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Archive 2018 · A few herps

Keiththom
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · A few herps

Some Herps from a couple of days ago to S.E Missouri.

Timber Rattlesnake

Moccasin

baby moccasin

Racer

Oct 21, 2018 at 11:03 AM

dclark
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · A few herps

I enjoy seeing photographs of snakes. Yours are excellent.
Maybe the reason we see so few good photos of venomous snakes is that the photographers don't last long. For example, the first photo is shot with a 105mm lens (good for portraits of people but not rattlesnakes), and the guy in the third photo is too close (is that you?).

Dave

Oct 21, 2018 at 01:16 PM

azbill
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · A few herps

Beautiful subjects and images Keith, nicely done!

Oct 21, 2018 at 01:33 PM

Keiththom
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · A few herps

dclark wrote:
I enjoy seeing photographs of snakes. Yours are excellent.
Maybe the reason we see so few good photos of venomous snakes is that the photographers don't last long. For example, the first photo is shot with a 105mm lens (good for portraits of people but not rattlesnakes), and the guy in the third photo is too close (is that you?).

Dave

Dave:

Thanks,

Guns, Rattlesnakes and horses are all dangerous if you don't understand them. I think the reason venomous herps aren't photographed as much is that they are feared, hated and maligned by many. I'm 65 and have been handling, photographing and maintaining them in collections since I was 9. (actually at 9 I didn't own a camera) Snakes telegraph their intentions. Laying next to the Timber was perfectly safe, if you notice, he wasn't even facing my direction. I would prefer to have a 200 mm macro with me when photographing reptiles, but I have to log many miles of walking per rattler. Currently I pack an 810, 105 micro, Nikon 12-24 and a tripod. That's about as heavy as I want to go on really long distance tracks.

Oct 21, 2018 at 02:13 PM

surfnron
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · A few herps

Very well done Keith ~ Ron

Oct 21, 2018 at 02:34 PM

KCollett
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · A few herps

Good looking snakes, even if they do have herpes.

Oct 21, 2018 at 02:34 PM

morris
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · A few herps

First and last for me Keith

Morris

Oct 21, 2018 at 02:36 PM

dclark
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · A few herps

Keiththom wrote:
Dave:

Thanks,

Guns, Rattlesnakes and horses are all dangerous if you don't understand them. I think the reason venomous herps aren't photographed as much is that they are feared, hated and maligned by many. I'm 65 and have been handling, photographing and maintaining them in collections since I was 9. (actually at 9 I didn't own a camera) Snakes telegraph their intentions. Laying next to the Timber was perfectly safe, if you notice, he wasn't even facing my direction. I would prefer to have a 200 mm macro with me when photographing reptiles, but I have to log many miles of...Show more →

My comment about the danger was not completely serious. I am sure you know what you are doing.

I have a pet snake but she's not venomous (constrictor). She's very sweet and seems to like me. She wraps around my neck and gives me a hug. So I agree that the fear of snakes is often irrational, but the fear of venomous snakes, that's rational. If you know what you are doing that makes a big difference. A guy I know keeps venomous snakes. I asked him if he got bit (he calls it "getting tagged"). He tried to reassure me by saying "not often".

We see rattlers here but I have never gotten a good photograph. Don't know what I am doing so I stay a long way away. A couple of times I got close before I saw the snake and the snake saw me. We were both terrified.

Oct 21, 2018 at 03:57 PM

Keiththom
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · A few herps

Timber rattlesnakes are surprisingly mild creatures. I've never had one even rattle at me unless I moved it/ touched it. Moccasins on the other hand are generally bad-mannered. When you walk too near, they open their mouth and flash their big toothy grins.

Oct 21, 2018 at 04:10 PM

kmunroe
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · A few herps

your snakes are very nice Keith

Oct 21, 2018 at 06:26 PM

40Driggs
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · A few herps

Nice series

Oct 23, 2018 at 01:43 PM

wonderer
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · A few herps

Excellent herp portraits, Keith. Low shooting angle and intense expressions (in human terms) add to the drama of these.

Thanks for posting.

--Kim

Oct 23, 2018 at 03:27 PM

sum1sgrampa
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · A few herps

I used to catch garter snakes as a kid, bring them home and my older brother would let them go when I wasn't around. I've always had a soft spot for these misunderstood animals. Coincidentally, I came across this passage last night in a book I'm reading. Thought it was an interesting perspective.

"So many people hate snakes", she murmured, as if to herself. "I think it's because they threaten people's worldview-they're alien,limbless,impossible, black magic: a stick come to life. But maybe we're all sticks come to life". The snake wrapped around her thumb and she addressed it's impassive face. " We want to think we're exceptional, ensouled, angel fairies, or God's special children. The magic of being animate matter isn't enough"
In any event, very nice job with the photos !

Oct 23, 2018 at 06:20 PM

kdacharya
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · A few herps

beautifully done, Keith. Always great to have new perspective. Thanks for sharing the great pics and the knowledge

Oct 24, 2018 at 06:27 AM


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