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When the weather is just right, the local residents come out and bask on the bank, or even cross over the trail to lounge around in the grass. If you're this big, you don't have to do any tricks, or even move, and you'll still draw quite a crowd.The La Chua Trail stretches from a boardwalk near the Alachua Sink, and runs out into the surrounding prairie marsh and wetlands right along the water's edge. There's very little shade, no gates, fences, or any other barriers between you and the wildlife. American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisLa Chua TrailAlachua SinkPaynes Prairie Preserve State ParkAlachua County, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIM.40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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The plan is simple; 1. Camouflage yourself under a cleverly placed tree limb.2. Sleep off the afternoon.3. Wait for the next meal to come along.Judging from the bulge digesting down there, it's in no rush.American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisLa Chua TrailAlachua SinkPaynes Prairie Preserve State ParkAlachua County, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOLYMPUS M.75-300mm F4.8-6.7 II20 April 2017
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Apparently, research suggests that Alligators can divert blood from other organs to their digestive system, allowing them to consume oversize meals. This one looks like it couldn't eat another thing. American AlligatorChipola RiverJackson County, Florida, USAOlympus E-M10
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After a long day of basking, and practicing not being seen, this juvenile is ready for a night on the prowl.American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisOrange LakeAlachua County, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIIOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS Lens 12 July 2021
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The water along the La Chua Trail is fairly shallow away from the sink, but as soon they submerge, these gators disappear without a trace.American AlligatorLa Chua TrailPaynes Prairie Preserve State ParkAlachua County, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIM.40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R
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American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in captivity at Australia Zoo near Beerwah, Queensland, Australia. Photographed on 20 February 2010.Note the Easter Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) sitting on the tail of the alligator.
www.inaturalist.org/observations/30608
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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The last thing you want on the trail is a cranky gator, and no where to go.American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisLa Chua TrailAlachua SinkPaynes Prairie Preserve State ParkAlachua County, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOLYMPUS M.75-300mm F4.8-6.7 II
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Texas, United States
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Looks like this one's finally decided on a sharp right, or hard to starboard in alligator navigation parlance... From down here, it's easy to see just how agile they really are underwater. American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisAlexander Springs Recreation AreaOcala National ForestLake County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear
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Lisbon, Portugal
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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Luckily, it's not lunchtime, and your not on the menu, because if you were a small creature along the water's edge, watching that one swim away, the other one, that you didn't notice, is about to launch.American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisLa Chua TrailAlachua SinkPaynes Prairie Preserve State ParkAlachua County, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIM.40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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A juvenile alligator practices basking and camouflage techniques along the run in Alexander Springs. American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisAlexander Springs Recreation AreaOcala National ForestLake County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear
Phil's 1stPix on 500px
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For it's next trick, this Gator does a graceful flip, swims back and then disappears into the vegetation along the bank. I give it a 9.5, because it did touch the bottom.Alexander Springs Recreation AreaOcala National ForestLake County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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Watching this graceful gator, it's easy to see how they're perfectly suited for their environment and have been around for around 200 million years. Due to an impending storm, it got gloomy in the afternoon and I had the spring all to myself, or so I thought. While I was prowling the bank for a turtle I had just spotted, this one decided to come out to join me. Luckily, I spotted it first, and had time to turn on my light and move in close enough for some shots. Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala National Forest, Altoona Florida, USASeaLife DC1400Sea Dragon 1200 Photo/Video/Dive LightExplore: Oct 9, 2014 #93
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This gator that was floating just off the trail near the sink, and while I was fiddling with the camera and adjusting the tripod, it submerged, and then came up in a hurry. Whatever it had come across underwater was swallowed in an instant. I've stared at the blurry shots of the orange blob it came up with, at different angles, but never did solve the mystery of what it
was. American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisLa Chua TrailPaynes Prairie Preserve State ParkAlachua County, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIM.40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R
Phil's 1stPix on 500px
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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Harris Neck reserve, Georgia, USA