Alligator with an attitude...

[jprzybyla]

Yesterday I encountered this guy while looking for birds to photograph. Luckily and thankfully there was a twenty foot wide water filled canal between me and him, I don't move as fast as I once did. C&C welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

[Kris V]

Yesterday I encountered this guy while looking for birds to photograph. Luckily and thankfully there was a twenty foot wide water filled canal between me and him, I don't move as fast as I once did. C&C welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Found any birds?

[Mike Buckley]

I don't move as fast as I once did.

You would with that kind of motivation.

[Jims]

Yesterday I encountered this guy while looking for birds to photograph. Luckily and thankfully there was a twenty foot wide water filled canal between me and him, I don't move as fast as I once did. C&C welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

I'd be worrying about the crocs on "my side" of the water filled divide!!!!

Lovely pic btw

[Sergio M.]

Awesome capture, Joe.

Sergio

[terrib]

Pretty scary stuff, Joe. I'm interested in the behavior of these guys, their signals and such. I plan to make another trip to the Gulf coast and may be out hiking alone. The last time I was there, my husband and I spotted many in the waters along the trails and by the roads and there were clear game paths from one side of the trail to the other. I sure don't want to do anything stupid! But I don't intend to let fear keep me from hiking either. If you've knowledge to share, I'd love to hear it.

[Wavelength]

Great shot; were you in a jungle then? Is that canal their abode?
Regards

[Stagecoach]

Joe,

There's not much more to say than 'Wow'.

Grahame

[hopeg]

Awesome shot!

[chauncey]

C'mon Joe, fill the frame...get closer!

[Shadowman]

C'mon Joe, fill the frame...get closer!

And get down on his level.

[FrankMi]

Whoa Joe! You can almost see what he had for lunch, or if he hasn't eaten yet, where he's gonna put it!

Don't look now but I doubt a 20' canal would slow him down much if he decided to come lick your hand!

[NorthernFocus]

Great shot, Joe. But... ummm... I haven't lived down south in a while but as I recall gators can swim rather well. That canal wasn't much protection

[jprzybyla]

Found any birds?

Hello Kris, thank you for viewing and commenting. Nahhhhhhh, he wasn't asking that... he was hissing.

[jprzybyla]

You would with that kind of motivation.

Hello Mike, thank you for viewing and commenting. Yes I would, fast enough to reach the car and slam the door.

[jprzybyla]

I'd be worrying about the crocs on "my side" of the water filled divide!!!!

Lovely pic btw

Hello Jim, thank you for viewing and commenting. Well, on my side of the water filled divide was the trail through the national wildlife reserve.

[jprzybyla]

Awesome capture, Joe.

Sergio

Thank you Sergio, very much appreciated.

[jprzybyla]

Pretty scary stuff, Joe. I'm interested in the behavior of these guys, their signals and such. I plan to make another trip to the Gulf coast and may be out hiking alone. The last time I was there, my husband and I spotted many in the waters along the trails and by the roads and there were clear game paths from one side of the trail to the other. I sure don't want to do anything stupid! But I don't intend to let fear keep me from hiking either. If you've knowledge to share, I'd love to hear it.

Hello Terri, thank you for viewing and commenting. Nahhhhhhh, alligators are not scary, just big lizards with teeth. My advice would be not to hang out at the waters edge, and never turn your back to the water if alligators are around. Alligators are ambush predators. If the prey is along the shore they use their tail to propel themselves out of the water in a rush. If the prey is in the water they attack from underneath. If you are going to the Gulf Coast in the winter most alligators will be trying to find a sunny area to warm up. They are like us full time Florida residents... if it goes under 90 degrees we are cold.

[jprzybyla]

Great shot; were you in a jungle then? Is that canal their abode?
Regards

Hello Nandakumar. thank you for viewing and commenting. Not jungle, marsh lands with water and ponds.

[jprzybyla]

Joe,

There's not much more to say than 'Wow'.

Grahame

Thank you Grahame, very much appreciated.