alexkaufmanlong

Gator eye.JPG

Male gator at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Apopka, FL.

Male gator at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Apopka, FL.
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NIKON D5000

settings

Aperture 80/10 ISO 400 Shutter 10/1250 Focal Length 2000/10

upload_date

Oct, 2021

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180

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo back in early September 2021 at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Apopka, FL. In the early 20th century, farmers in the area used pesticides & other harmful chemicals to protect their crops. The chemicals seeped into the lake which caused it to become polluted. St. Johns Water Management took control of the land along the lake's north shore as part of a conservation effort to restore & clean up the lake. Since 2015 the driving trail is open to the public on weekends & federal holidays. There are other public parks & trails around the lake. It's the 3rd or 4th largest lake in the state, located between Orange & Lake counties in central Florida. The water comes from a natural spring southwest of the lake.

Time

This was taken early in the morning just after sunrise. This alligator was about 2-3 yards away from me just floating. There was a fence between us. Estimating the distance from the nostrils to the eyes I'd say this one was anywhere between 6-8 feet in length. Measuring the distance (in inches) from the nose to eyes can give you a rough estimate of a gator's body length (in feet). I was at ground-level because it was the best angle for the shot.

Lighting

I used natural lighting from the sun. This was in the early morning so the sun was at a relatively low angle. This created that golden color on the gator's eye which allowed for more detail. The pupil is well defined in the photo as you can see. Their eyes have what's called a third eyelid, a reflective & protective layer which allows them to see underwater & at night. You can spot them in the dark with a flashlight: the light will reflect.

Equipment

I took this photo using a Nikon d5000 camera with a DX 55-200mm telescopic lens. I typically use a Vivid Color setting. That usually shows the best detail. No flash was needed. I just used the natural lighting from the sun.

Inspiration

I love photoing wildlife as a hobby. Alligators are my favorite animals to photo. What attracts me to them is their power & strength. This is a species that dates back millions of years. They are a symbol of perseverance. Lake Apopka is home to 1 of Florida's largest alligator populations. To me wildlife/nature photography tells the story of the Earth & how we can help give back to it. When I see an animal/insect/plant I'm not familiar with, I do research or consult with others (Facebook groups, smartphone apps, internet, etc).

Editing

The only editing I did was cropping. Like most digital cameras, my Nikon has editing features already included. I cropped this photo immediately after I took it using the crop feature in my camera.

In my camera bag

I have 2 lens attachments for my camera. 1 is a wide lens which I use for landscape shots like sunrises/sunsets or skylines. The other is the telescopic lens which I use the most. It's perfect for close-ups & macro shots (ex: this photo or even insect photos).

Feedback

Take multiple photos of your subjects because you may like some more than others. Learn about your camera's features. I learned mine by reading manuals, watching videos, & just playing around with it. For wildlife/nature photographers be aware of your surroundings. I always have my safety and the safety of the animals in mind. Ask yourself what inspires you or what motivates you. For some people their camera is their escape from reality, a time to forget their problems. I have issues with stress. My camera is my therapy when I want to be away from everyone.

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alexkaufmanlong

alexkaufmanlong

Gator eye.JPG

Male gator at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Apopka, FL.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow alexkaufmanlong

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