Australia's saltwater crocodile waits patiently on the banks of the South Alligator River, Kakadu National Park.

They are widespread across the northern Australia and can be found in salt and estuarine waters They are extremely territorial. They are the largest reptile in the world (mass) and can weigh over 1000 kg and grow to lengths of 6-7 metres but are more usually less than 5 m. Their jaws can exert a pressure of several tonnes. While they generally feed on smaller prey, they have been known to take cattle and horses and of course, unfortunate humans who make the mistake of swimming in croc infested waters or walking to close to the edge of such places.

While crocodile numbers in Australia are stable now, as with the fate of so much of our native wildlife, extensive hunting from the 1940s to the 1970s reduced them to critical numbers. Once crocodiles became a protected species and conservation programs followed, their numbers slowly recovered.

While I was traveling up North, I was surprised to learn of the simple method used to tell whether a water body is clear of crocodiles-The Rangers place a floating buoy at the mouth or entrance to the water body. If it has bite marks, they know a crocodile is present! Apparently they can't resist biting them.

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That big hot sun (homage to Pearl Jam) dips below the horizon as seen from a boat gliding along the South Alligator River, Kakadu National Park. The ritual winter burn-offs by the indigenous folk cast a smoky haze over the sky, deepening the magical colours.

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Another predator lies in wait, this time up a tree on the banks of the South Alligator River, Kakadu NationalPark

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A Salt Water crocodile gliding along the South Alligator River, Kakadu National Park. It was named Alligator River because the original Explorer of the region Lieutenant Phillip Parker King in 1820 named the rivers in the mistaken belief that the crocodiles in the estuaries were alligators.

Tags:   Crocodile Kakadu Northern Territory Darwin Yellow waters Black and White Reptile Animal Tamron 150-600 Nikon D750 South Alligator River

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