'Gator
A wild alligator, close up, that's all.
A wild alligator, close up, that's all.
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Dec, 2019Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photograph at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, which is across the river from Savannah in South Carolina. It's a well known birding and alligator watching site. Since the main loop was closed for new year's we walked along the Tupelo trail to the north.Time
Mid afternoon. He lay in the middle of the trail, and had been courting another alligator who was in the swamp. She didn't particularly like him and made the low rumble in the water to tell him what she thought about his company. I think he was a bit stunned at the rejection and was thinking about what to do next. We kept our distance - after all these are ambush predators - and my telephoto lens brought him into sharp focus closeup.Lighting
Cloudy diffuse daylight on a winter afternoon. The lighting wouldn't have been as good on a sunny day.Equipment
This was shot with a Sony A7III using the Sony FE 200-600 G mm at full zoom.Inspiration
I love wildlife, and seized the opportunity to get a closeup of a sleepy 'gator. My wife and I (hence the we) specifically planned to visit this wildlife refuge because we know it's one of the better ones in our general area.Editing
Slight adjustment in contrast and saturation with Darktable.In my camera bag
Sony A7III with a tamaron 28-70mm is my standard setup. When photographing animals I use the Sony 200-600 telephoto. I will carry a SamYang 85mm lens for portraits and low light work. I am scrupulous about dust and carry a puffer to dust everything off before, during, and after a lens change. Depending on circumstances I may carry a noname tripod or a monopod. I have a platypod ultra with pan head that I think will be useful. My goal is to travel light so I can get back into the county and away from the crowds.Feedback
Patience, keep your gear light, and be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities. Travel out of the main season. It's important to literally take "the road less traveled" as that's where the wildlife hangs out. Alligators are a great deal slower in the cool, but still dangerous, so be careful. As they say in real estate, "location, location, location." So scout out good places and visit them at multiple times of the year.
