Gary Peart / mediadrumworld.com

By Mark McConville

INCREDIBLE images have captured the moment one brave British photographer got up close and personal with nine-foot-long American crocodiles.

The stunning shots show the crocodile’s huge teeth as the predator smiles for the camera underwater while others show the croc swimming towards the photographer.

Gary Peart / mediadrumworld.com

 

Other striking snaps show the photographer getting within feet of the enormous crocodile and the reptile rising out of the water to snatch whole chickens off a bait line.

The dramatic photographs were taken in Jardines De La Reina National Park, Cuba by conservation photographer Gary Peart (44) from London, UK.

“The American crocodiles are thriving in the protected mangrove and sea grass beds,” he said.

Gary Peart / mediadrumworld.com

 

“They are an apex predator and their presence represents a healthy ecosystem. I see the power of nature, of an apex predator supremely adapted to its environment, doing what it can to survive.

“When we arrived the water was crystal clear but very shallow but soon both we and the crocodiles had silted things up.

“Also, there were three to four crocodiles in the area so we had to constantly check all around us.

Gary Peart / mediadrumworld.com

 

“To get dramatic images like this it is imperative to be very close to the crocodile, wide-angle lenses will make even a huge subject appear small and far away. So this meant getting up close and personal with the crocodiles.

“It’s breathtaking the first time you look below the surface at a big ocean apex predator.”

Gary, who took the pictures with a Nikon D750 underwater and a Nikon D500 above water, left London 10 years ago to travel the world and has so far visited all seven continents and more than 80 countries with his wife.

Gary Peart / mediadrumworld.com

 

He became a conservation photographer and has a message about protecting our oceans.

“My love of the oceans began with learning to dive, becoming an instructor, managing a dive operation in Indonesia, and pursuing underwater photography,” said Gary.

“Initially my motivation was the pure excitement and adventure of ocean encounters but now it is inextricably linked to conservation as wild places and ecosystems come under increasing pressure.

Gary Peart / mediadrumworld.com

 

“My message is the amazing power of nature, and yet to dismiss the idea that ocean predators are mindless killers.

“In fact, it is possible to get much closer to wildlife in the ocean than on land, and that these apex predators are a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Marine protected areas are essential for the future health of our oceans.”