Exploring Wild Waters: The Making of the 2026 Croc Calendar
From Florida swamps to the rivers of Africa and coasts of Australia, this calendar is more than just a collection of photographs — it’s a story of passion, patience, and a lifelong fascination with the world’s most extraordinary reptiles.
The 2026 Croc Calendar has been years in the making. Each image represents a step in my personal and professional journey as a wildlife photographer — capturing moments with crocodilians both in the wild and under the care of conservation programs.
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Florida Natives: The Familiar Faces That Started It All
Growing up and working in Florida, I’ve probably photographed thousands of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) — and yet, each encounter feels new. No matter how many times I see one basking in the sun or gliding silently through tannin-stained waters, I can’t resist capturing “just one more shot.”
But as my craft evolved, so did my focus. I began chasing moments instead of just images. Behaviors like the dramatic “water dance” that ripples from the deep bellow of an alligator — that’s the shot I’m always after. The challenge is to capture it just a little better each time.
And then there’s the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), Florida’s more elusive resident. I spent over a decade hoping to find and photograph one in the wild. In 2025, that dream finally came true. Camping in the Everglades National Park, I explored the area and used my knowledge of the species to look for them, then it happened; an unforgettable encounter with a wild crocodile. That single experience reminded me why I started this journey: to tell real stories of connection between people, wildlife, and place.
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African Mysteries: The Slender-Snouted Crocodiles of West and Central Africa
My connection to Africa’s crocodiles goes back to 2010, when, after years of trial and error, I successfully helped the critically endangered West African Slender-snouted Crocodiles (Mecistops cataphractus) reproduce for the first time in North America.
This milestone mattered deeply — not just for me, but for conservation. These individuals were wild-caught, originally owned by Arthur Jones, the eccentric inventor of Nautilus Weightlifting systems and an early crocodilian enthusiast. Their offspring genetically strengthened the population in U.S. zoos — a small but meaningful win for a species often overlooked.
In 2024, I traveled to Africa, attending an IUCN Red List assessment meeting for the Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus sp.). The mission for the trip was to photograph six of the 7 species of crocodiles on the continent: mission accomplished! That story is told in another blog, but one of my highlights was spotting juvenile Central African Slender-snouted Crocodiles (Mecistops leptorhynchus) perched on branches over the Mpivie River.
As our boat approached, they dove into the water one by one — a perfect display of instinct and survival. Capturing that behavior was a reminder of how much there is left to learn and protect.
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Australian Legends: The Largest of Crocodilians and One With Lots of Sharp Teeth
Australia is home to two species of crocodiles — the iconic Saltwater (Estuarine) Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and the Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni).
In Darwin, I ventured out to Fogg Dam Reserve during an IUCN SSC–Crocodile Specialist Group meeting. Midday isn’t ideal for wildlife photography — harsh light, blazing sun — but nature has a way of surprising you. That afternoon, this one Freshwater crocodile was out in full view, basking almost perfectly for photography. It reminded me: sometimes, the “rules” of fieldwork don’t apply. The key is simply to get out there.
Jumping Estuarine crocodiles in the Adelaide River
Later, we traveled to Green Island near Cairns to visit George Craig at Marineland Melanesia Park — home of Cassius, the largest recorded Saltwater crocodile in captivity at 18 feet (5.5 meters). Meeting George and Cassius was an unforgettable experience. Both have since passed, but their legacy — and that moment — lives on through photography and memory.
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The Alligator Farm Legacy: Where It All Began
Much of my crocodilian knowledge and photographic experience was forged at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, where I began in 2008 as a Reptile Keeper.
Maximo, Saltwater crocodile, and myself in 2010 during a feeding show.
This historic zoo — founded in 1893 — is home to every living species of crocodilian, as well as remarkable animals like Madagascar lemurs, Komodo dragons, and Galápagos tortoises. It was the perfect place to grow, learn, and photograph.
From alligators patrolling a native bird rookery filled with roseate spoonbills to newly hatched Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), every moment behind the lens helped refine my craft and my mission: to share the beauty and importance of these misunderstood reptiles.
Cuban Crocodile
The 2026 Croc Calendar features rare and endangered species like the Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), the Cuban Crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer), and the Hall’s New Guinea Crocodile (Crocodylus halli) — all photographed with deep respect for their survival stories.
Hall's New Guinea Crocodile
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Why This Calendar Matters
This collection is special because it reflects years of fieldwork, travel, and conservation storytelling. From Florida to Africa to Australia, each image captures more than a subject — it captures a story, a memory, and a moment of connection between human and reptile.
Every calendar purchase helps support future field projects and photography expeditions that continue to raise awareness for crocodilian species and their habitats.
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Get the 2026 Croc Calendar
Bring the wild into your home or office with the 2026 Croc Calendar — featuring 12 months of stunning, high-quality wildlife photography from around the world.
➡️ Order your copy today to support wildlife storytelling and conservation.
📸 Available now at https://forgeapathmedia.com/products/calendar-of-crocodilians-2026
Each month is a reminder of the beauty, resilience, and importance of these ancient creatures — and of how photography can inspire protection through connection.
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