American Alligator at J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife RefugeAn American Alligator at J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge – Nikon D70, handheld, f5, 1/60, Nikkor 70-300mm without VR at 220mm, natural light, not baited

While going through some old files I came across this image of an American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) that I took in 2007 at J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and realized that I have never posted any of my Alligator images on my blog or in my photo galleries so I am rectifying that situation. I laid down on a small boardwalk to get this image and I am glad the gator didn’t start swimming towards me or I might have had wet pants without going into the water. I am not afraid of many animals but I do have a very healthy respect for Alligators.

Despite my being nervous around Alligators I do find them fascinating because they are walking, eating living fossils and  first appeared during the Oligocene epoch about 37 million years ago. I also like their cat-like eyes.

Mia