This big gator is at Sawgrass Park, about 15 min. or so drive from my house in St. Petersburg. She's been hanging out in the same area just under the boardwalk through the swamp for at least a week, others at the park say she's nesting. Tell my mother not to worry, this was taken with a telephoto and teleconverter so I wasn't nearly as close as it seems. It's very cool she's so close for those like me that appreciate how spectacular she is, but not very cool how she's treated by others. In the photo below you can see some of the garbage in the water right next to her. Although i didn't see anyone throw this stuff in (a couple water bottles, a McDonalds cup, an ink pen, and a pair, yes both, of flip flops are floating near her), I would guess these were thrown in near her to see a reaction or check if she's real. We were at the park a few days earlier and this trash was not there. I guess they didn't think of sitting still for a whole five minutes to see her nostrils move when she breathes or to watch how her eyes seem to flatten into her massive head when she closes them. I'd guess she's mybe 7 or 8 ft. long.
