Close Contact With A Snake

elfving73elfving73 Registered Users Posts: 941 Major grins
edited May 11, 2006 in Wildlife
Hello friends!
Oh boy what a great day I've had today! This morning I took my youngest boy Elliot (1 year) with me and went to Ågestagården, a open-air activities area nearby where we live. We played around, dipped our toes in the water and just hanged out, basking in the sun. At 10 he got tired, so I tucked him in in his perambualtor. Just as he fell asleep, I turned around and found myself face to face.... or, more like face to toes, with this beautiful grass snake [Natrix Natrix] In Sweden we have only two kinds of snakes, it's a few different species of non venomous grass snakes and one (not very) venomous kind of viper [Vipera Berus].
So, with my son sleeping, I had plenty of time to fire away. Although not venomous, it was quite a thrill lying flat on my belly ca 1 meter away snapping pictures. It was rather agressive at first, and did a few blind strikes into the air. I must admit that it made me recoil a little. :o)
I felt a little like Steve Erwin - "Danger! Danger!" (Daaaindjer Daaaindjer) *Haha*
Tonight, I worked between 16:00-22:00. But before I went for work, I gambled on the hockey game tonight (Sweden - Switzerland). I bet 20 kr on 4-4. At work everything was kinda slow going tonight, so I was able to watch the game! :o) And you know what! It turned out 4-4, with a 67 X the bet. YES! (I NEVER win, NEVER!) But tonight I did!
Aaah! A PERFECT day! Perfect "flow" from the beginning to the end!

Regards / Matty


Canon 10D, Sigma 70-300 f4.0-f5.6 DG Macro

300 mm, f8, 1/500s, ISO 800, handheld

68896226-L.jpg


300 mm, f6.3, 1/500s, ISO 800, handeld
68896223-L.jpg


300 mm, f8, 1/400s, ISO 800, handheld
68896219-L.jpg


214 mm, f8, 1/400s, ISO 800, handheld
68896221-L.jpg


190 mm, f5.6, 1/400s, ISO 800, handheld
68896206-L.jpg

Comments

  • ThusieThusie Registered Users Posts: 1,818 Major grins
    edited May 10, 2006
    EWEEUW a SNAKE.

    Great colors, right pretty for a SNAKEthumb.gifthumbthumb.gif
  • elfving73elfving73 Registered Users Posts: 941 Major grins
    edited May 10, 2006
    Hahahaa! Thanx! I think it's lovely! :):
    Thusie wrote:
    EWEEUW a SNAKE.

    Great colors, right pretty for a SNAKEthumb.gifthumbthumb.gif
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited May 10, 2006
    Wow
    They're all great but #1 is a winner clap.gifclap.gifclap.gif
    Russ
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited May 10, 2006
    Most excellent! thumb.gif I like 'em all.
    I love the way his eyes are on you the entire time.
    Very well done. That looks to be a very interesting lens.

    Regards,
    -joel
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • saurorasaurora Registered Users Posts: 4,320 Major grins
    edited May 10, 2006
    Number 1 is a cool shot! Venom or no venom, I could never have gone belly to belly with a snake!!! Yuck! :uhoh :uhoh (double-yuck)
  • ehughesehughes Registered Users Posts: 1,675 Major grins
    edited May 10, 2006
    Love that 1st shot, Great Job !!!!
    Ed

    www.edhughesphoto.com
  • JimMJimM Registered Users Posts: 1,389 Major grins
    edited May 10, 2006
    Terrific shots!!! Great job!
    Cameras: >(2) Canon 20D .Canon 20D/grip >Canon S200 (p&s)
    Glass: >Sigma 17-35mm,f2.8-4 DG >Tamron 28-75mm,f2.8 >Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro >Canon 70-200mm,f2.8L IS >Canon 200mm,f2.8L
    Flash: >550EX >Sigma EF-500 DG Super >studio strobes

    Sites: Jim Mitte Photography - Livingston Sports Photos - Brighton Football Photos
  • John SloneJohn Slone Registered Users Posts: 37 Big grins
    edited May 11, 2006
    Great series!! My kind of encounter.

    John Slone
    John M. Slone
  • Yvette MarieYvette Marie Registered Users Posts: 57 Big grins
    edited May 11, 2006
    Krikey Mate! Shes a BEAUT!

    LOOOVE snakes.. I'm jealous of your encounter!

    Very well done.. your DOF is spot on!

    Yvette
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited May 11, 2006
    **** "I hate snakes". :D

    Nice series. That 1st one ....
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited May 11, 2006
    wow - that was no baby snake
    beautiful shots! The first three were all spectacular. That was one good sized snake!
  • docwalkerdocwalker Registered Users Posts: 1,867 SmugMug Employee
    edited May 11, 2006
    Great job. I love number 1 as well.
    SmugMug Support Hero
    http://help.smugmug.com
  • CookieSCookieS Registered Users Posts: 854 Major grins
    edited May 11, 2006
    WONDERFUL, I love snakes, and you captured him so well. congrats on your side bet too :)
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 11, 2006
    Excellent set Matty. I guess these would qualify as candids. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited May 11, 2006
    Awesome series Andy, well done.

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited May 11, 2006
    #1 got the slither effect :lol

    the rest are all good

    well done
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
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