Speaking with a forked tongue

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Speaking with a forked tongue

September 21, 2013 by Mike Powell

Most of the time, when I see these green snakes, they are half-buried in a bush and it is impossible to get a decent shot. yesterday, however, I almost stepped on this Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) on one section of the boardwalk at my local marsh and was able to compose this shot before he slithered away.

The snake had stopped moving and was surveying the situation, sticking its tongue out repeatedly. I got several shots with the tongue extended, but I especially like this one, because it shows the forked tongue.

Posted in Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, Reptiles, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, forked tongue, green snake, Huntley Meadows Park, Opheodrys aestivus, Rough Green Snake, snake, Tamron 180mm macro lens | 10 Comments

10 Responses

on September 21, 2013 at 8:23 pm | Reply Bill

That’s a great shot!

I had one of those drop out of a tree and into my lap when I was a boy. Scared the dickens out of me.
- on September 21, 2013 at 8:32 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Yikes. They are beautiful, but I think I like to enjoy snakes from a distance.
on September 21, 2013 at 11:22 pm | Reply Stephanie

Wow…..looks scary…..but great spontaneous shot!!
on September 21, 2013 at 11:43 pm | Reply Lyle Krahn

I like it too. Great title.
- on September 22, 2013 at 5:38 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Lyle. The title came so naturally that not other title seemed to fit.
on September 22, 2013 at 8:13 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

Nice shot. I never knew that snakes spent so much time in bushes until one popped up out of a hedge I was trimming once.
on September 22, 2013 at 11:37 am | Reply caleephotography

Great shot, Mike! Especially when viewed large. Beautiful snake. 🙂
- on September 22, 2013 at 1:20 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Are you ok with snakes? I recall that spiders are not among your favorites.
on September 22, 2013 at 2:42 pm | Reply Mjollnir

What a lovely little snake. Great shot Mike 😀
on November 3, 2013 at 1:51 am | Reply Stunning Capture of Green Vine Snake in India | OMG Amazing Pictures - Most Amazing Pictures on The Internet

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