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One of the local residents is getting his bask on while waiting for some boaters to happen by to gawk and point. It's one of those hot, humid, still afternoons where you wouldn't even expect it to put on a show...Alexander Springs Creek Alexander Springs Wilderness AreaOcala National ForestLake County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIM.40-150mm F4.0-5.6 RTiffen Circular Polarizer
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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Christmas, Florida, United States
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With record high water levels, it's a wonder this alligator was able to find a suitable spot to catch some rays at all.American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisSanta Fe RiverGilchrist County, FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIIOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS Lens 6 July 2021
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That's a great spot along the bank for an alligator to pop out and swim right by. It was a chance in a million to spot it further down the bank, where it slipped out into the water, and then follow it until it took a little rest along the bank. After hanging out with me for awhile, it decided to move on. Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala National Forest, Altoona Florida, USASeaLife DC1400Sea Dragon 1200 Photo/Video/Dive Light
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""Don't turn around... Don't turn around... Don't turn around." The good thing about being underwater, is that if you do wet 'em, no one can tell.We spotted this one right along the bank at about 10:00 am, in a spot where I've seen a few before. I'm not sure if it's the same one that came out a little later or not. This one looks bigger, but that might be because I'm too close.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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Photo taken by Craig ONeal
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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