Tom Buckard
July 2025 - RUN!
About the Image(s)
All I could think about when I saw this big Gator checking us out was run. He never took his eyes off of us. Even though we were on a little bridge you wonder how high a predator like this could climb or jump.
Image taken with a Nikon D850, 7:02 AM, Aperture priority, Speed 1/100th of a sec, Focal Length 200mm, F/7.1, Lens was an Nikkor 200-500mm.
13 comments posted
Tom,
I'm with you regarding looking at such a beast. This image reminds me of the Florida photographer who photographs these things in the water lens to snout (Clyde Butcher). I think the message is he doesn't fear these things and perhaps we shouldn't. Personally, I'd have no temptation to walk up to that guy. No thanks!
Great composition. It's eyes are definitely fixed on the viewer leaving no doubt where it's attention is. Great depth of field and nicely sharp. Excellent! Posted: 07/02/2025 18:07:38
I'm with you regarding looking at such a beast. This image reminds me of the Florida photographer who photographs these things in the water lens to snout (Clyde Butcher). I think the message is he doesn't fear these things and perhaps we shouldn't. Personally, I'd have no temptation to walk up to that guy. No thanks!
Great composition. It's eyes are definitely fixed on the viewer leaving no doubt where it's attention is. Great depth of field and nicely sharp. Excellent! Posted: 07/02/2025 18:07:38
Thank you for your comments. I'm with you! Gator are pure predators! I have had the pleasure to talk to Clyde Butcher many times. There is no way in hell that I would go on one of his swamp walks in four feet of water with all those gators and snakes!!! Posted: 07/03/2025 12:06:27
I think it's great that you've had opportunity to talk with Clyde Butcher. I expect he must have quite a personality and a wealth of interesting story's. I would think the snakes would be the more frightening threat. Between the poisonous and large constrictors slithering around the waters I wouldn't want to be on the water in a small boat much less in it! Posted: 07/03/2025 15:27:53
This is an apex predator. It earned its place over a very long time of dominating its territory. I am definately glued to its eyes. I sure would not get close to it. I'd been shotting even a longer focal length from farther away. Those are nice bright white teeth. I heard that gators are very fast in a straight line. I am not going to test that out. You evoked emotion form me. That means the image is a success. Posted: 07/06/2025 23:23:22
Richard, thank you for your comments. I have had several close encounter in Florida and try and give all gators a wide birth. My parents years back had a home on Sanibel and one night my wife and I were going out to dinner when all of a sudden a 12 footer came out of a gully in front of us. We hit him and the car just about jumped off of the road. I looked back and he didn't even miss a beat crossing the road and into a swamp. Scared us to death. Posted: 07/07/2025 23:48:48
Amazing photograph. I feel like I am standing only a few feet away and may become the croc's next meal. I can sense the danger in the situation. Well done. Posted: 07/08/2025 14:28:02
Stewart, thank you for comments. Thank goodness for telephoto lenses. We have had many close encounters with gators and I have a deep respect for them. Posted: 07/08/2025 23:48:26
This is a great photo. a keeper to send over my signature line at work. Looks like he is posing.
Posted: 07/08/2025 18:45:58
Posted: 07/08/2025 18:45:58
Thank you for your comments Bridget. He does look like he was posing but I know one thing for sure is that he has one thing on his mind and that is DINNER! Posted: 07/08/2025 23:51:14
Typical from you..a great image. I know I couldn't run fast enough in the other direction if he decided to make a move. Posted: 07/15/2025 12:29:01
Bev, thank you for your comment. Years ago my parents used to live on Sanibel and I can remember signs that said if a gator chases you run in a zig zag direction away from them. They say they can run (and I have seen them) very fast for short distances straight line but not turn. I wouldn't want to find out! Posted: 07/15/2025 12:38:48
He is definitely sizing you up Tom. Yikes is he scary. I have seen them on the golf courses in Alabama and keep my distance. I would become a great zig zagger for sure. Great photo!!! Posted: 07/27/2025 23:46:09
Thanks Jamie, this gator certainly was big and intimidating. This one was probably a thousand pounds. Photographers beware for sure! Posted: 07/28/2025 11:47:30