Saturday, January 9, 2021

Cute little baby 'gators and friends!

 
We hiked at Blue Run Park one day. 


We like to drive over there at least once a week.


And after we walked over the bridge and down the hill to the pond we spotted some babies.


I was looking for the Wood ducks and stepped out a little to get a better photo and saw the babies!


These are not newborn but a few months old already. 


And it's about the only time an alligator looks cute, if you ask me! lol


I didn't see 'Mama' gator but I didn't stay long enough to spot her.


Tri-color Heron


Little Blue Heron


Hermit Thrush


Anhinga


Lots to see that day and those cute little gator babies! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 


51 comments:

Ella said...

Hi Diane!
The wood ducks are very beautiful and the other birds too, but the baby alligator ... I really don't know!
Maybe they are beautiful as long as they don't get too close to me!
Wishing you a nice weekend!

Martha said...

Beautiful captures! I love the little gators and ducks, and that blue heron is gorgeous. I've never seen one of those before!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane,

I love your birds, the Tricolored, Little Blue and the Hermit Thrush are beautiful photos. The baby gators are cute, I am sure mama gator was not far off. Another great hike and outing. Beautiful photos.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend!

Tom said...

...your idea of cute and mine are quite different!

ann said...

Pretty astounding to see the variety of wild life. Wood ducks have always been my favorite. My husband used to hunt ducks, but I cautioned him never to bring home a wood duck. My dad had a pond on his little farm just west of Denver that was home to a nesting pair. Mom would nest and hatch her babies on the irrigation ditch then make the long trek (for a duck) to the pond where she raised her little clutch. When the little acreage was sold, the new owner had the Colorado Wildlife come do an evaluation of the wildlife on the farm and learned that this nesting pair was very rare in the area and the only pair west of the interstate highway. The property sold again; the pond is gone and the land is being developed. Breaks my heart. We have wood ducks in Colorado, but they are not common where we live. I love the herons, too. Even the baby gators. Great way to start my Saturday.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am sure those herons would be quite happy to make lunch of those baby alligators.

DeniseinVA said...

Looking at these photos I look forward to the time I can visit Florida again. Amazing wildlife photos. Those baby gators are so cute, I remember seeing their grandpas in the Everglades, yikes! What a memory, one I would not have missed for the world but they were scary looking.

Rain said...

Oh my gosh Diane!!! Gators!!! I agree the babies do look cute! Though I'm sure they still have a strong bite. They still scare me lol! The bird photos are gorgeous, I just love those herons!

Kate said...

The baby 'gators are just so cute!! I enjoyed all of your beautiful photos.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Great photos
I admire your courage to be out walking with those ancient critters around.

Ricki Treleaven said...

I hope you were using a telephoto lens for the gator pics! You know there had to be Mama Gator close by! Super photos, My Friend!

Klara S said...

Pretty pictures. I love blue heron. We don't have them here. I can only spot grey herons. We don't have alligators either. It's rather good thing ;)

carol l mckenna said...

Gorgeous nature photos ~ even of the baby gators but much prefer the 'feathered friends' ~ ... Happy Weekend to you.

Moment by moment.....

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Phil Slade said...

That was quite a morning Diane. You set me wondering how many cutie youngsters Ma and Pa Gator can have in one season. If they're all having three or more no wonder there are so many in Florida. Also, I'm guessing alligators have no predators, apart from us humans?

Happy New Year to you. PS Loved the herons and the Hermit Thrush.

Susie said...

I loved seeing the birds Diane. I am like you...where is the momma. Yikes. You sure see some wonderful wildlife. Blessings, stay safe, xoxo,love, Susie

Jeanie said...

Seek and ye shall find! Those wood ducks are fabulous! And I'd love to see a little blue heron one day!

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Baby alligators...

Mmmmmmmm....

Where is Mama????????

Run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warm Winter Wishes
🌲🌲🔥🌲🌲

Lorrie said...

Hello Diane!
Those wood ducks are so very pretty - we see them here from time to time, too. And that blue heron is SO blue. Amazing. What a great variety of wildlife you see.
Enjoy your weekend.

Lea said...

Great photos!
Have a wonderful day!

Penelope Notes said...

What a serene place to visit ... except for the alligators. Although they seem to be grinning, it is definitely wise to keep a safe distance.

italiafinlandia said...

The blue heron is lovely, but the Wood ducks are even more.
Happy New Year!

Mae Travels said...

You made me curious about alligator family behavior so I looked it up and found out that mama alligators care for the young for around a year! That was a surprise. Your photos are great. Woodducks too!

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Wow, you got some great shots!!! But yes, I wouldn't stay too close to those "cute baby gators". Mama has to be nearby somewhere, and they are very protective. Love the birds...you saw a lot of beautiful ones in one place! Thank you for sharing them with us. What a treat!

Small City Scenes said...

Well I have never seen baby Alligators--maybe cute. I have never seen a Blue Heron--very striking.
MB

The Feminine Energy said...

Awwwww.... baby alligators!!!! I love baby anything, to be honest. These pictures warmed my heart today.... thank you!!! ~Andrea xoxo

Debbie said...

wow!!! awesome sightings, a very good birding and gatoring day!! the babies are adorable, smiling and they almost look friendly!! the wood ducks are so pretty, you captured beautiful reflections in both images!!

a good day, the trip-color heron is gorgeous!!! enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Terri D said...

Momma gator probably wasn't far away but the babies get out on their own pretty quickly, I think, I always love your photos. It looks like you were there on a beautiful day!

Bill said...

Beautiful photos of the birds. Alligators, I never heard them described as cute but seeing that they are babies, I would agree. :)

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

only you can make baby gators sound and look 'cute'!!!
great photos--thanks--
I was cold today--
luv, di

Ann said...

Your pictures are amazing. The one of the duck is beautiful. I hate to say it but I'm finding it hard to see the cute in those baby alligators. lol

happyone said...

My favorite pictures are the two herons.
That is certainly a great place for walking. All your photos are beautiful.

RedPat said...

I remember hearing the baby gators when in Florida. You are right that that is the only time they are cute!

Linda said...

Lovely pictures! I wouldn't want to upset Mama Gator!

Anni said...

I keep hoping/wishing to see a male wood duck, but nada so far...and then you find young ones to boot? I am green with envy!!!
Thanks, as always, your sharing with us birders at IRBB.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Oh how wonderful you were able to get out and about. I especially like the photos of the Wood Ducks and their "reflecions." Have a grand week!

Teresa said...

Fue un precioso paseo, me encantó verlo. Besos.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a great post! I miss our summer birds. Gators, never seen one!

Edna B said...

I love the photos. That's about the only time these gators are "cute." You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

2 gators said...

beautiful series Love the birds but those precious baby alligators are too cute great shots

Inger said...

The gator babies were really cute, for lack of a better word. So mama gator stays with the babies? I had no idea. Love how you can just get out in nature and see all these things. I live in the midst of nature and usually don't see anything much on my walks.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

It's so awesome that you are able to get out for those hikes and take such nice photos. Hope you have a nice week Diane.

Lowcarb team member said...

Such a wonderful hike and some fabulous sightings.
I enjoyed seeing all of your photographs.

All the best Jan

Jean said...

Always enjoy hearing about your hikes and seeing your photos. Cute babies but I don't think I'd want to see the mama either. Happy Sunday!

Simply Shelley said...

Happy new year my friend. I pray all is well with you. Blessings, Shelley

Nancy Chan said...

I like the wood ducks and birds but no thanks to gators, even baby gators.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Just wonderful! I love every bird and critter you show!

NatureFootstep said...

hi, you had a great hide that day :)
I agree, those gators looks cute, but they are not my favorite animals. :(
Your shots of the herons are great. specially the Tri-colored one. And I think the Wood ducks are maybe the most beautiful ducks. They look like comming straight out of a painting :)

Seem to be an interesting park :)

Carla from The River said...

Woodducks are my very favorite duck. They come visit us in the spring and summer. Those gators seem to like Florida.. would it be something if they decided to migrate North for the summer. HA!!

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Wonderful assortment of photos. I'm not too keen on those alligators, although I will admit they are kind of cute when they're small like that. I have yet to get a photo of a Wood Duck even though we have those here in Connecticut.

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh my, those baby gators are something else! Great photos of them Diane. I always wondered why they were called the Blue Heron because in every picture I've seen they weren't really blue. But from your photo, I can now see why he's called that. He's such a cute little fellow, and so blue in your picture. It looks like a peaceful hike.

~Sheri

Jeannie said...

Sorry. Must disagree. Alligators are not cute no matter how small they are.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry