As winter sets in some of the locals will be in any sunny spot they can find. I have noticed we are of even less interest to them lately. Since they are cold blooded, and the swamps / marshes are cooling off, they sleep like a rock.

Of course there is always an exception.

In fairness I was standing facing the opposite direction photographing flocks of Spoonbills and he never moved, at all, for over an hour. For obvious reasons I did look over my shoulder a few times, but he might have been sleeping with his eyes open.
The following link will open a page where we photographed 50 – 60 alligators, at the same time…. Many Alligators.
I’d be a little distracted with my back to this fella! Great shot.
By now we know how much space to give them. Besides, if you don’t bother them it’s like we don’t exist. Not worth their time. The smaller ones slip away. But they do make great photos and stories 😀😀😀