Today I had a chance meeting and was lucky to leave unbitten by this Western Prarie Rattler. Was leaving a jobsite and had my camera with me for some shots and was startled by a rattle sound behind me. I turned around and 5 feet from me was this rattler. Needless to say it scared the crap out of me and I shot off 6 frames. I was able to get about 4 feet away from it but didn't chance getting any closer. We both went on our merry ways after the 30 second encounter. Very scarry.
Edited by Klaus Priebe on Apr 25, 2008 at 07:46 PM GMT
Mark Lijesen wrote:
Great shot! Would have liked a lower angle, but I totally understand that you did not.
Thanks !
Yep that was not an option at the time. The only directon I was going to move was away. I thought about moving back and shooting lower but I had the 17-55mm lens on at the time so I just shot and moved on. By the time I got to the truck it was back in the bushes.
EyeManPix wrote:
Wow, you're braver than I would have been. Great shot and thank goodness you didn't get bitten.
Thanks and I really didn't think of the consequences when shooting. I do know it takes a lot to actually get a snake to strike at you. I was 40 miles from town and really didn't want to take any chances.
I almost ran into one of these last Thursday, you were luckier than me though. The one I saw was a baby and only had one rattle on it, he was small enough that I almost stepped on him. One more step and I would have been in big trouble since I was 4 miles away form any roads. I think your's saw you coming a little better than the one I saw, I think he's agitated.
May 01, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Wonderful capture. This shot definitely brings you to the moment it occurred. I also love the colors and how the ground complements the snake. Good luck.
Great capture!