These shots are as much a story as interesting photographs.

To start, earlier I watched one the big locals make a statement. A shot is below.

I had moved on and was watching a smaller Alligator come up from under water, look around, and sink back down. Just a little different behavior.

When I turned back I noticed the big guy had moved and was now circling a nesting tree. Above an adult was feeding young and it was loud enough to get the Alligators attention.

Above, he gave up and moved away, slightly in my direction, heading towards the bank.

In a moment he picked up speed and changed course…more towards my spot.

Now it was obvious. Click to enlarge the above and you can see where he is heading.

In the image above we are as close as my lens will focus. All that’s left is for him to climb out of the water. For the record; he was not going to cause any problem. It was however a deliberate move to claim this particular spot.

The last image is of the big local sitting off the bank, exactly where he wanted to be.

Why? Simple really. The smaller Alligator had raised ‘her’ head up again near me. It’s also the beginning of May. This is the start of mating season. The big guy wanted to be near ‘her’ and I was in the way.

I got it, and moved off in search of something easier to shoot.