Larry Treadwell  

Sneaky Gator by Larry Treadwell

May 2023 - Sneaky Gator

About the Image(s)



NIKON D850 200-400mm lens @ 320mm, ISO 400, f8, 1/1600
Focal length 320mm

I was in the Everglades to photograph birds feeding their young and was sitting on the point of a berm that was about 8 wide. The rookery was about 75 with the nests located in mangrove plants 3-4 feet above the water. I had been there for about 90 minutes starting at just after daybreak when I noticed that the wind had picked up and was now blowing from behind and toward the rookery. Because of some heavy recent rains there was a great deal of broken foliage floating on the water surface. I decided I better leave because I did not like the manner in which the wind was pushing the floating foliage toward my position. I released my lens from the tripod and turned to stand up and leave when I discovered this little 6-7 foot visitor drifting toward my position. He was less than 15 feet away and was clearly using the foliage for cover in his stealthy approach. I apologize for not getting lower to really be at eye level but decided this was low enough. I managed one short burst ( I do love how fast my camera and lens acquire focus—thanks Nikon!) as I got up and walked away. I left my tripod behind and came back to get it 20 minutes later after the gator drifted by on his way to the rookery. Gators are well know to use cover to allow them to approach potential meals on land near water. I really wanted to show how well the gator can camouflage himself and thought it would make a good nature story. This image is close to full frame just a slight crop from the right side. I purposely positioned the gator closer to the bottom of the frame as I felt it made him appear closer to the viewer which is exactly how I saw him while on the berm. Note: the gator looks a little bit soft but I attribute this to the fact that he has just risen from the depths is still has a sheen of water on his hide. I have discovered this happens to bird as well if they have water still laying on their feathers there is a bit of softness that shows.

This round’s discussion is now closed!
13 comments posted

Michael Weatherford   Michael Weatherford
Hi Larry, this is one thing that worries me while kayaking in the swamp. Wouldn't want to run over a big one hidden like that. I think this is a great shot showing the critter in its natural environment, and maybe using some camouflage. Filled the frame and looks sharp to me. I like!   Posted: 05/02/2023 21:03:41
Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
Glad I was able to make it back to show this one. I'm not worried in my kayak even the bigger ones have never approached and I don't chase them. But sitting on the ground is more problematic. The floating foliage that the wind was moving was why I left. The water is really clear, and not too deep and I can see bottom---and I keep looking. I also watch the birds they will tell me when a gator is around. This was a lucky shot, hand held and in a controlled hurry. I didn't want to up set this guy. I've been shooting the everglades for decades I actually trained with naturalists and learned from them. For years I volunteered to go out with them and photograph their work and then gave them the images. In turn they gave me knowledge. I still go out with a few of them a several times a year but they are getting older and so am I so we aren't as active as we used to be. It has been some great times. The biggest take away from the experience has been-- don't be afraid to give away pictures and time. It pays off in the end.   Posted: 05/02/2023 21:53:58
Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
This shot makes me think of the PSA about not harming any wildlife while taking pictures I keep thinking---WHAT ABOUT WILDLIFE HARMING ME!!!   Posted: 05/02/2023 21:56:18
Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
(Groups 4 & 15 & 58 & 59 & 72)
Larry, not always the bullfighter (torero) wins......   Posted: 05/03/2023 10:03:38
Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
Very Clever. Well done!   Posted: 05/03/2023 11:06:21
Susan Cifaldi   Susan Cifaldi
When I was in Florida I was constantly on the lookout for these guys -- we don't see any up here in the desolation of western NY. I wasn't (un)fortunate enough to see one up close -- no matter how quietly I tried to sneak up on the ones sunning themselves on the trail, they would sense me coming and slink away. A good thing, I think, for both of us. :-)

Didn't notice whether the image was soft or not. I was too busy searching for the alligator's other eye (hidden in the foliage) It's definitely an image that holds the viewer's attention.   Posted: 05/03/2023 20:21:42
Bud Ralston   Bud Ralston
Larry: I confess I had to look hard to find the subject of your photo. It reminded me of a Navy SEAL approach and probably would have had the same outcome had you stayed around. Even though small, they have pretty sharp teeth that would put a good tear in your leg, trying to drag you back to the water. I learned playing golf in Florida not to pursue errant golf balls into water hazards for the same reason. The best photographs always tell a story, and yours speaks volumes. Well done.   Posted: 05/04/2023 18:00:28
Cindy Marple   Cindy Marple
Experience, and listening to your gut, pays off. I'm glad we don't have these guys to be concerned with around here.
Having just the head visible, while covered in the vegetation, really tells the story. I like the way you framed this, it does give more of a sensation of how close it is. Framing at the edges helps to create a sense of unease, which is important to the story.
It looks to me like the focus point is just in front of the eye. While having the closest thing sharp is good, it would be nice if the eye were also crisp, i.e. slightly more DoF - if you'd had the luxury of more time with the subject!   Posted: 05/09/2023 14:32:44
Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
Thanks for your thoughts Cindy. I agree that experience really pays off her. Studying your subjects not only is good for safety but understanding their behavior yields better shots. I'm really glad that you liked the framing I wanted the viewer to feel uneasy.
This photo almost made it to my trash bin just because of that eye issue. I thought that f8 would have provided enough DOF. What saved the image was I remembered Michael Nichols, a National Geographic photographer had a cover photo of a partly blurred Indian Elephant charging him. He said the elephant nearly attacked him but turned aside as he ducked behind a tree. He said sometimes the story is more important that a perfect technically sound image. Here I felt that the proximity of the gator, and what I felt was a clear story was more important. So I kept the shot. As for working with my model, I don't think he was too happy with the fee I was willing to pay.   Posted: 05/09/2023 14:55:30
Richard Matheny   Richard Matheny
Ah our beloved Alligator. The iconic animal of the south. Hear in South Carolina we see them all the time. I have them in my back yard and pass from water pond to pond through our yards. These guys can and do hurt people, so it pays to be very careful around them. I have found that the Gator I can see is not the one I am worried about. Most of the time they are like Black Bears, if they see you and hear you, they will leave they leave the area. I like the image. You are correct Larry, it's because of the story that really makes this a keeper. One of the things that I think helps is the angle of the gator as it approaches the shore. A straight on approach would not be as good.   Posted: 05/10/2023 10:42:19
Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
How right you are. We have them everywhere. Once I had one in my pool. And you are right if you see them they usually leave. I also agree this is all about the story. I think Bud's comment is great. Say he had to look hard to find the gator--that was exactly the point. I also agree that gators never look good straight on---you need that angle. Thanks for the comments.
  Posted: 05/10/2023 12:41:51
David Kepley   David Kepley
Larry,
What a great story! I'm surprised you left your tripod behind!! Like the others I was bothered by not being able to find his other eye. Also I fund the brightness of the leaves behind the gator to be distracting.   Posted: 05/13/2023 10:12:48
Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
I DID go back to get the tripod. It just seemed prudent to wait a bit and I knew he would not eat it.
As for the eye -- I wanted the eye to be hidden. That is what makes the story and it shows how the gator hides to fool his prey. In regard to the duckweed floating in the water---that is just the way the everglades look this time of year That stuff can carpet the swamps for miles. Nature does not have to be perfect, but I can see your point, maybe it is a distraction. Check out the image below and you can see how thick the duckweed can get. It is not a great image I just keep it to show the duckweed. It is not a good nature shot. When the water is covered like in this image that is when it is really dangerous because the gators are present but the water is not clear and you really can't see them when they are submerged. This is a good time to stay home and eat popcorn.   Posted: 05/13/2023 11:57:44
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