Northern Territory 2003-4 (8 images)
Signs like these are not uncommon in the Northern Territory. It’s a reminder of the dangers you face when you cross the threshold into areas where nature rules and man may not necessarily be at the top of the food chain.
If you live in Australia, it is not unusual to hear in the news on a semi-regular basis about deaths caused by shark attacks and crocodile attacks. Actually there was a death last week from a shark attack. It’s a real danger to be aware of, although if you’re not from Australia, you may be more familiar with the more light-hearted side of it from Crocdile Dundee or the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.
You have been warned.
Just in case you’ve forgotten.
Never smile at a crocodile
Never smile at a crocodile
No, you can’t get friendly with a crocodile
Don’t be taken in by his welcome grin
He’s imagining how well you’d fit within his skin
Never Smile at a Crocodile is a song with music by Frank Churchill and lyrics by Jack Lawrence.
You looking at me?
Where’s breakfast?
Could this really be a blog from Australia without having mentioned crocodiles at some point? 🙂
I’m hungry
These are just some photos from the days when I got my first digital camera, a 2MP Canon Ixus and when I had no idea what the difference between RAW and JPEG was. These are jpeg shots I’ve been able to refresh using modern software. The first post I did about the Northern territory was about the wonders of the natural rock formations of the area .
All the crocodiles you see in this post were photographed in the wild. No crocodiles or wood dragons were hurt in the taking of these photos.
Oh goody, here comes my dessert
This last crocodile had been caught on the cattle station I was at, about 2 days before I arrived. It was a bit too close to the homestead so the men caught it and built an enclosure for. Armed with a torch I went to look at it at night. After a while it snapped at me. When necessary, dragons really can fly.
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
And now we put on the telephoto lens and shoot from a very safe distance!!! Thanks for sharing these images
Sage advice. Thank you. 🙂
Beautiful pictures nevertheless I wouldn’t want to be close by 🙂
Thanks. Some things are better left alone. 🙂
You seemed so close to the crocs. Obviously you had a good visit up to the NT and came back in one piece. Very good shots, I can see the crocs’ evil, I mean lazy shining eyes. Really, you took the photos with a 2MP Canon Ixus and later refreshed them with software? My shots with a Canon Ixus 80s never look as good as these And it’s the only camera I have 🙂
Thanks, yes you do get very close at times. They even warn you not to lean over the edge of the boats – crocs can jump!
I’m so used to playing around with software settings to try to get the best from photos. After a while it becomes second nature.
Glad Dragon was not hurt, and he can fly 🙂
Thank you. I can fly very very fast when I need to. 🙂
Nice post and liked the tagline “Never smile at a crocodile” 🙂
Thank you.
Always great to be revisiting some old shots.
Looks like I’ve been missing out on some of your great work. Time to do some catching up 🙂
Good to hear from you again. You’ve been away for too long. I hope to see your photography again soon.
Yes, we have been warned!
And yet people still forget.
Nature’s way of thinning the herd 🙂
🙂
Awesome ! It is better to go swimming elsewhere… 🙂
Absolutely. Thank you. 🙂
OK, got the message, I’m turning back now… they look so other worldly don’t they?
Jude xx
They are like a reminder of dinosaur times. The first one I saw struck terror into me from afar. After a few trips there now, I’ve seen hundreds in the wild, many up close, and I still don’t smile at them.
It’s the way they slide sneakily into the water that creeps me out…and lie there looking like stone sculptures.
In the bush, I always find a big thick stick. I constantly tap the ground out of habit to warn animals to get out of my way. And I use the stick to touch things to make sure they aren’t really alive. 🙂
I am certainly most happy to read that no wood dragons were hurt during the shoot 🙂 🙂 how did you take these pictures, did you have a guide? I’ve never seen a live crocodile… the last shot is striking.. like from the National Geographic… in the dark… a bit scary too… great series 🙂
Thank you. Good morning. 🙂
On the trails and by the river I was alone, but my habit was to find a large stick on the ground each day and carry it with me just in case. 🙂 The shots close up on the water are from boats, in a group. For the last photo, I knew the crocodile was in an enclosure but I had to walk about 900 metres in the dark to get to it. I was a bit more worried about other night creatures that weren’t in an enclosure. 🙂
good morning 🙂 🙂
you were not afraid to go there alone? gosh, I’m happy you turned to street photography… it’s at least (a bit) more safe 🙂 hope you are having a wonderful day, Draco…
Yes, but as you say, only a little bit safer. 🙂
Thanks. Have a great day too.
“He’s imagining how well you’d fit within his skin.”
I love it!!
Seriously, not many creatures scare me. These “guys” most definitely do.
Thank you for the warning!! 🙂
As long as I was anywhere near them, I’m sure my pulse was racing just that little bit faster. Scary but fascinating at the same time.
Thank you Lisa.
So. No longer the street photog., eh ? – or should I say, has never been JUST a street photog.? – but that sounds as if I’m demeaning street photog.s … I never would, not ever ! 🙂
Street photography, is only a recent venture for me, only doing it in earnest for about 2 years. Before that, I was just part of the crowd. 🙂
And now you’re outside it so as to be able to show it to us. Sometimes just one or two, sometimes a few … but always singular !!! (how witty I am !) 😎
🙂
This is one of the best “threshold” posts I’ve seen. One I would be reluctant to cross!
Thank you very much. 🙂
Il coccodrillo forse è l’unico animale insieme ai draghi di Commodo che arriva dalla preistoria e forse questo suo arrivare da tanto lontano, oltre alle sue enormi fauci che incute troppo terrore—a me fa paura anche solo guardarlo nelle tue immagini che sono troppo reali…temo esca dal computer e arrivi nella mia stanza!!!
tu hai sempre un modo tanto ironico e scherzoso di presentare le tue foto! questo mi piace molto
grazie di tutto
The crocodile is perhaps the only animal with the Dragons of Commodus that comes from prehistoric times and maybe this arrive from far away, in addition to its enormous mouth that inspires too terror—scares me even just watch it in your images that are real too … I am afraid that by computer and arrive in my room!!!
you always a so ironic and playful to submit your photos! This I like very much
Thanks for everything
Thank you. The terror was quite real at the time.
Dangerous, but I imagine pretty thrilling!
Thrilling, until they snap at you. Lucky I wore brown shorts that day. 🙂
Fun post, Mr. Flying Dragon. One of those cartoon running-through-the-air moments? (I am laughing WITH you, said the woman who levitates at the sight of a spider.)
Zoiks and away………… 🙂
Lignum – I don’t like anything that slithers. I invite your crocodiles to stay right where they are. Terrific shots, as always.
I don’t think crocodiles are polite enough to accept invitations. 🙂 Thank you kindly Sheri.
Yikes, the signs would have been enough for me!
I think that would be true for a lot of people. 🙂
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Very impressive PP – never would have guessed it came from a 2MP camera. 🙂 #4 and the last one are especially nice.
Thanks. I don’t think I could have done this in my pre-blog days. That’s one of the benefits of blogging – forcing myself to use lightroom.
They always look like they’re smiling, as if they have a private joke on us.
Did you ever watch the original series of The Twilight Zone? There was an episode entitled, To serve man. I think that’s along the lines of what they’re probably thinking, how to “serve” man. 🙂
Looks dangerous… I would be afraid to come that close to them. But even so they are beautiful and they are free. Real danger in real nature. Nice shots. I like the reflections in the water – they makes photos special.
Yes, free in their natural habitat as they should be. We have to respect that. Thank you and I hope you’re having great day.
Thank you, I am. And want you to know that your photos and stories and greetings as well makes my day brighter:) Have a great day too.
🙂
Reblogged this on passion4food4fashion.
In the words of Gandalf, “Fly you fool!!!” Thanks for the back story on your photographic journey, and, SCARY images. 🙂
You’re welcome. I’m not keen to cross paths with a Balrog anytime soon. 🙂
You are so courageous Draco, sounds so scary. Great photos! I’m so glad we don’t have crocodiles here. 🙂
Practising basic common sense safety, most people are fine. Occasionally someone will forget the rules and pay the consequence. I’m glad I’m well away from them where I live too. 🙂
🙂
I’m wondering why the kids like the crocodiles and the adults fear them so much 🙂 Great experience, great photos and yeah – never smile at a crocodile… if you recognize him though 🙂
The innocence of youth! Thank you. 🙂
Wonderful croc images!! I don’t think I’ll forget after this lol.
Nothing like fear to make you feel more alive. 🙂 Thanks.
😀
Yikes that is something I can do without ever seeing!
🙂
Scary… We have a few here in Florida too…
You know what I’m talking about then. 🙂
He snapped at you??!!! 😯 A amazing creature, but not one I’d enjoy taking pictures of, I’m sure there’d be a lot of camera shake in mine! 🙂 I like the one in the bright sunshine, he looks like he’s enjoying that sun! It’s amazing how their scaled skin is almost like armour, and also makes me think of dragons too. Perhaps that’s where the images for dragons came from? Oh, but I forgot – they’re fantasy are they?!!! 😉
Well, I think he either wanted to sleep or he wanted a snack. Either way I didn’t wait to find out which. 🙂
Sorry, messed my words up there! What I meant to say was – they’re ‘not’ fantasy are they?!!! 😉
Yes, us dragons are real. 🙂
I love the way they eat periodically and then just lay there as if they were dead…what a life!!!
Sounds like me on a lazy Sunday. 🙂
🙂 super-cool pix! they’ve reminded me of the crocs of Florida and Costa-Rica… 🙂
have a great week and cheers! Mélanie
Thank you. I hope you’re having a wonderful week too.
They look so lazy, cumbersome and sleazy and absolutely not to be trusted! Fabulous shots Lignum!
Thank you Patti. They do invoke a certain primal fear.
Terrific post, Draco. I mean – really terrific – the photo titled “I’m hungry” is a definite winner 🙂
Thanks Paula. I has quite happy to allow him to remain hungry. No snacking on dragons allowed. 🙂
Great series of photos and glad I’m looking at these wonderful creatures via photographs 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
I managed to miss this series.. Even though it’s old photos, they’re still rather interesting. I don’t think I would dare to come so close to them. As far as I know, they’re incredibly strong and I bet they wouldn’t be picky about the amount of meat on me should they develop an interest if I got so close. Good with all the signs there though, we should at times show nature some respect. I’d love to visit Australia at some point and watch them, from a safe distance!
Yes, you have to show respect to them. They just see the world as food, or not food.
Hi, do you still breathe fire? I mean, you know, being exactly one century and a decade or so.. Just curious. (I am a probability mathematician)
As long as I breathe I still have the fire in me. 🙂
A probability mathematician visiting me? What are the chances of that. 🙂 🙂 🙂
My fave is Where’s Breakfast? Breathtaking! Were you afraid to get close to a crocodile? These are terrific in color.
Safety was never compromised. I am able to run quite quickly when necessary. 🙂