It seems the Florida wetlands has its own unique way to control speeding on some of the back roads. :-) This large alligator was stretched out over half the road soaking in the sunshine after a cool rainy night.
As we slowly approached in our vehicle we wondered if this gator was even alive because there was no discernible movement. It was only as we drew even, looking down its back and only a couple feet from its tail, that it became clear it was watching us from the corner of one eye. Still it never made any large movements as we passed.
This gator was easily in the 9-10 feet range but was definitely much larger in body than the one in yesterdays post. I would assume that this one was possibly a male since they tend to be larger/heavier then the females but that’s a guess on my part.
I’ve found that this trip has left me somewhat fascinated with alligators. As Eric in yesterdays post commented, “They are such an enigma to humans. Ancient, cunning, powerful, dangerous. We don’t quite know what to make of them, do we?” I agree part of their fascination is that they are so alien to us and they are certainly a link to a time before man.
Perhaps later on occasion I might post one from the archives.
However, I can’t promise this is the last of the Florida photos. I still have a few I’d perhaps like to share. ;-)
Being Friday, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
A fine series on this interesting fellow. I like your description too since I have never been to alligator
country.
don, thanks and I’m glad you found this series interesting.
These are bigger then the ones I saw near Cape Canaverale, make good speed bumps.
Don, these gators are largest I’ve seen “in-the-wild” and they would certainly cause you to slow down where ever they were.
I have also been enjoying the alligator series Earl. They are quite interesting animals to see out and about – quite prehistoric. I think their visibility is quite symbolic of how much we have encroached on their own territory.
Mark, given a chance the American Alligator is quite adaptable but eventually there may be changes and encroachments they can’t survive. I certainly found them more fascinating on this trip then ever before — it was an enjoyable trip.
Loved the gator series!
Steve, thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
#1 is great – it has this certain element of surprise, of tension, that immediately get the brain spinning in order to find out what’s there, what’s wrong. Works for me.
Markus, photo #1 was my picked composition in this post. The other two I included more for reference and journalistic reasons to provide a bit more explanation. Driving up to this scene was somewhat surreal. :-)