WildView™

May 9, 2016

Gators in the ‘Glades

- as seen by -

Ari Fishkind

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We visited the Florida Everglades in January 2016 during an unusually warm and dry winter. Safely ensconced in a swamp boat, we had gators (Alligator mississippiensis) on our mind but not yet in our viewfinders.

Our intrepid guide cautioned that the morning chill and mist would likely keep alligators hidden, but we had faith. Sure, I had seen them in zoos, but this was in the wild.

My son Marc spotted it first. This alligator was more visible and less skittish than the ones we glimpsed earlier. Its scutes blended with the gently undulating current. His hypnotic eyes were just above the waterline watching, no doubt, for his next meal. My camera stealthily bagged the image for later inspection.

It was my first real brush with a wild American alligator, and I was not disappointed.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This photo was chosen as one of our top submissions from our Wild View It’s All Black and White Assignment.

Nikon P900

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