Projektin Alligators of Georgia Päiväkirja

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 105556971 - American Alligator; Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.

In the northwestern corner of Phinizy Swamp, across the wooden bridge that crosses the oxbow lake marsh, is the "Equalization Pond". I assume it is a bit deeper water than the wetland cells, and therefore houses a variety of wildlife. There is always a fairly large gator or two out in the open and up close for some good photographs.

A short wooden fence surrounds the pond and can obscure the banks. So you occasionally have to slow down and peer down over the fence along the water’s edge. On my last trip to Phinizy, I nearly passed by one large alligator. It was only several yards from me, but hidden by the fence and bank. Climbing up on the fence a bit, I was able to shoot down and get some great detail photographs of those water-tight crocodilian scales and armor.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 105556971 - American Alligator; Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.

New Year's Day at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia

• Clouds and sun, with a high near 81; wind gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
• Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
• Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” Wait, that’s already been used. “In a culvert under the road there lived a gator…”

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat observation: 22087784

In a roadside ditch between the cabins and the RV campground of the Stephen C Foster State Park in Georgia, a three to four-foot juvenile alligator made his home. Being on the walkway between the campgrounds and the visitor center, he was probably one of the most visited and photographed gators in the park (perhaps besides “Sophie”, the matriarch that has dwelled in the boat launch area for many years).

It’s an easy spot to find: there are metal posts at both sides of the road to mark the culvert for mowers. However, not seeing any fish for food in that roadside gutter, I’m not sure how long he’ll take up residence there. But he was pretty clever in choosing that culvert as a safe place to hide and a safe way to cross the road. But at some point, he’ll grow too big to fit in that little pipe any longer!
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Because he was such a regular attraction for park visitors, he was pretty tolerant of people walking up for a closer look. On several of our evening walks after paddling the Okefenokee Swamp, my daughter capture some closeup video on her GoPro Hero5. But when he felt threatened enough, he’d shoot like a little rocket into the culvert!

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia USA

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 104607103 - American Alligator; Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.

Right through the center of the Phinizy Swamp wetlands runs the distribution canal for the treated wastewater. This is typically a good place to get some close-up alligator action. There is a chain link fence running both edges of the canal - I guess to keep people from falling in - but the large gaps underneath allow the gators to come and go.

While walking Phinizy Swamp on New Year's Day, I spotted a mighty big one on the opposite bank. Being a warm January day, with a previous week of cooler temps, this giant was enjoying the sun. I looped the southern end of the fenced canal and came up to where it lay basking in all glory.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 104607103 - American Alligator; Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.

It kept its eye on me as I kept my eye on it. The gaps in the fence didn't offer much protection, but did allow some great close-up detail photographs of the large, white teeth, integumentary sense organs, vertically elliptical pupil, and panoply of armor - its scales, scutes and osteoderms. I have seen and photographed nearly 1,000 alligators, but they never fail to impress and captivate my attention.

New Year's Day at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia

• Clouds and sun, with a high near 81; wind gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
• Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
• Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescen