A sharp-eyed fellow photographer spotted this Northern Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) at eye level in a tree at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge this past Wednesday as we both were searching for dragonflies. The sun was shining brightly and I suspect the snake was basking in its warm on a relatively cool day. I managed to capture a few shots of this colorful snake before it silently slithered away.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Outstanding works of art here, Mike. I like how relaxed the snake is, resting on a branch junction. We get the size perspective with the limb, and the autumn color suggestions in the background. Shafts of light, scales. Wonderful.
Thanks, Jet. You have pointed out many of the reasons why I like the shots. I was just talking with a photographer friend of mine, though, and pointing out how uneven the light was and how the direct sunlight blew out the details on part of the snake’s body. In some ways I look at my images like Olympic judges do with figure skaters–I give myself marks for both artistic impression and for technical merit. If I were doing studio photography, I could control more of the variables and shoot a technically “perfect” image, but that is not what I do. I try to creative shoot the situations I am given and make compromises as necessary. In this case, I am pretty happy with how I was able to capture the disparate elements in this little scene.
Outstanding indeed … especially when you zoom in. Very nice Mike!