It seems as though if you’re going to be posting from the Everglades, at some point you need to include some alligators. It’s just expected. I guess I was spoiled years ago when I was living in Papua New Guinea. We’d ride in motorized dug out canoes along the Sepik River and see 18 foot crocodiles along the banks. They’d slither into the dark brown waters and you’d hope they didn’t appear anywhere near the canoe. Paddling the Oklawaha River in central Florida, we’d see them by the hundreds. They became so normal I almost didn’t see them anymore. This past year or two I decided I’d pay a little more attention, so here’s a few from the Everglades. Have you had a memorable encounter with an alligator or a crocodile?
nomadruss in words and photos 
Russ, was very ‘friendly’ with crocs when I hunted, shot and skinned them in D.R.Congo, then Zaire. Got about 12 per night, between 4-5 meters, then the nasty bit of skinning began. Sold last lot – 3 1/2 tons, in Paris. Wrote about it in my book ‘Life of Brian…in Africa’ on Amazon
Thanks for sharing that Brian, sounds like tales worth reading. I’m not one to shoot with a gun as much as with a camera, but it certainly sounds as though you were intimate with the creatures.
Russ, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, cameras were a no-no in many parts, as ‘security’ was a bit issue. Many of the places I visited were in war situations, so had to be very careful.
Cameras more dangerous than guns, picture that…
Love the shot with the babies on her back.
That was on the Turner River, a memorable morning…
Do the kids in the program get scared around the gators?
You know, we actually don’t see so many as we’re out along the coast so much. Otherwise, yeah, some are scared. Alligators want nothing more than to leave you alone though.
Looks almost surreal – the reflections of trees and the croc swimming its way through.
The Big Cypress Swamp is a great setting for alligators!
Love the picture with mama and her babies the back:) I’ve actually never seen a grown alligator ( they don’t tend to live in the northern areas that I love) so you are lucky to have seen so many. I have only seen a couple of small ones when we went into the Amazon for a few days from Manaus:)
Well, seeing gators in the Amazon certainly counts for something…
It was fun for sure, but the ones we saw were not more than 2 feet or so.
Beautiful animals.. It looks like sinosaurs still exist!
They definitely have that look!
What a fascinating place to visit! Not sure I’d want to be lost in the Everglades though! Excellent pictures. 🙂
Yeah, maybe not a good place to get lost…