American Alligator, North Carolina Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores, NC

Ah, the challenges of shooting pictures at an aquarium! Light (or rather, the lack thereof), distortions, water, glass, reflections, constantly-moving creatures: it’s both a dream and a nightmare. An aquarium provides endless practice and is a great way to hone your craft. Besides, the children will want to see pictures of those dreamy jellyfish six months from now, and daddy is loath to disappoint them.

This alligator cooperated and stayed still long enough for me to set up the shot. I am struck by the way this picture captures the beauty of danger. The gator’s fearful symmetry—its brutal power hidden behind a placid façade—is almost mesmerizing.

If you are not familiar with Mary Oliver’s “Alligator Poem,” I highly recommend seeking it out. That text lives at the nexus of beauty, danger, nature, and vulnerability. She uses the threat of an alligator as a catalyst for personal transformation—altering the way she views the world around her.

More aquarium photos to come…