See an alligator in the wild

“My eyes scanned the floating logs which I studied in search of baby alligators. Wait! In amongst the coffee brown saturated logs was one large shiny graphite log. I jabbed the break and shouted ‘ALLIGATOR!’. I fired off some shots through the car window but I couldn’t get a good angle. I gently opened the car door and slipped out, edging to the top of the bank. My mind was racing; I was certain that the chilled-down alligator would have no interest in making a breakfast out of me, but I was concerned that the alligator would sink below the surface never to be seen again. Of course, the alligator had no interest in anything that I was doing. Not a movement. Not even a ripple. I fired off all the shots that I wanted, without getting too close or disturbing the majestic creature in front of me.”

“As I was walking through a different neighborhood, my eyes were drawn to a beautiful egret that I had never seen before. I excitedly took some photos, completely unaware that I was about to have an even more thrilling encounter. As I walked closer to a lake, I suddenly spotted something moving in the tall grass. It took me a few seconds to realize it was a baby alligator, camouflaged so perfectly that I almost missed it. My heart was racing as I tried to capture a photo of the alligator from different angles. However, I also knew I needed to be cautious and not get too close to this wild animal.”