by Nana to Seven Cutiepies
Member since:
August 8, 2006

Huntington Beach State Park - Alligators - Photo essay

November 08, 2008 07:50 PM EST
views: 158 | rating: 10/10 (20 votes) | comments: 48

We decided to go to Huntington Beach State Park again since the weather has been perfect for getting out and enjoying nature.  You could go to Huntington Beach state Park every day and it would be a new and exciting experience, as we always find out on our trips there.  I took over one hundred photos, again, and I'll be splitting them up to share with Gather.  I also have two video to go along with our trip this time. Sorry, no video of the alligators, they were too far away.

We were fortunate enough to see alligators again, our second spotting.  These wasn't as close as the last trip, but I was able to zoom in and get a couple of decent shots.  Now if it was just a photo of an alligator, I'm not sure I'd be sharing a photo essay, but I found this amazing and I think you may enjoy this sighting also. 

I just couldn't believe my eyes when I zoomed in.  There is a sand bar and here is this large alligator along with cormorants and a pelican.  How lucky is this, not only for me to see, but for the cormorants and pelican also.  Fortunately the alligator isn't hungry.  I have no idea how the birds know this, but it is quite apparent they do.

I love the smile on his face:)  Scanning some more with our binoculars we spotted a few more.

The heron could care less......

The alligator seems to be taking a nap.

Don't be fooled, the alligators do eat the birds we've been told, but only when they are hungry.  I have no idea how the birds know when it is the alligator's feeding time though.  I'm just glad we didn't witness any birds in danger of becoming a meal.

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Comments: 48

Mary M. Nov 8, 2008, 7:51pm EST
What great shots, Nana!
Leah Christensen Nov 8, 2008, 7:54pm EST
These are great photos!
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Nov 8, 2008, 8:12pm EST
Those are amazing photos!
Elaine S. Nov 8, 2008, 8:22pm EST
Beautiful Photos Nana. that had to be a Great day for you.
Kay M. Nov 8, 2008, 8:31pm EST
Great photo essay! I'm surprised to see the birds hanging out with the gator.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Nov 8, 2008, 8:41pm EST
Great photo essay Nana. I have noticed the same thing about birds and alligators.
elizabeth e. Nov 8, 2008, 8:51pm EST
I kept waiting for the big GULP....but it didn't happen. That is incredible.
♥~♥ Phaedra ♥~♥ .. Nov 8, 2008, 9:02pm EST
I will have to visit that park next time I come over that way. Great pictures!
Sassy ... the calm and cool Cat Nov 8, 2008, 9:12pm EST
Wow, those are some amazing photos! Those birds sure are smart.
And I am so glad we don't have alligators up here.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 8, 2008, 9:12pm EST
Thanks everyone for commenting.
Whitney A. Nov 8, 2008, 10:21pm EST
Great photo essay. I am glad I've never seen an alligator, but this one seems to be ok, at least for now. Thanks for sharing!
DesertDarlene L. Nov 8, 2008, 11:18pm EST
Oh, wow, thanks for posting this to my group Group with no Theme
Janet "Jax" B. Nov 8, 2008, 11:32pm EST
Wow, you got some great photos. What a neat trip.
Amy H. Nov 9, 2008, 12:28am EST
Thanks for posting your content to the Group: We comment back
Miz Lynn aka/BooBoo Nov 9, 2008, 12:43am EST
Great photos, for a minute there I thought I was in Louisiana...:))
Marianne R. Nov 9, 2008, 1:45am EST
Cool photos. I am surprised they don't bother the birds. I guess the one wasn't hungry.
Mary C. Nov 9, 2008, 8:53am EST
Nicely done.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 9, 2008, 9:59am EST
Thanks all for commenting.
Lucky Stars Nov 9, 2008, 10:52am EST
Great photos, Nana.
Maybe the birds don't know when the alliagator will eat them. The term "bird brain" came from some where.................. :-)
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 9, 2008, 1:55pm EST
Bobbi, you may be right:(
Thanks so much for commenting.
Marian L Nov 9, 2008, 3:12pm EST
Great shots. I wonder how the birds know the alligator isn't going to eat them. Animals are more intelligent than we give them credit for.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 9, 2008, 3:42pm EST
Thanks Marian. They are really brave to be there like this.
Christine Zibas Nov 9, 2008, 4:17pm EST
These are so interesting. I just can't believe those birds aren't scared. I guess Marian is right...animals are smarter than we think!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 9, 2008, 4:32pm EST
Thanks Christine.
glenda j. Nov 9, 2008, 4:34pm EST
cool
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 9, 2008, 5:10pm EST
Thank you Glenda.
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Nov 9, 2008, 7:13pm EST
very cool essay, i guess the ones on top of the water are not hungry its the ones lurking below they have to be worried about
Tory H. Nov 9, 2008, 7:58pm EST
Amazing! Those birds must really have a good sense of alligator behavior!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 9, 2008, 8:09pm EST
Thanks Angela, you know what, I think you are right about that. When we see them laying in the sun they aren't aggressive at all.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 9, 2008, 8:09pm EST
Thanks Tory.
Mary Standard Nov 10, 2008, 9:12am EST
These are fantastic pictures in your Photo Essay, Nana, they really tell the story!!! =0)
M & M. Nov 10, 2008, 1:28pm EST
You always have the very best photo's with essays. I do enjoy them a lot. Thank you so much for taking the time to post them for everyone. God bless you sweetie.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 10, 2008, 3:22pm EST
Thank you Mary and Margieanne for the kind comments.
Shannon R. Nov 10, 2008, 10:59pm EST
Thanks for posting this to my group point4mepoint4u
Cheryle - Returns comments - R. Nov 11, 2008, 3:49pm EST
I think right here all they wanted was the sun.

Thanks for posting to Goldfish Post All
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 11, 2008, 4:21pm EST
Thanks Shannon and Cheryle.
Erica M. Nov 21, 2008, 3:18pm EST
That alligator almost looked dead!
Maria W. Nov 24, 2008, 10:25am EST
Beautiful Pictures, Nana.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 24, 2008, 2:19pm EST
Thank you Erica and Maria.

Erica, they say when they are full they just go to sleep and when they are hungry watch out. The birds were lucky, he wasn't hungry.
Abby N. Nov 25, 2008, 1:53am EST
Thanks For Finding Waldo.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 25, 2008, 11:24am EST
Thanks Liz!
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Nov 26, 2008, 7:27pm EST
Wonderful essay of an ancient Creature Teacher... Hmmm, I should really add them to the list!
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Nov 26, 2008, 7:27pm EST
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 26, 2008, 8:25pm EST
Thanks Quinn, yes that would be very interesting!
Pristina S. Dec 4, 2008, 1:34pm EST
Great photos.
Victoria H. Jan 13, 2009, 9:10pm EST
Thanks so much for posting this to my group All Photo Essays Here !!
Rose H. May 24, 2009, 9:03pm EDT

Oh my, what an amazing shot those birds on the back of the alligator:)
Shelbia C. May 28, 2009, 7:01pm EDT

great photo essay

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