American Alligator

I've seen enough alligators now that I'm not quite as excited as I used to be. However, I still love to see them. In my January 2018 visit to Florida and southern Georgia I saw quite a few, including 20 in one morning at the Orlando Wetlands Park. Here are my favorite pictures from this most recent trip.

This scenery shot from Orlando Wetlands shows the broad expanse of the water there. Most of the gators I saw there were on land right at the edge of the water. 

The various trails had names. I particularly enjoyed the name "Alligator Alley."

This scenery shot from Circle B Bar Reserve shows the dike system that separates the water and provide places for the alligators to sun themselves. 

From Okefenokee NWR in Southern Georgia. This is a blackwater swamp and the floating leaves provide color and camouflage for the alligator. 

One of my favorite alligator photos (at Orlando Wetlands). I got down on the alligator's level, eye to eye. 

Swimming gator at Orlando Wetlands.

Also at Orlando Wetlands.

At Circle B Bar.

A close-up of this big guy's (or girl's) teeth.

I love the black water at Okefenokee and the reddish and yellowish leaves on the water. The yellow matches the yellow on the underside of the gator's head. 

This water is only about 18 inches deep. 

A very young (and small) gator at Circle B Bar.

Circle B Bar

Circle B Bar

Orlando Wetlands

Although I saw more gators at Orlando Wetlands, I liked the backdrops better at Circle B Bar and Okefenokee.