American Alligator - Mating Behavior (bellowing)

[David Ornstein]

Captive (St. Augustine Alligator Farm)
~10' male

[John Blumenkamp]

Hi David... I like the close-up and pose. Amazing creature and behavior to see... how close were you? I'd be curious to know your focal length, etc. I like the color/reflection in the upper right portion of the frame too.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi David Good looking gator !!! I like how you got the head out of the water displaying, best images are tight like this or going wide and showing the entire animal Looks like he is all in shade with a great reflection for the trees !!!

... btw the best place for the behavior is as you walk into the swamp to the left, water is shallow and enhances the water vibrating upwards !!! Neat !!!

.... John this link will give you a clue as to the distance, was posted in Travel http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=62113

[Todd Frost]

Nice portrait. Love the bg color in the water. TFS
Todd

[Steve Canuel]

Nice colors in the water and shiny texture on the gator. Would've liked to see some dancing water off the back.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I find the distance information displayed in Lightroom. My 1D II doesn't show the distance info, but the Mark IV seems to capture it. Which camera, lens, shutter speed etc did you use?

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[David Ornstein]

Thanks - I was using a Canon 400mm DO on a 1D Mk iii (handheld) from about 30 feet.

[David Ornstein]

Thanks Alfred. I'll remember that tip about the shallows!

[David Ornstein]

Thanks Todd. I wish I knew how to make the water look like that "on demand!"

[David Ornstein]

Thanks - See Alfred Forns' comment -- Shallower water would probably have given the effect you mention.

[David Ornstein]

Here's the EXIF from LR2: EOS-1D Mk III, 400mm f/4 DO lens (handheld), f/5.6 @ 1/500 sec, bias -1 EV, ISO 800, distance 10.5 m
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