Forked Tongue

Photographers Comments
Another in the snake series.....

egads...you must have nerves of steel.

I must say this was an experience. I was peacefully cleaning stalls the other night when I noticed this in the corner of the stall. Not at all acceptable so I scooped it up with the pitchfork and shavings and dumped it in a bucket with intentions of turning it loose in the field. but.... was this not a great photo op??? so took snake and dumped it out on the step and got a few shots but then thought it might look better if posed on the fence so once again moved it . Now the snake was getting sort of fed up with all of this moving about but I persevered and got some decent images. These things hiss, strike and rattle their tails sort of like rattlesnakes do- a bit un nerving. It is a challenge to ge the snake to strike a pose and to deal with the camera at the same time. Now I am hoping that his mother isn't around- adult ones of these are big- much more than I can deal with I am sure- this was pretty much my limit. Mary

well done you!! he looks lovely

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You're a brave woman Mary. Great shot. Good dof and so sharp and clear. Lovely detail but maybe a bit too much for a snake shy gal like myself LOL

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Thanks Lisa and Maureen- I also am not a snake fan although I am working on becoming more appreciative. The patterns on this one I thought were really neat. These snakes do have a purpose in that they are excellant rodent hunters. I do have a kind of mental "Yuck" set about them when in reality the snake is rather benign and just going about doing his own thing. My problem I guess- I'll get over it. Mary

Yikes Mary, I had to go and pour myself a large brandy after reading your account of this stunning shot.....Not something I would try to do either.
You have ended up with a great shot with great composition and dof......

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Fantastic Mary! the focus on its head is spot on getting the tongue in the shot only adds more to it..great job.

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Hey Diane- Brandy is a good idea!!!! will give it a try the next time when faced with a like project... Thanks for your comments. Mary

Thanks Bev- have you done any snake pictures? I am finding getting good framing on these is kind of hard. If this snake had cooperated and coiled up it might have been easier but this was not the most cooperative of subjects. Wasn't going to coax him too much LOL. Mary