Young alligator hatchling (Alligator mississippiensis) suns on a sunken log in the Okefenokee Swamp. Mothers aggressively guard the nests when until the juveniles begin hunting on their own. American alligators were once threatened from hunting but with protections have recovered although hatchlings are vulnerable to predators, Georgia, United States of America

horizontal outdoors day daytime animal sunlight color colour sunny log warmth bright america colors colours submerged american reptile sunlit usa hatchling logs basking us reptiles us alligator side view looking away north america the states rivers copy space full length alligators gator gators american alligator selective focus animals animal themes wild animal wildlife animal theme outside nobody travel river one animal color image water united states united states of america wild animals full length non urban scene animals in the wild animal portrait animal portraits georgia ga colour image no one no people hatchlings the south brightly lit okefenokee national wildlife refuge alligator mississippiensis southern states without people american alligators okefenokee swamp wildlife photography crocodilians common alligator animal photography juvenile animals common alligators juvenile animal usa state of georgia georgia (united states) saint marys river okefenokee swamp (georgia) national wildlife refuges (okefenokee swamp)