Hard to believe that the best alligator viewing can be done along the side of the road
Best alligator viewing in Florida
Where do you think the best alligator viewing in Florida is? Would you guess the Everglades? Big Cypress National Preserve? An alligator farm? A Florida lake? A Florida scenic river? How about a Florida roadside slough?
The best answer would be all the above. Alligators can be found in just about any body of water in the state. The first couple examples come as no surprise, but the fact that the best alligator viewing would be from the side of the road might shock those that have not driven the swampy southern roads of Florida.
Alligator showing off his pearly whites
Once visitors get south of Lake Okeechobee on U.S. 27 or south of Interstate 75 on Florida highway 29, there is a network of sloughs and canals that follow right along the roads. You can see hundreds of alligators out your car window while driving these scenic byways. Probably the best route is U.S. 41 through the Big Cypress National Preserve.
A large alligator with a submerged nose along a Florida roadside slough
While driving north from Collier-Seminole State Park toward Orlando, I stopped and had a look at this little slough located just north of U.S. 41 on State Route 29 near the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve. I found over 30 alligators along this small stretch of water alone. The alligators were of various sizes from 10 footers with menacing open mouths with razor pearly whites, to alligators of a more modest size, to even ones that were only a foot or two long.
Alligators of all sizes lined the roadside slough proving a roadside slough perhaps has the best alligator viewing
No need for hardcore adventure
This slough has no name as far as I know, but it is not unique. There are many similar stretches of water with plentiful alligators and birds in southern Florida. What is amazing is you do not have to get in a canoe and paddle, hire an airboat, or pursue any other type of adventure to be among these giant reptiles. Just keep your eyes peeled out the window in southern Florida and you will see more alligators than you can imagine.
Alligator rests along the side of a Florida roadside slough
Best alligator viewing – There were 20-30 alligators line up on this small slough on Florida Route 27
Always be aware of your surroundings
If you do choose to get out of the car, be aware of your surroundings. It can be easy to start snapping away and focusing through your camera and not remembering that you are parked along a busy stretch of highway. Be careful of cars and semis when taking pictures along the side of the road.
Small gators hide in the vegetation near the shore
Small alligator patrols the edge of the vegetation
Alligator heads were everywhere on this Florida roadside slough
Also, don’t forget to watch out for the very thing you are photographing. I became engrossed with alligators on the other side of the slough and walked along the edge of a guardrail about 20 feet from the edge of the water. I realized I was getting close to the water, and I looked down and saw a bunch of smaller alligators on the shore closest to me.
I almost stepped on this alligator’s tail – Fortunately, he had his mouth full with a dead fish, but remember not to forget where you are
Best alligator viewing – This alligator was a real dead fish
I then looked back and realized I almost stepped on the tail of three foot alligator who who was partially beneath the rail I was walking along. Fortunately, he had his mouth occupied with a dead fish, and he was quite small. Although alligators normally do not harm people, they have been known to ambush people if they walk too close to the water. There are also poisonous snakes about, so once again: be aware of your surroundings.
TT
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Great photos – but don’t become lunch please! We love your blogs here way too much! 😛
Ian recently posted..Top Things To Do In Kangaroo Island
Thanks Ian. One thing I always preach is to be aware of your surroundings. I failed on this occasion, but survived to have a lesson reinforced.
You have got some really great pictures of Alligator! I visited a forest town here in India recently, but couldn’t capture such great close-ups.
Renuka recently posted..Solo Travel – 10 Tips For A Smooth Trip
Thanks Renuka,
Although I don’t have a superb camera, I do have a nice zoom on my digital camera that zooms in at 48 times from normal, so it is great for birds and animals as long as they sit still.
Amazing shots Ted. I was wondering do they harm people until i read that last bit.
Jeff recently posted..10 Tips to Save Money While Traveling
They rarely attack, but there are so many alligators and so many people in Florida, that conflicts are bound to occur.
Awesome photos Ted. You have got some really excellent images of Alligator! I frequented a woodlands city here in Florida lately, but could not catch such excellent close-ups. Thanks for sharing your great experience.
Thank you Sally,
This is why the roadside gators in south Florida are the best. In lakes they can be hard to find, but along the roads down south they just bask in the sun right out in the open.
the alligator was a real dead fish??? really? hahaha.. well i wouldn’t wanna step on his tail. like ever! Full mouth or otherwise! 😛 Very cool shots. well done Ted!
ciki recently posted..The Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc & Seafood Tasting Trail
Thanks Ciki,
Yea, the gator might decide a live leg is better than a dead fish 🙂
Awesome photos! I haven’t ever seen an alligator up close, though I saw a ton of crocs in Africa. I would love this!
Erin – The World Wanderer recently posted..An Adults Only Getaway to Washington DC.
I have seen a few crocs in southern Florida and in Costa Rica, but never the real big ones in Africa and Australia.
Because of my absolute terror of snakes that somewhat includes gators, I still have shivers shooting down my back after reading of you almost stepping on that tail. Florida is a beautiful state. You’ve captured the non-beach side of it well. I’m just not sure I’d leave the car!
Trips By Lance recently posted..48 Hours in Memphis
I hate to tell you then that about a half hour before taking these pictures, I almost stepped on a water moccasin. It was an adventurous afternoon.