How to capture amd Alligator's image

[Fabs Forns]

Do not try this at home :D

Alfred wants an extreme close-up. This one was quite comfortable with the distance, and it was not mating season, when they get very territorial.

Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park.
D200, 200-400/4 plus 1.7X
wide open, iso 800

[Sven Bernert]

I assume the one without camera is the crocodile? :confused:

;)

Great capture!

Sven

[James Shadle]

This is no big deal.
We use Al as 'gator bait all of the time.
You really can't tell to look at him, but Al is pretty nimble!
James

PS Don't try this on Turner River Road in the Big Cypress Swamp!

[Gayle Clement]

This is wonderful, Fabs. Even is it wasn't mating season, I'll bet this had you a bit nervous.

[Mike McCarthy]

Cool. Nice capture. You know...when alligator shooting....

ALWAYS invite your friends you can easily out run. Usually makes for safe shooting and some memorable shots. *-)

[George DeCamp]

The new Crocodile Hunter.

[Maxis Gamez]

It only takes two seconds to get that Gator all over you!! mmmmm..... Not thanks! I love nature but not inside of a stomach.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

I always knew Alfred was brave but not that brave. Wonderful timing Fabs !!!

[Jim Poor]

Wow! How much of this is image compression from the focal length and how much is just plain nuts? :D Who is on the tripod on the left?

What size lens is AL using there (I thought the BB was only good over 300mm) and where is the resulting image? :D Love to see it.

[Michael Lloyd]

It only takes two seconds to get that Gator all over you!! mmmmm..... Not thanks! I love nature but not inside of a stomach.


I've seen one cover about 15 feet in a second. Uphill at that. Momma didn't like it when a jogger leaned toward her while her babies were around her. Prior to seeing that I would have taken the shot that Al took with no hesitation (by the way, I'll bet that's a killer shot)

The problem with alligators is that they have a little pea brain that's programmed to (A) eat and (B) protect. You never know when the neurons are going to line up just right to cause them to "launch". Thankfully in this case they didn't :D

[David Lowell]

Al's resultant photograph was in one of the forums earlier today, but I cannot find it now? Not sure if it were taken down or I am extremely poor at searching!

OOPS - found it - http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1709

[Judd Patterson]

Love it!! Great to see Alfred in action...anything (almost) for the image. :)

[Gus Cobos]

Very brave of you Al. If it was me, I would shot him from behind the safety rail at Meto Zoo...:D What focal length were you using?

Gus...:cool: