Up Close and Personal with Krys, The Savannah King
Day 17 - Normanton, Gulf Country, NWQ
Krys, the Savannah King is an artists impression of the world's largest recorded saltwater crocodile ever "captured". The replica has been built to the dimensions listed in the Guiness Book of Records.
It was shot just downstream from Normanton by Krystina Pawlowski in July 1957 and measured 8.63 mtrs. The name reflects the feats of this lady.
I was blown away by this. In thinking about an 8.6mtr crocodile, I guess I imagined a big long croc and never considered that it would have a girth and head size to match its length. We wouldn't have been even a decent meal for it. Positively scary.
For O/S 365ers, crocodiles became a protected species in Australia in 1974. Since then, their numbers have increased to the point where some people are now trying to have licenced hunting to take place. Personally, I hope that never happens. Steve Irwin would turn over in his grave if it does.
Crikey, that is some croc. By standing against it you have given us a great sense of scale. Fair dinkum, I would not like to come across one in the wild, let alone one of this size. Wonderful shot.
Nice shot Terry.I asked the ranger at Billabong sanctuary how far one should stand back from the water when fishing and he said at least 15ft but i think i,d be a little further back than that with one that size.
@peterlgrave Whenever I hear of someone being taken by a croc I always think "Dickhead. What were you doing down at the water?"
However, when we were driving from Normanton to Karumba, we crossed over this creek and there were lovely cascades and a small waterfall.
Stopped the car, grabbed the camera and went down to get some shots. I was heading downstream along the muddy bank, clambering over tree roots etc close to the water trying to get the best POV when I suddenly remembered where I was. After my stomach did a double flip, I grabbed a couple of shots and got out of the place. Found out later that there were crocs in that creek.
I won't be so dismissive of the victims in future. :-(
well you can still be dismissive because you were being a bit of a dickhead really to go take those shots weren't ya? but yeah we can all slip up - glad you lived to tell the tale!
Heard of this croc but never been there to see it, one of the biggest I'm sure. As for scrambling around near the water, it's so easy to "forget" where you are, camera in hand, living dangerously !!
It's huge !!!!
However, when we were driving from Normanton to Karumba, we crossed over this creek and there were lovely cascades and a small waterfall.
Stopped the car, grabbed the camera and went down to get some shots. I was heading downstream along the muddy bank, clambering over tree roots etc close to the water trying to get the best POV when I suddenly remembered where I was. After my stomach did a double flip, I grabbed a couple of shots and got out of the place. Found out later that there were crocs in that creek.
I won't be so dismissive of the victims in future. :-(