Prowler
Gators don't sun on the banks much this time of year because the water temperature is high enough to do the job. So they mostly hang around with just eyes and nostrils protruding out of the water unless they are on the prowl for food or romance or territorial claim. This fairly large bull maintained a line parallel to my kayak for a good distance and I'm pretty sure he wasn't pursuing romance. On Horsepen Bayou.
I should note that this gator is in very shallow water. If he displayed that much of his body in deeper water it would be a very aggressive posture. In this case I suspect he was just showing that he wasn't concerned about my presence in the area. He was between me and a Least Bittern I was tracking and I wasn't about to challenge him for closer access. Eventually he moved away into deeper water and I got my bird shot.
Prowler
Gators don't sun on the banks much this time of year because the water temperature is high enough to do the job. So they mostly hang around with just eyes and nostrils protruding out of the water unless they are on the prowl for food or romance or territorial claim. This fairly large bull maintained a line parallel to my kayak for a good distance and I'm pretty sure he wasn't pursuing romance. On Horsepen Bayou.
I should note that this gator is in very shallow water. If he displayed that much of his body in deeper water it would be a very aggressive posture. In this case I suspect he was just showing that he wasn't concerned about my presence in the area. He was between me and a Least Bittern I was tracking and I wasn't about to challenge him for closer access. Eventually he moved away into deeper water and I got my bird shot.