Snorkeling for Alligator Snapping Turtles in a Blackwater River

[@crookedchimneys]

Had one of these turtles come and lumber into my yard once. A massive one. Likely a mother coming to lay eggs. Very intimidating creatures, but they’re quite majestic once you get to see them up close. Amazing cinematography as always, you guys rock!!👏👏

[@josephrickettsphoto]

Oh that's such a cool experience! And also that's probably exactly what she was doing. They sure are something, I love 'em so much. Than you :)

[@keidwyn]

So very beautiful the way the light interacts with the falling of nature ,I can very much understand the attraction ....

[@josephrickettsphoto]

Glad you can see the beauty in it too!

[@Sandevistanv.2]

The videography is awesome dude.

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@Sandevistanv.2 Thank you so much!

[@DownLocked]

Great video! Having grown up in south & central FL and now living in north FL, I love that your channel lets me take a deep dive into it all. Recently visited AL and learned how beautiful of a state it is, extremely ecologically diverse. Keep up the great work! ✌🏼

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@DownLocked Thank you! Yeah, there is actually some incredibly impressive aquatic diversity in AL. And of course, gotta love North FL :)

[@fuzi_]

Happy to discover you before you inevitably blow up! Hope to see some dives in Georgia

[@josephrickettsphoto]

Aw thank you!! It might be a little bit, but already planning to explore underwater GA in the future!

[@stevepkrajcikiv]

Awesome video as always. So interesting. 🤙🤿🙂

[@stevepkrajcikiv]

Your videos are always so informative!

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@stevepkrajcikiv Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@karabaumhardt5350]

Winters in the Midwest are rough, so I’ve been watching your videos non stop to get over the seasonal blues. Your content makes me stoked to get back on the trails in the spring, and I’ve learned so much from each video! Keep it up!

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@karabaumhardt5350 oh man I bet, im sorry I’m complaining about 35F haha. In the future I’ll do some cold water dives and get my Florida buns in some REAL cold water. But so glad it can inspire you to be ready for the spring! That’s awesome

[@MrStarrzo]

Amazing video. The quality of your content is insane. You are my favorite person in any pond, river, or ocean!

[@josephrickettsphoto]

Thank you! Wow that's so kind haha. Trying to get underwater in as many different places and water bodies as possible :)

[@AVNJ]

Your videography and style is impressive. I do plenty of creek/river/ocean free diving myself and have never really gotten the concept to do well on my channel. It's impressive how much your narration makes me want to keep watching. I'll have to try it.

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@AVNJ Thank you and that’s good to hear! Yeah definitely give it a go!!

[@charlesbrooks5749]

These videos always make my day! Thank you for all your hard work!

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@charlesbrooks5749 Love to hear that :) No problem, I love making them!

[@alexsecor5633]

IT’S VIDEO DAY! THE BEST DAY!!! I’m making my family watch this one with me!!! I’m always left in awe from your videos and I have to share it. 😊🫶

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@alexsecor5633 ALRIGHT!! That’s so awesome. Thank you :)

[@CASH-THE-NERD]

As a native of Alabama, I hoped you enjoyed the small hidden gems around are unknown state. It’s a very pretty state in its own unique way. Especially when you get up into the Appalachians😊

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@CASH-THE-NERD Definitely a lot of hidden beauty in the state - especially in the aquatic environment. Planning to be back for more in the future!

[@robertfaber6796]

Incredible creature.

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@robertfaber6796 They really are something!

[@KnukkaheadOG]

Thanks for all the information you give us about the water and stuff. I would of been afraid of alligators even if they arent in there lol

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@KnukkaheadOG Of course! I feel like this one was a little less detailed than it could have been, but I’m glad it was still informative! And actually alligators do live in this river, but they’re not very abundant, especially the farther north you go

[@mgeller854]

Great video! One thing that baffles me is how not prone snapping turtles are to biting; Ive seen so many people wade, noodle, or swim around them and it leads me to believe like most animals they just want to get away, the one time they always bite is when you pick them up: they must really not like it because some are tame enough to sit on your lap perfectly chill….

[@josephrickettsphoto]

Thank you! And yes, underwater, they really just want to be left alone. But as soon as they are on land and feel vulnerable, they'll snap as much as they can. Which makes sense, they're scared and using every tool they have to protect themselves. Common snapping turtles are much more feisty than alligator snappers in my experience. The common ones will lunge, but the bigger alligator snappers will still mostly just gape until something comes within their mouth or in close enough range. A bite from an alligator snapper is a good bit worse than a common, however

[@montana556]

Another cool video, thanks mate

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@montana556 Thank ya! Glad you enjoyed it 🤙🏼

[@christophermcoleman]

Just came across your page, I love it! I moved back home to east Texas from West Palm Beach about a two years ago. Will always miss snorkeling in the beautiful waters of Florida.

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@christophermcoleman So glad you enjoy it! There’s also some freshwater springs in Texas too! Might be worth checking out :)

[@lauradaniels9695]

so glad i found this channel, fire content

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@lauradaniels9695 Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@Ravioli-uw9uy]

Just stumbled across this channel and so happy that I have! I’ve learned so much already watching these videos and am truly appreciative of the content! Stay safe out there dude! Greetings and good vibes from Las Vegas!

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@Ravioli-uw9uy Hey thank you so much and welcome to the channel! Greetings and good vibes back at ya from FL :)

[@ZacharyAtchison]

Another killer video dude 😤 Amazing how much life is under there even with such low light and oxygen

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@ZacharyAtchison Thanks Zach! Yeah, I wish I had spent a bit more time exploring but with Bill being sick and me being cold we called it quits early. But I was impressed with how many fish were hiding out in the deeper pockets

[@CASH-THE-NERD]

Alligator snapping turtles can live up to 200 years. But old age for wild ones are up to around 120.

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@CASH-THE-NERD That doesn’t surprise me, but I think around 40 years is more a common lifespan on the lower end for wild ones. Hard to give an exact number in those contexts as it can vary so widely between individuals and what system they are in. But yes, 120 and up definitely happens!

[@WilsonRicketts-n1g]

Beautiful animal! Love this

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@WilsonRicketts-n1g Thanks bro 😘

[@_Mokkas_]

You do what i dream to do. Enjoy everything you do in these videos. Im going to watch definetly more of your content. You do it really professional and entertaining. Soon you will get the attention you deserve. KZbin just has to make one video viral and then…🤯🎉🥳

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@_Mokkas_ Thank you, I’m glad you enjoy the videos! Haha we’ll see what happens, but either way I’m gonna keep at it :)

[@Autumn_Dome]

Great sacrifice for a great video. Stay warm joseph!

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@Autumn_Dome Haha thanks my dude :) I will do what I can 🥶

[@lydiastanley18]

Woohoo Another Vid ! Let’s goo 🌊🙌🏻

[@josephrickettsphoto]

Thank you! :)

[@MarshallMan314]

Banger as always

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@MarshallMan314 Thank you :)

[@sawyerp6115]

So dope man

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@sawyerp6115 Thank ya mate :)

[@aha7303]

Great video! 👍

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@aha7303 Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@丁凯文-m3e]

Very great video.The ast is Macrochelys temminckii or Macrochelys apalachicolae ?

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@丁凯文-m3e Thank you! I believe this is Macrochelys temminckii

[@billhawthornephotography560]

Luck? You know how many rivers I snorkeled around there before I found that spot?? 😂 awesome video, Joseph!

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@billhawthornephotography560 oh man I totally should have emphasized that more🤦🏼‍♂️ I’ll update the description! Haha thanks, Bill :)

[@bradnaugle1025]

I enjoy this

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@bradnaugle1025 I’m so glad!

[@ThatGuyinAnotherHatch]

You deserve so many more followers

[@josephrickettsphoto]

Thanks man, hopefully they'll find their way here eventually :)

[@ThatGuyinAnotherHatch]

@@josephrickettsphoto me too. Your content is incredible. I actually shed a tear when the snapper focused on the camera. Idk why. Maybe because its just so beautiful. And your content makes me feel so relaxed and you narrate perfectly.

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@ Wow! To me that means so much when my work evokes emotion. I see so much beauty and do my best to capture it just limited by how long I can hold my breath. Thanks so much man :)

[@Dronekid965]

What type of drone do u have sry I’m very late lol

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@Dronekid965 No problem! I use a DJI Mavic Air 2. It’s slightly older model, but it shoots 4k and gets the job done well! I believe I was using an ND filter for these shots since it was super sunny

[@Dronekid965]

@ nice thanks

[@stevepkrajcikiv]

What fins and mask do use?

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@stevepkrajcikiv Cressi Gara 2000HF for the fins (love them) and the mask is Cressi big eyes evolution and it’s just alright

[@stevepkrajcikiv]

​@@josephrickettsphotoNice! Love my Cressis as well (fit my size 14s well). I prefer my large single lens mask here...fits my face and big schnoz well.

[@AyyItsMeee]

Bowser!

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@AyyItsMeee haha yeah!

[@Calhounerino]

100k by 26 is lowballing it brother

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@Calhounerino Whoa, if that’s the case that’d be crazy! We’ll see what happens! I’ll just keep at it :)

[@therealcloroxbleach9408]

I’d be curious to see what your camera would pick up in the black water if the St. John’s

[@josephrickettsphoto]

@@therealcloroxbleach9408 Been thinking about doing a video somewhere out there. Just probably wouldn’t be diving, it’s so full of big gators. But if of the smaller lakes get shallow and clear and filled with smaller gators, I might could do some wading stuff