What’s your first reaction when you see a snake? I was walking through the woods at my local marsh this past weekend when I spotted a snake curled up on the leaves. My first reaction was to move closer to get a shot of the snake.
The area was relatively open, but there were lots of leaves and sticks on the forest floor, so it was not really possible to get an unobstructed shot of the snake. I took a shot anyways, fearing the snake would leave, and include it as a second image here so you can see how the snake was positioned. I noticed that the snake’s head was in an uncluttered area and a clear shot seemed possible. I changed lenses from my telephoto zoom to my macro lens, set up my tripod as low as it would go, and moved really close, until the snake’s head almost filled the frame of my viewfinder. I took some shots in natural light and some with my popup flash. The snake seemed unbothered by my actions until I inadvertently moved a small branch when adjusting my position on ground and he slithered away.
When I looked at the images on my computer, I was struck by the degree to which my reflection is visible in the snake’s eye. If you click on the first photo, you’ll get a higher resolution view that shows me taking the shot (with flash this time).
I am not sure what kind of snake this is, but it looks a bit like a Northern Black Racer snake (Coluber constrictor constrictor) as described on the webpage of the Virginia Herpetological Society. I’d welcome a confirmation or correction of my identification from anyone with more experience with snakes.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Interesting reflection, like looking into what he was seeing. Nice picture. I would have been …. leery!
It’s almost like using a fisheye lens in a mirror. I realize that reactions are likely to range from fascinated to totally creeped out. You seem to be somewhere in the middle 🙂
Wow – that’s brave and utterly amazing!
Thanks, Dina. I am not sure about “brave,” but I was alert to signs of the snake feeling threatened. I have been told that snake bites can be painful sometimes, even when a snake is not poisonous.
Of course that was brave! You’re my hero! I’d drop dead… 😉
depends what kind of snake 🙂
how about walk away then run? When I lived in Sri Lanka, there were poisonous snakes around so that’s what I’ve learned. :p
I think a lot depends on the environment. There are few poisonous snakes in the places where I have lived, so I am perhaps I little less cautious about approaching snakes with my camera.
Great shot, being a fellow nature photog my first reaction is to get closer till I can I.D. if the head is triangular ( a common way to tell if it is poisionous) or if there is a rattle, if there is I get out the really long lens..:-)
I’ve been told that there are no poisonous snakes in the park, but I am always quick to look and listen for a rattle. I’m really cautious about snakes in the water, fearing I might encounter a water mocassin.
Or maybe a copperhead..;-)
I think you correctly ID-ed the snake, Mike. According to Kevin Munroe, Park Manager at HMP, “… you can tell by the eye. Northern Black Racers have a huge, all-black eye with an ‘eye-brow’ ridge that makes racers look angry and somewhat dangerous all the time, while Eastern Ratsnakes have noticeably smaller eyes with a black/white pupil/iris pattern which makes them look more friendly/human.” In this case, I think the key field marker is the eye-brow ridge. BTW, there are photos of several Eastern Ratsnakes in the queue of my photoblog, scheduled to be published on 04 May 2014. Stay tuned!
I am glad that I didn’t see the comment about black racers looking “angry and somewhat dangerous” before I got really close. I look forward to seeing your images of a rat snake. I don’t think that I have ever seen one in person.
That first shot’s really good Mike – and snakes always do it for me anyway. Fantastic creatures. I saw an Adder when I was climbing the mountain on Sunday but he scooted off into the undergrowth far too quickly to get a shot.
Snakes are not usually very cooperative, so I was thrilled that this one was so tolerant of my presence.
Well, that’s different. I’ve seen the photographer’s reflection in a water droplet, but never a snake’s eye! Kudos to you.
Thanks. The reflection was not really something I planned, but was a nice plus.
That first shot is great and the reflection a curious bonus. What a stark difference between that and the documentary shot. It’s nice to get the perspective of what you found.
I usually don’t bother with the documentary shot, because I know it won’t be very good. I realized, though, that folks might wonder what the entire snake looked like, and not just its head and simply too a record shot, without giving much thought to composition or any of the other considerations that generally go through my head when shooting.
I love the eye reflection, Mike. And what a beautiful snake, so elegant and sleek. Lovely photos, as always.
Thanks. People seem to either love snakes or have a strong aversion to them. I definitely found this snake to be beautiful and was happy to be able to capture its image so well.
Nice of him to wait for you to change lenses and set up the tripod! My grandmother was always very afraid of snakes and she tried to teach me to be the same but I’ve always been curious about them and always try to get a closer look. That’s a great shot with your reflection in his eye.
The snake seemed relaxed and I spotted him from a pretty good distance off, so that’s why I had the time to prepare. Most of the time, I am virtually on top of a snake and my first indication of its presence is when it starts moving.
Personally I don’t like snakes & rodents. They always startle me. I know the song goes…I don’t like spiders and snakes!
Debbie