azbill wrote:
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!
Ah, well I hope you turn up something nice in habitat I'm guessing August is a good time for scaly critters if the rains play in your favor?
Thank you Howard, Tom, and Morris. I really appreciate the positive comments. There's a lot of fine photography on this site, it means alot to get positive feedback here.
mkweaver, he was about 3', maybe a little more. They can strike 1/2 to 2/3 their body length. For the most part, he was quite calm. He did rattle a bit, as you can see in the 2nd pic, but he never did strike.
I have a very healthy respect for them. I have seen two people get bit right before my eyes, and have seen the effects of many other bites. Believe me, I don't ever want to go through it myslef.
The 70-200mm has a minimum focus distance of 5'. Although I may appear very close to the snake, I was at least 5' back from him.
Peyton, Aug is great. The rains have already started here in Az. I plan on spending a week straight in the field in Aug!
Bill
Welcome.
I like the dof in the first and the s/s in 2.
The slight blur of the rattle in the second works well.
Very good first post.
Where I like we have rattelers and cooperheads, I will be very happy if these photos are all I see of venemous snakes this year. There is not much that compares to kneeling down in the woods and hearing that rattle, or looking down to see a coiled cooperhead.
Hi Marty, thank you for the comments. While I don't get the pleasure of seeing coiled Copperheads in these parts, I sure like the sound of a rattle! I realize not everyone feels the same though.
big country, he was fairly calm, but blacktails are notorious for rattling even when not neccessary. I've had a few "give themselves away" by rattling as I was driving dirt roads. They were well off the road and never would've been seen, but they sounded off and gave themselves up.
Az blacks are always a treat to see! Spend a few minutes in the Az deserts this time of yr, and you'll see several different species no problem.
Thank you both.
Dick on Aruba, he's not the first one, and he surely will not be the last! He is quite the poser though.
Thanks again for looking.
Bill
I'm guessing August is a good time for scaly critters if the rains play in your favor?