North Carolina Alligator

[NCBobD]

I've made two previous trips up Cahooque Creek hoping to get a 'gator shot. They're amazingly shy for an animal that high up the food chain. It's a pretty paddle but you get little opportunity to photograph much. I always see waterfowl, but of course never close enough to get a shot. There's probably some landscape potential but I really haven't been in the mood for that. As a paddle it's about an hour until it pinches down to small to paddle... if you paddle at a leisurely pace. I never failed to see gators, just never get one to stay on the shore or surface long enough to get a shot. But I do have a stubborn streak, so I returned today with a slightly different plan.

I decided to paddle the creek this morning largely because the wind was up and, being protected, it seemed it'd be a more comfortable way to spend the morning. This time I planned to paddle to the end, turn around an basically drift back... nice and quietly. In order to make the return a little more pleasant I brought along a telescoping fishing rod and reel. I'd drift quietly and hopefully come up on a gator without spooking it. As I drifted around a bend in the creek I spotted the perfect shot. And it was a really big alligator, at least as long as my boat. I quickly set down my pole, reached for my camera and watched him sink below the surface. I hung around that area for a while hoping it'd resurface, but no joy. Back to fishing.

A little while later I hooked a nice little bass, landed him and returned him to the water. Then his little brother or sister. Then nothing. As I drifted along I spied another alligator. Much smaller than the earlier one but I had to trie. I got my camera out, fired a few shots and it sank below the surface. I hung around, it resurfaced and I fired a few more shots. Finally! A 'gator image!! Well, at least I hoped I got something useable.

Long story for a shot that's "ok" at best. But hey, it's a freaking alligator, my first from the kayak. The product of about 8 hours of paddling. As my friend Zack Arias always said, "you gotta start somewhere."

[jckegley]

Not a bad shot. I am glad you got enough eye detail to distinguish the pupil. I think that is important. Nice low angle too since you were in the kayak. The only nit pic I can say is it appears like the sun is a little harsh (not very early morning or dusk). Looks like some blown highlights on my laptop (it's always brighter on this dang laptop, haven't looked at my workstation). But I can attest that when in a kayak, it takes a while to get anywhere and sometimes the opportunities don't come until midday.

I still think a neat shot, especially considering gators are a little less populated in NC (their farthest north range)

[hisloveisunfailing]

I like the angle that you shot this from. How did you manage that? I love water level photos of alligators but I guess I never thought about how you go about taking them.