Alligators - Photography and Paintography by Ray Bilcliff
Alligators of the Everglades.
Alligators. In the Florida Everglades, ten foot long alligators lie basking in the sun and the swampy heat, keeping one eye open for their next big meal. At night the swamp sometimes resounds with their mating roars and the ground trembles as they act out their mating rituals.
Alligators perform a very important function in the Florida Everglades. Studies of the alligator indicate that they contribute a great deal to the preservation of plant and animal life. Alligators keep the spotted garfish in check. Without control on the gar population, these fish would eat up all the valuable bass and bream, as well as other game fish.
American Alligators. The alligator contributes toward the preservation of living things by digging basin like holes in areas where the water table fluctuates greatly. In the Everglades, these "gator holes" constitute the deepest pools of water. During periods of drought they are the last to dry up and so provide a refuge for various fish, amphibians and reptiles. Once the drought passes, the creature life preserved in the "gator holes" can begin to multiply. These holes also supply food and water for Alligators and mammals.
The alligator is notorious for its bone crushing bites. In addition, the alligator has been described as a living fossil from the age of reptiles, having survived on earth for 200 million years.
Photographing The Alligators.
Photography Tips. Photographing alligators is a great experience, best done at dawn or sunset, but can be done all day as the alligator likes to lie basking in the sun. Do not get too close to an alligator they are dangerous and very unpredictable so a long zoom is needed at least a 300/500mm or longer. Slower shutter speeds can be used as the alligator does not move around very much.
Alligators. In the Florida Everglades, ten foot long alligators lie basking in the sun and the swampy heat, keeping one eye open for their next big meal. At night the swamp sometimes resounds with their mating roars and the ground trembles as they act out their mating rituals.
Alligators perform a very important function in the Florida Everglades. Studies of the alligator indicate that they contribute a great deal to the preservation of plant and animal life. Alligators keep the spotted garfish in check. Without control on the gar population, these fish would eat up all the valuable bass and bream, as well as other game fish.
American Alligators. The alligator contributes toward the preservation of living things by digging basin like holes in areas where the water table fluctuates greatly. In the Everglades, these "gator holes" constitute the deepest pools of water. During periods of drought they are the last to dry up and so provide a refuge for various fish, amphibians and reptiles. Once the drought passes, the creature life preserved in the "gator holes" can begin to multiply. These holes also supply food and water for Alligators and mammals.
The alligator is notorious for its bone crushing bites. In addition, the alligator has been described as a living fossil from the age of reptiles, having survived on earth for 200 million years.
Photographing The Alligators.
Photography Tips. Photographing alligators is a great experience, best done at dawn or sunset, but can be done all day as the alligator likes to lie basking in the sun. Do not get too close to an alligator they are dangerous and very unpredictable so a long zoom is needed at least a 300/500mm or longer. Slower shutter speeds can be used as the alligator does not move around very much.
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