p.59 #8 · Official Nikon DSLR images, videos and discussion thread
Cottonmouth at sunset (defensive posture).
This large snake was crossing the main entrance road to Everglades National Park at sunset. I pulled over to block traffic, got out and with my fully extended monopod I helped it across the rest of the way. On the other side I coaxed it behind my van where it was blocked from the view of the public entering the park. Then I set up the camera and took many shots.
Poisonous snakes know exactly what they have and the damage they can inflict with it. Here a Cottonmouth is in its mild, initial warning posture. All Cottonmouths exhibit the same defensive posture and progression of defensive postures. If a Cottonmouth is really pressed it will widely gape its mouth, showing the cottony inner mouth and throw its head back.
*If pressed really hard a Cottonmouth will actually HIDE ITS HEAD UNDER ITS BODY, apparently just hoping that the trouble will go away.* I know because I have done a lot of experimenting with these snakes in the Everglades.
Cottonmouth's are not aggressive, but they will stand their ground when confronted. It is best to simply leave them alone, giving them wide berth.
Virtually all snake bites are caused by the person pressing the snake in some way, either by teasing it or attempting to catch it, being bitten after it has been caught or the person does not realize they are *standing on the snake*!. I've seen that happen just once.
These snakes do not attack. They avoid humans altogther or defend if they must. The sad part is that some folks in the Everglades confront Cottonmouths, block their escape and then pull their revolver and kill the snake. I am sure there are those who let the snake go.
Oops. After posting this image I realized it is a scan. My mistake. I decided to leave it and not post it in the thread on scanned images. :)
p.59 #9 · Official Nikon DSLR images, videos and discussion thread
I mounted my 50mm f/1.8 nifty fifty on my D850 today just to see what it would do. It definitely is a cut above any of my zooms.
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I would have liked to have seen this house back in its' day. I bet it was beautiful. It could still be made beautiful
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