That is some dangerous material you are playing with! That also was some very close proximity you shot these at 80-90mm, yikes! Color and details look very good, glad to have you join in!
Ryan, thank you for the comments. I'm sure the Canon would do a wonderful job, but I shoot Nikon. This was taken with my D100 70-200mmVR, before I bought my D300.
Blacktailed rattlesnakes have an extensive range and are differently colored throughout their range. Specimens from a few mountain ranges in se Az exhibit a nice golden color. Males are usually much more vibrantly colored than the females. The male pictured, is an exceptionally nicely colored specimen.
A female was found just a few feet from where the male was found, but she was quite dull in comparison and fairly thin too. There was a pretty good chance she had recently given birth.
Thanks again for the comments.
Bill
The more rattlers, the merrier. That's what I always say. No, really... all the time. You're lucky to have some of the more ornery crotalus; the Southern Pacific rattlers here refuse to show any personality -- even if you poke 'em with a stick (isn't that right, tfoltz?). Anyway, the first shot really works for me, especially being near eye level.
Thanks again for the kind words.
Don, I don't have much experience with C helleri, but I thought they were a little more exciteable than you describe. Potent venom too!
Bill
Welcome to FM! Glad to have another herper in our midst Crotalus molossus is by far my favorite rattlesnake, I really hope to get out to AZ to find some in the near future. Thank you for sharing such amazing images of a wonderful animal!
90mm, pssh I'd use my 17-40L
I look forward to seeing more images from your way! Bring on the pyromelana
Thanks again for the many welcomes and kind words.
Peyton, the only pyro shot I currently have is of my cbb female. You never know though, tis the season!
How big was he? Do you realize how far one of those can jump! (as a herpetology enthusiast you must!)
I've always been taught (and I grew up in diamondback country) that they can jump twice their length. Is that correct, or an old wives tale? I have personally seen them jump further than I'd like to be near!
I don't have a phobia about snakes, but I do have a healthy respect for their dangers. I've seen cows die from bites!
Crotalus molossus is by far my favorite rattlesnake, I really hope to get out to AZ to find some in the near future. Thank you for sharing such amazing images of a wonderful animal!