&madmaven

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Had to share the alligator nest I found when on a recent hike. I counted 31 babies, but of varying sizes, which means combined nests. Deep in the "tunnel" you won't see the Momma that I heard bellow when the babies "beeped" when I first approached. In fact, the babies were so well blended in their environment, I never knew they were there as I shot some photos of nearby egrets. I heard the little "puppy beeps" and knew what I was hearing...and lo and behold...only 4 feet away, the nest. I wish I could share the reverbaration sound / the ground literally seems to vibrate all the way to the pit of your stomach...{ when Momma growls}. :) In the distance, another watchful Momma appeared and kept her eyes on me awhile before floating back to her sunny bank just beyond the nest. The Momma in the tunnel never made appearance, but I saw the bubbles from her snout a few times deep inside the darkness. The babies were amazing....smaller ones climbing all over the slightly larger ones..."alligator romper room". Precious! :)