Eye of an Alligator
High on an embankment, I followed this American Alligator slowly floating along a canal. I thought the water and reflections were pretty and added a nice touch.
American Alligator
The alligator slowed down to a stop. So I stopped too, and remained still in my safe spot. Good, I thought, now I can try some close-ups of its eye.
When I processed my photos, I was not expecting to find this….
Alligator’s Eye Reflecting Me #1
See me?
S/he started moving again, so again I slowly followed. I had no idea that I had captured my reflection in the alligator’s eye.
In this next photo, you can see a wooden road barrier I am behind.
Alligator’s Eye Reflecting Me #2
The alligator floated eventually into the sunlit water, overexposing the scene so I turned around and left, hoping I got some good close-ups. 😊
(photos take January 2020, Big Cypress National Preserve Park, Florida)
Photos by Donna 
There aren’t alligators here where I live, and they are really scary. I don’t think that would be able to stay at a needed distance to take a photo 🙂
No, we don’t mess with alligators, they are very dangerous. I always keep a distance, and most times I’m at the top of an embankment that drops off to a waterway, so the alligator doesn’t have a chance of climbing up and out. Now on land, whoa, you gotta give them their room. They can run up to 11 mph but it’s only in a short, straight spurt, then they’re done (they can swim up to 20 mph!). A rule I read while down in Florida stated if you’re going to run from an alligator, run in a zigzag (to the left a few steps, then turn sharply to the right for a few more steps, then repeat, zigzagging), do not run in a straight line from them. Alligators can not turn fast and you’ll make them lose their momentum in their chase. 🙂
Good to know. I hope not to have to run from an alligator though. Also I’m a bit like an alligator, can run only a short time and then I’m done and gasping 😊
Nice series Donna! But I thought you were “Taller”😊 ! Great series of images!
hee hee Wish I was! 😉 Thank you, Reed!
Great images, but I can think of safer ways to take your own photograph! 😉
Wow, cool shots, Donna, but kind of chilling at the same time!
Thank you, Eliza! When I downloaded them and found a sharp shots, I did a double-take. I’m pretty sure a shiver ran down my spine!
Brilliant, Donna. Absolutely brilliant!
Thank you very much!
Wow, Donna. What a surprise that must have been to see yourself as he saw you. Great shots!
Thank you, Susan! Boy, it was a surprise! Goes to show they are always watching us watching them. 😲
Amazing capture Donna, such a closssse shot, and what an interesting discovery to see your reflection in its eye :()
Thank you Ashley! It was a startling surprise to see me in its eye for sure! 😲
The alligator was most likely thinking, who’s this “boccato di cardinale”? Great shots, Donna. 🙂
He probably was, lol! Thank you, HJ! 😊
Awesome!
Thank you, Hien!
I am glad to see that you were safe distance from the alligator.
I wanted to point that out that I was very safe…..
‘cuz I’m not interested in taking any chance on being a wildlife critter’s meal.
Great capture!
Thank you, Tanya!
Quite the surprise, eh😊. Very nice!
Yes, it sure was lol…. Thanks Belinda!
Great article 😃😃. The eye reflection always surprises me
Thank you, Ted! A bit of a chill, but wow I was also impressed with myself lol.
Oh, I LOVE surprises like the one here… though I’m sure I wouldn’t have ventured so close to an alligator! 😀
Thank you, Gunta! I was at a distance, up on an embankment, with my long lens. I was very safe! But that doesn’t mean you can’t venture other areas and not have one crossing the road or your bike path every now and then. 😉
Nice to know how fast they go-I wouldn’t stand a chance. It would be a little daunting to see yourself reflected in its eye, but a nice close-up and can see that you are a good distance away.
Thank you, Jane! I’m glad I was looking at a photo of me in his eye and not standing there and seeing me, lol.
Stunning series, Donna!
Thank you very much!
Terrific macro shot, Donna!!
Thank you, Indira!!
Wow, neat reflection! He or she was watching you just as intently! I’m glad you were in a safe spot!
Thank you, Deborah! Fun stuff…..with safe social distancing! 😉
Lol! 😂
🤣
Excellent shots. I immediately saw your reflection.
The close-ups are extraordinary. You should contact National Geographic and sell some of your work.
Thank you, Vic! Awwww…..how nice for you to say that! 😊
I’m not kidding. I just saw a video on Twitter via a news article and this guy had news organizations and The Weather Channel asking if they could use his clip (a coyote chasing a roadrunner in Arizona…LOL!) Your focus and talent…National Geographic…Audubon Society…
😊
Awesome photos Donna! And what a bonus to discover you caught your reflection in its eye!
Thank you, Sue! Fun stuff…..from a safe distance!
Those are amazing shots. Well worth following him from a safe distance. 😊
Thank you, Irene! Fun stuff from a safe, social distance! 😉
Looks like you got really close. Not too close I hope. 😂 Your alligator is happy to be your model. Simply awesome, Donna. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you, Al! I kept my social distancing….and then some! 😉 😎
Yes Donna, I easily found you in the reflection in the gator’s eye. Thanks for sharing your photography as well your comments about safety around alligators.
Thank you, I enjoyed photographing such a dangerous animal, but always took extra precautions to make sure it was a friendly encounter, from a safe distance, and not the other way around.
Sweet! Love that reflection, Donna, as well as the close up of the eye.
Thank you, Ellen! I’m sure it was friendly, it kept winking at me. 😉 😅
Beautiful, mesmerizing, enchanting… it draws you in! William – “What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.” Psalms 104 The Message
Thank you, William! I know I was ‘wow’ing just seeing the scenes and trying to figure out where to start shooting before the compositions disappeared. I’ll not forget this!
great shots Donna!
Thank you, Wayne!
Great captures. The reflection in the first is nice. I don’t know … I think I’m glad we don’t have gators in Colorado!
Thank you, Denise! 😉