# 0403

     I wanted some special images for the Kid's Page section of the site so I asked some of our younger viewers what kind of animals they would like to see. I got the usual answers such as Lions, Tigers, Elephants, Monkeys, Giraffes, Snakes, etc.  What would be interesting I thought, would be to photograph examples of local wildlife in their natural environment. Mississippi has a large number of Alligators that can be easily found especially along the pearl river and Jackson Reservoir North of highway 43.

     The best light for photography is early morning and late evening when the contrast is low and the shadows long. I was at waters edge at first light but no Alligators. After 30 minutes or so the ducks began to move into the area and began feeding. Suddenly the calm water, which was no deeper than three or four feet, began to develop small waves indicating that something underwater was moving toward the feeding young ducks. Suddenly the young ducks flapped their wings and took off. It was at this time that I caught my first glimpse of a young gator I named Max. If it the young gator was a male then the name Max would sound masculine and if the gator was female then Max could be a nick name for Maxine.

     I prepared my camera and took several images of Max. By the way I used a 200 mm lens, which is a long lens that allowed me to stay a safe distance from the small gator. I still got into trouble when I arrived home and my wife saw the images of Max. 

     Based upon what we have read only two species of Alligator exist. The "Mississipiensis" which lives primarily in the rivers and swamps of the southeastern United States and the "Sinensis" which lives around the basin of the Yangtze River in China. The larger of the species lives in the United States and can reach lengths of 20 feet or longer. Alligators feed on fish, frogs, snakes, turtles, birds and mammals. Mother Alligators build a nest of mud and water plants before laying between 25 and 60 eggs. The eggs are then covered with mud until they hatch. The mother stays close to her eggs until they hatch which is about 60 days later. The mother Alligator cares for her young by carrying them in her mouth or by leading them the first year of their life.

     Alligator are very dangerous. Never attempt to feed Alligators and if you see one leave the area at once. The safest way to see Alligators is at the local zoo. Now the next time your parents take you to the zoo you can tell them what you have learned about Alligators.

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