American Alligator

American Alligator swimming with only its head partially above water.
American Alligator, Fort Worth Nature Preserve Marsh Boardwalk, Fort Worth, TX August 1, 2021
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Tamron 150-600 mm lens, 600 mm, ISO-3200, f/11, 1/800 sec.

This page is for the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). The representative example is from the Fort Worth Nature Preserve and is well known at the Marsh Boardwalk, occasionally sunning itself on a section of the old platform that is still standing.

The following pictures were all taken at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, TX.

Large American Alligator sunning itself in a grassy area near the water. Its mouth is partly open showing its teeth.
American Alligator, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, TX March 25, 2021
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with 18-135 mm lens, 85 mm, ISO-100, f/7.1, 1/250 sec.
American Alligator walking along the shore.
American Alligator, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, TX March 25, 2021
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with 18-135 mm lens, 135 mm, ISO-100, f/6.3, 1/250 sec.
A medium-sized American Alligator swimming completely submerged.
American Alligator, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, TX March 25, 2021
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with 18-135 mm lens, 69 mm, ISO-100, f/5.6, 1/125 sec.
American Alligator swimming with only its head partially above water. There is a ripple pattern to the water due to a light wind that helps obscure the animal.
American Alligator, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, TX March 25, 2021
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with 18-135 mm lens, 113 mm, ISO-125, f/5.6, 1/160 sec.
The large and medium-sized American Alligators swimming in shallow water near the shore.
American Alligator, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, TX March 25, 2021
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with 18-135 mm lens, 120 mm, ISO-100, f/7.1, 1/250 sec.
A young American Alligator swimming across the water.
American Alligator, Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX, July 24, 2022
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-400; f/11; 1/500 sec.
American Alligator sunning itself on the far side of a water-filled ditch.
American Alligator, Apopka Wildlife Drive, Apopka, FL December 3, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 420 mm; ISO-320; f/8; 1/800 sec.
American Alligator resting at the edge of the water near the reeds.
American Alligator, Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, Port Aransas, TX, February 22, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 420 mm; ISO-2000; f/8; 1/1000 sec. +1 Exposure Bias
American Alligator sunning itself on the near pond bank.
American Alligator, King Ranch, Kingsville, TX, February 23, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-2500; f/11; 1/1000 sec.
American Alligator swimming toward our side of the pond.
American Alligator, King Ranch, Kingsville, TX, February 23, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-3200; f/11; 1/1000 sec.
American Alligator sitting on the far edge of the pond.
American Alligator, King Ranch, Kingsville, TX, February 23, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-5000; f/10; 1/1000 sec.
American Alligator sunning itself on the near pond bank.
American Alligator, King Ranch, Kingsville, TX, February 23, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-2500; f/11; 1/1000 sec.
American Alligator swimming toward our side of the pond.
American Alligator, King Ranch, Kingsville, TX, February 23, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-3200; f/11; 1/1000 sec.
American Alligator sitting on the far edge of the pond.
American Alligator, King Ranch, Kingsville, TX, February 23, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-5000; f/10; 1/1000 sec.