Too close for comfort..... I need a bigger boat!

Louisiana Alligator

I had a heart racing experience today on the bayou.  Kayaking in a 10' plastic kayak and having a 8 to 10 foot alligator swim up close to me is not what I had planned for today. It's funny how vulnerable a person feels floating only a few inches off the water's surface. Of course rather than paddle away, I grabbed my camera and started shooting.  Got a few keepers before I decided it was best to paddle on in the opposite direction.  Enough excitement for one day.

Image was captured on Cane Bayou in Mandeville, LA, using a Canon Rebel T3i with 55-250mm lens.  Shot at 250mm, ISO 1600, 1/400 sec at f11.