It looks like this intrepid raccoon is using an alligator as his own personal water taxi, but there’s more to the story than meets the eye.

Richard Jones took this incredible photo Saturday while visiting the Ocala National Forest in central Florida with his family.

Jones’ son apparently spooked the raccoon, which jumped on the gator just moments before the photo was snapped, according to ABC News. Jones says he took the photo just in time – the raccoon didn’t stick around for very long.

“Without the context you’d think the raccoon was hitching a ride across the river. Pretty amazing,” Jones said. “Definitely the photo of a lifetime.”