I previously worked as a news and sports photographer. Recently I have been enjoying wildlife photography. My approach toward bird photos is similar to sports photography. I attempt to capture mostly action and hopefully a unique perspective.
Well at least that’s what I told this rather large alligator that was slogging through the mud among the oyster beds in the salt marsh recently. He really looked like he meant business, so what else would I tell him?!? 🙂

Stupenda 🙂
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Grazie Pat! 🙂
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See ya later, alligator !
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I probably did see this guy later, and some fish likely saw him as well. 😯 🙂
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Are those marsh things in the background mussels!! Handsome tail!!
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Those are oysters, and the little things in the foreground are mud snails.
And oh yes, he has quite a handsome tail. 🙂
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Shoot my first thought was oyster but I doubted. That is bad since my college major was marine biology and shell naming was a hobby for awhile. My bad!
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Well since you majored in marine biology you may be wondering about seeing alligators in salt water. They do not in fact live in the salt marsh but will go there to visit on occasion to hunt for food, then they go back to their regular pond habitat. 🙂
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Yeah I’ve seen alligators at the salt marshes on the Gulf before…behind St Marks Lighthouse I saw one in that marsh. I guess the ones I mostly see though in Big Cypress or any of the wetlands, the water is fresh. Lake Okeechobee has lots, lots of alligators.
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Big Critter
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He is a good size boy no question.
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Whoa! Talk about gravitas coming through in the photograph. I think you found exactly the correct words! 😉 He’s a beautiful creature.
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He is a good looking guy, and the way he was walking around out there I suspect he is also head gator in charge. 🙂
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Absolutely prehistoric, Phil.
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That’s true Steve, especially when you see one out walking around it is like seeing a living dinosaur.
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😀 Better part of discretion.
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A well placed kind word can often do wonders. 🙂
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Always best to get in his good books, I would think. 🙂 This is a really great pic, Phil.
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That was my thought as well Sylvia, when in doubt, best to toss out a compliment. 🙂
Thanks so much for looking and commenting.
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Just like with a woman. Compliments always win out. 🙂
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It is hard to believe these creatures live among us.
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They really do look like something from out of the age of dinosaurs don’t they?!
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I would have added ‘sir’ just to be safe.
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That is an excellent and wise suggestion.
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Definitely one to be polite to! He doesn’t have Mr G’s smile, does he?!
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This guy did not seem to be really smiling at all, he was quite focused and determined so I thought it best to offer a kind compliment. 🙂
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Heyyyy Where are you going Mr.Alligator ?
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Ha ha I think he was going to hunt for Mr. Crab for his evening dinner. 🙂
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Tails are dangerous, no? I would not want to be in the way of one. Nice photo of the mud-slosher.
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Those tails are powerful and it is amazing to see how fast they can blast across the water using just their tails for propulsion. Glad you enjoyed this photo.
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After while crocodile….
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This guy was only out there a brief while. 🙂
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You’re so brave! And I do agree, his backside is rather handsome!
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Well I’m not that brave, I usually try to stand near an older, slower person so if Mr. Gator gets any crazy ideas I don’t have to be faster then the gator, I only have to be faster then the person next to me. 😉 😀
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You are one smart dude! Although, if I ever make it for a bike week and we see Mr. Gator while we’re standing together, I might push you in his direction to give myself a head start. But I would only do that if I’d been drinking Captain…I think.
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For some reason…I just had an image pop in my head of an alligator slurping up a Skinny Pirate from a bowl like a dog. Now who do we know that would put out cocktails for our alligator friends? Humm…
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I think you’re onto something. Maybe I will be known as ‘The Alligator Whisperer’ one day!
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There’s the theme for yet another reality how for you! You think Ted would mind sharing his home with an alligator or two?
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I think that Ted would rule the roost after putting his paw down…I think, anyhow.
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Yeah that sounds about right.
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A tail to be proud of!
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It is a nice tail isn’t it?! 🙂
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He looks like an old dinosaur in this picture
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I love all your photos, Phil, but the gators are my favourites.
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