Blacktailed rattlesnake

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Archive 2009 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

azbill
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p.1 #1 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

My first post here. I enjoy herpetology and photography, and I occasionaly combine the two.
A male Blacktailed rattlesnake from south-eastern Arizona.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Jul 03, 2009 at 12:52 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #2 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

First a big welcome to you on your first post

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!

Karl

Jul 03, 2009 at 12:56 AM

Duane N
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p.1 #3 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Welcome to FM. I love #1. You're a lot braver then I am and I respect snakes...no way I'd be that brave with that lens you used.

Jul 03, 2009 at 12:59 AM

azbill
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p.1 #4 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Thank you Karl. There's some great photography on this forum, glad to be here!
Bill

Jul 03, 2009 at 12:59 AM

azbill
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p.1 #5 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Thank you Duane.

Jul 03, 2009 at 01:00 AM

tfoltz
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p.1 #6 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Nice DOF on the first 2 and great detail also.
Welcome to the forum.

Tim

Jul 03, 2009 at 01:29 AM

KINGOFKNGS
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p.1 #7 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Perhaps the new Canon 800 IS would be a great lens for such a job... maybe with 2X TC!

Wonderful photos. Is there some sexual dimorphism in the species?

Ryan

Jul 03, 2009 at 01:33 AM

azbill
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p.1 #8 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Thank you Tim!

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

Jul 03, 2009 at 01:51 AM

DiPace
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p.1 #9 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

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.

-- Don

Jul 03, 2009 at 02:27 AM

harshaj1
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p.1 #10 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Welcome. Great shots. Nice details
Harsha

Jul 03, 2009 at 02:30 AM

skibum5
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p.1 #11 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

1st and 3rd are fantastic shots!

90mm!

Jul 03, 2009 at 02:54 AM

azbill
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p.1 #12 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

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

Jul 03, 2009 at 01:34 PM

Peyton
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p.1 #13 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

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

Jul 03, 2009 at 03:59 PM

MrAdventure
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p.1 #14 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

oh...hell no. nice shots though!

Jul 03, 2009 at 04:20 PM

Rob Tillyer
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p.1 #15 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Welcome aboard. I really like the first shot, great angle.

Rob

Jul 03, 2009 at 04:30 PM

azbill
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p.1 #16 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

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!

Jul 03, 2009 at 08:29 PM

Howard Kearley
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p.1 #17 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Great shots, love the first one.

Howard.

Jul 03, 2009 at 08:37 PM

mkweaver
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p.1 #18 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

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!

Jul 03, 2009 at 08:47 PM

grebe
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p.1 #19 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

Excellent technical details and compelling subject. Good for you!!

tom

Jul 03, 2009 at 09:04 PM

morris
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p.1 #20 · Blacktailed rattlesnake

the last one is scary!

Fine work.

Morris

Jul 04, 2009 at 01:12 AM

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