HERE BE DRAGONS

 

A monster crocodile basks on the banks of the Nile River in Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park. This was the biggest crocodile I've ever seen.

♜♜♜

Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, considered one of the most brutal despots of modern times, allegedly fed his political opponents to crocodiles. Poaching was rampant during his administration.

A crocodile basks along a river in South Africa's Kruger National Park. I didn't see many crocs here, but I still don't recommend going near the water.

An American alligator crosses a causeway at Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina. When I saw the gators crossing the road with the shifting tides, I planned accordingly. The next day, I was ready to photograph this one at eye level by lying flat on the ground as he climbed over the rocks. I wanted to get a unique perspective. This was my favorite photo of 2021.

Alligator Abbey Road. Good for him for using the crosswalk!

Alligators have vertical pupils like cat's eyes to see at night.

An alligator lurks in a blackwater swamp in southern Florida.