cute. : )

DUTA said...

I like the blue color of the baby alligators, but only the color. I wouldn't approach them.

Terri D said...

You got some great photos of those little gators!! Unfortunately, many of them won't make it. Male gators eat their young and they are also food for Eagles and Osprey and snakes. Oh my!!! Nature can be cruel sometimes! Hope you can keep an eye on them for us and let us know how they are doing!!

Tom said...

...gators cute? Not really.

Linda said...

Love the birds but the gators give me the creeps!

Lorrie said...

I'm not really into gators, and had a bit of a hard time with seeing so many of them together. Love the birds! Love your sense of adventure!

Phil Slade said...

Great pictures Diane- birds and alligators. I wondered if you were in any danger with all those babes around? Aren't the adults protective of their young?

Anni said...

Oh my gosh! I would NOT be standing around taking photos of baby gator when mama was so close! Loved the Lumpkin (we don't see this species here!)

Hey? Again I send my thanks & appreciation that you took the time to share with us at I'd Rather B Birdin!

Vee said...

What a sight! Nope, those critters are so ugly only a mother could love’em. *Shudder* But what a sight for you to see. I’d have had to move right along... Love that cheery mitten border!

Jenn Jilks said...

They are delightful, a real part of the cycle of life. Interesting birds, too. We are now seeing our winter birds.

It's me said...

I never steen such a lot of alligator baby’s ....bit scarry but cute.....happy day love Ria x ❤️

Lea said...

Those baby gators are cute. I am sure those birds are well aware of the Gators, and will fly away if they get closer.

Debbie said...

you are lucky to see such beautiful birds and those baby alligators are adorable. i guess they are all from the same female?? that's a lot of babies to keep track of!!

Arlene G said...

Oh my goodness...19 baby gators!! We had some new ducks on our pond this visit...two hooded mergansers. It is so fun to learn of the nature all around us.

KB said...

All critters are cute to me

handmade by amalia said...

Not sure cute is there first word that would come to mind when I see a gator.
Amalia
xo

BeachGypsy said...

Hands down, one of my ALL TIME favorite posts, girlfriend!! You know how I love to see the gators but never have we come upon little babies!!!---Wow!, I would love it. I know alot of people think they are ugly and yes, they can be mean if you are in with them, there have been awful tragedies, but I think the babies are cute. We've seen babies at parks but never in the wild. They lay their eggs here in spring and are usually hatched by August, I think. I keep a safe distance, but, like you, I do love to photograph them. I never cared for alligators one bit until we started getting out in the swamps and I started taking pictures of them and i sure enjoyed that. Hope you had a great weekend, it was warm and windy and rainy here. Our big Christmas parade has been rescheduled.

Nancy Chan said...

The birds are cute but I will be too scared to stay around to watch the baby gators.

NatureFootstep said...

sure, the little gator IS cute :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I love the baby gators ...we’ve seen a few, not that many at once though. And they are really good parents too.... we heard a ranger talk about that once. We’re heading to alligator country this week, hooray!

Sam I Am...... said...

They are cute but mama not so much! She was huge! LOL! Be careful out there!

Lowcarb team member said...

Such wonderful photographs.
Can baby alligator's look cute? Yes they can!

All the best Jan

Carla from The River said...

You are right, I LOVE THIS POST!! They are so cute. I just love them. Does the mom make a noise to call them to her? (like a chicken does to get her chicks to come?) When do alligators have babies in Florida?
Yes, keep us posted on how they grow and survive.
What usually kills the babies?

Ariadne said...

Oh my God, those little reptiles are amazing!AriadnefromGreece!