The Infamous Alligator, Everglades

This was the alligator I almost stepped on. After getting up the ground I noticed my camera was broken :( The zoom lens had been out just before the encounter and when I fell the zoom hit the round and was permanently bent. After getting Sander (who was in the car) I temporarily fixed the camera to take this shot. I was only able to take photos with this camera (olympus 2020z) in Key West then it stopped working completely. All post-Key West photos are with an Olympus D-370. The 370 has similar image quality for the web and is only about $175. The main upsides: relatively cheap, good images, starts faster so it's easier to whip out for a fast photo, longer battery life. Downsides: only 1.3 megapixel (fine for web-only), aperture doesn't open as long so some night shots w/o flash won't work, no optical zoom. Despite the shortcomings I like the 370 a lot...it seems to be more rugged and better for traveling like I am planning to do.