Kids & Alligators
Two weekends ago I was out in the Everglades doing a photo shoot. Now, alligators are abundant in this area, so one needs to be careful about their surroundings and make sure to keep safe distances from areas in which alligators may reside. The models and I noticed a family, fishing at the edge next to a canal where alligators are known to be at. The models and I were shocked to see children standing directly on the shore line, also holding tiny fishing poles. Just wow.
The following weekend I took a good friend of mine to the everglades to do some scouting with me. What I found particularly frightening was that we found a medium sized alligator resting directly on the grounds where this family was fishing, just last weekend.

Is it a cultural thing?
I then began to think about the family. They did look pretty ethnic to me. I wonder if they were some local tribe, like Miccosukee or another like it. They could have been of Hispanic descent too. If they were indeed from a tribe, then could it be that they are just teaching the kids a lesson? To perhaps not fear your surroundings? Be one with nature?.....still plain stupid to me though. :( Who would, despite any cultural differences, place 6-9 yr old kids near these waters.
Small video clip of us finding this alligator. She was camera shy. I was giving her some driving lessons. "Yeah. He gave me some driving lessons, right in the middle of the freakin everglades!!!". That's win and more interesting than learning in a boring abandoned parking lot!







