First Rattlesnake of the year :-)

Well, I'm off in the southern coast of Texas working on a photography contest with another professional photography friend of mine, and part of the contest includes herps. So I am having a blast spending a couple hours mid day and mid evening working in the field collecting herps and what not, managed a couple lizard species thus far, and one snake (but a nice dangerous one!) C. Atrox, or commonly known - Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. I had been chasing this guy for two days after seeing him flee into a large pack of cactus. Then finding shedding from him the next morning. That afternoon it was ON and sure enough, I had to tip a deer stand but I got him!

http://reptileexperts.com/Crotpre.jpg

then after storing him in a sealed tub indoors with me under careful lock and key, we brought him out for some shots in a controlled natural setting where we could set lighting as needed . . .

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8...2f6714cb_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8...3bea7315_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8...339ab6b1_c.jpg

and the big finale shot

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8...7e0e51df_b.jpg

All in all a great snake to work with, and a real gem of a species. Venomous has always held a special place in my heart, and any time I get to work with a wild snake I am the happiest person alive

http://reptileexperts.com/_MG_9638.jpg

Cheers

That 4th picture is amazing!!

An outrage if that one doesn't win the contest :)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8...52c8ff97_c.jpg
Another shot from this morning

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8...92da5dd6_c.jpg
and what happens when the rattlesnake decides it wants your camera . . . you go ahead and give it to him. This was moments before he bit the flash twice and almost decided to bite the lens! he was not a happy camper . . .

I had to save the one with the sun setting. That's beyond beautiful and needs to be made into a poster or something!!

Gorgeous snake and even better pics.

Beautiful snake and great pictures! Love me some Crotalus or any other rattler genus of any kind!

Thanks guys, the photoshoots went fairly well up until he decided to kill my flash! Part of the risks I suppose :-)

They always look so ticked off though...but love them!

Gorgeous shots there and there are few things more impressive than a pissy Rattler! If you don't mind me asking though, do you have a larger version of the 2nd picture? I'd love to use it for my desktop background.

Once again, great photo shoot and great find!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MisterKyte

Gorgeous shots there and there are few things more impressive than a pissy Rattler! If you don't mind me asking though, do you have a larger version of the 2nd picture? I'd love to use it for my desktop background.

Once again, great photo shoot and great find!

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www.flickr.com/codyconway the high rez is on there for people to access (not large print quality but higher than enough rez for HD monitors up to 1080p - even retina displays). Just find the image, click it, then click the zoom icon, then select original. Right click - set as desktop.

Thanks Guys!

Nice pics! How come you use Hexarmor gloves whilst hooking? Lol.

Nice pictures, that sunset one is sweet!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crotalids

Nice pics! How come you use Hexarmor gloves whilst hooking? Lol.

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The gloves were being used while shooting photography since I was laying on my belly about 6-7' away with no immediate exit. This was the end of the photo shoot so I hooked him to put him back in transport before releasing him the final day. I've been young and dumb before -

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4024/4...fea1fa22_o.jpg
(please do not attempt!!! This is highly dangerous)

Now a days, I'm always trying to be on the safety standpoint for the well being of myself, and the animals. Minimum hands on if any, and gloves were my "last resort" method of defense should I have needed them while on the ground should he come at me (like he did when the camera had to get left behind!)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Nice pictures, that sunset one is sweet!

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One of my absolute favorites as well mike!

Due, dude, DUUUUUDE. I love your photography. <3 Just spent way too much time browsing your gallery.

You should browse it again. Just updated it with shots from South America last night at my hotel in Quito.


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Amazing pictures! I tip my hat to you sir!

Very nice pictures. One day I plan on getting a good digital camera. I'm never lucky enough to find snakes to take pictures of.

Get a good field guide for your area and learn habitat types. Once you find the proper habitat you should start finding stuff with persistence.


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Beautiful shots. Can't wait to look at them on the computer, little phone screen not doing justice :)

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Make sure to visit the links!


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