Young Alligator in the Mangroves, Lake Maggiore, St. Petersburg, Florida July 2020

I stood at the edge of the lake for several minutes, surveying the area, hoping to spot wildlife on a hot summer afternoon. I didn’t notice this young alligator in the nearby shallows until it blinked.

The dappled light, submerged leaves, and its cryptic coloration served as very effective camouflage. While not a sharp, distinctive image of the animal, I rather like how the image resembles a painting.