BIG Gator

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 17, 2013189 views7 comments

I watched this bull swim to shore and walk on all fours up to the grass. Then when he lay back down I got into position on my stomach for this low pov shot. The gator then moved its massive head sideways and picked up something from in the grass and then threw its head back and swallowed the whatever morsel.
Once done swallowing it lowered its head and stared directly at me. I got up and moved.

It must've been in a fight recently because if you look closely you'll see a hole or slit on the under side of its jaw, and it's missing a few teeth. Would love to have seen that fight.

D800 70-200mm f/13 1/1000 ISO 560

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Johan Malmros on March 17, 2013 at 4:58 PM

Very nice perspective Wayne. The position of the gator in comination with the low pov is great.
I like your choice of dof. It shows enough of the habitat to put the animal in context, but without making it a distraction.

Registered on January 6, 2011, 20 Posts, 154 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 18, 2013 at 1:15 AM

Well this is certainly a unique perspective and interesting behavior. Excellent view of the dentition. Johan summed up my exact thoughts very well. I found myself studying the interesting scale patterns on the gators ventral surface, pretty cool.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Elizabeth Arellano on March 18, 2013 at 8:26 AM

Run. The detail is wonderful. Beautiful capture. Run.

Registered on February 18, 2008, 35 Posts, 302 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on March 18, 2013 at 10:55 AM

Really nice shot Wayne, love the low pov and the detail in the subject. Did you stick around to get a quick shot of the stare down? Would love to see that one if you did.

cheers
Rick

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on March 18, 2013 at 12:25 PM

Yep, Rick. I did get the stare shot and will post it next.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on March 18, 2013 at 2:27 PM

The best gator shot I've ever seen, what a pose, well done🐊🐊🐊

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on March 18, 2013 at 10:10 PM

A brave person with a 200mm lens laying down for this low point of view
I find the hole in it's jaw interesting
I like this alot...a view I've not seen before!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments