Florida photographer captures alligator swimming in Gulf

A Tallahassee photographer was staking out the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge wetlands, ready to catch a glimpse of the bald eagles, when one thing else caught his eye.

While close to the outdated pier and lighthouse, David Heath watched as what he estimated to be a 6-foot alligator slowly swam up and down the Apalachee Bay shoreline looking for his subsequent meal.

“I photograph gators a lot, but this was different,” Heath mentioned.

Fishermen have been casting strains a methods away from the reptile, and birds flocked alongside posts protruding from the water, unbothered by the gator lurking close by.

But Heath relished the sight.

He’s seen a gator out within the open water earlier than, however “it’s rare.”

Alligators are recognized to often go to the seashore, significantly when there are brackish waterways or rivers close by that feed into the Gulf. But they will solely tolerate saltwater for brief intervals of time, as they’re primarily freshwater reptiles, residing in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.

“I was fortunate I had my camera with me this time,” he mentioned. “You go down thousands of times, but every now and again, you get something unusual.”

Be cautious swimming! The twenty most alligator-infested lakes in Florida

Due to the persisting drought, lots of the ponds on the wildlife refuge are dried up, Heath mentioned, however he does not essentially assume the gator took to the ocean due to the shortage of pond choices.

“But you never know. I never asked him,” Heath mentioned with a chuckle.

Elena Barrera could be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.