Water Dance

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 24, 201198 views10 comments

While bellowing(to attract females and ward off other bull gators) the gator's body armor bones shake, making the water dance. In this image the girlfreinds gather to admire their champion.

Nikon 70-200 x1.4 f/16 1/90

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 24, 2011 at 12:29 PM

I really like the story this one tells Wayne. Not sure I have ever seen this behavior captured here on NPN. Nice work!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on April 24, 2011 at 3:28 PM

Your explanation really adds to the image. It tells the story well.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on April 24, 2011 at 4:17 PM

Love the dark setting and the sparking eyes ! While the text adds context, the image by itself showcases the bellowing behaviour well.
If you get another chance, it might be fun experimenting with different shutter speeds on the splashing water.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 24, 2011 at 8:09 PM

I like the bit of water action, the mystery of the dark setting, the view of those smiling gator faces and the interesting water reflections. Good one!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 24, 2011 at 8:31 PM

Excellent behavioral image Wayne, I've never seen this myself.
And look at all those doting female admirers!

Very nice job under these less than favorable shooting conditions.
Well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on April 25, 2011 at 12:34 AM

Looks like some really tough shooting conditions but you did a great job of capturing the bouncing off the back. I like the way the two groupies are watching the show.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Keshav Kumar on April 25, 2011 at 11:46 AM

I am with Lon on this. While this is certainly a great story teller image, another with little variations in shutter speed may make it stand out even more. The puffed up face stands out well.

Registered on June 3, 2008, 16 Posts, 42 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 25, 2011 at 9:33 PM

I've seen this in nature videos but never seen a photograph of it - the other's certainly look like they are loving the show!

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on April 26, 2011 at 12:41 AM

Wonderful behavioral shot Wayne :^)

Only thing I can think of that might possibly have made this an even better capture is if you'd gone the extra mile by entering the water, which would have probably afforded you an even better eye-level point of view ...... OK, jus' playin' witcha' once again my friend - LOL ;^)

If this were mine I would seriously consider sending it to related wildlife magazines and journals. Very well done indeed :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on April 26, 2011 at 4:41 PM

Wayne, I like the colors and the light you captured, as well as the particular behavior. The female in FG looks a little bit annoyed as if she was thinking "Here we go again: new year same scene!!!"

Cheers, Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments