A Manly Wildflower Photograph

How do you take a manly wildflower photo? Hit the shutter once you're

laying on your stomach and a Mojave Green pops up out of the bed of

flowers and scares the crap out of you! This was my first rattle snake

sighting besides seeing them cross the road all the time while driving in

the desert! Luckily I shot in burst mode the moment I... saw it and a few

more frames after I jumped back. I didn't know they were so mean and

puff up to make themselves look bigger.

 

I get the hardest time from some of my good non photographer friends

because I'm shooting wildflowers here and there so I'll have to show

them this one.

 

These Mojave Greens were pretty much discovered in the Antelope

Valley, California in the early 70's. They can be wicked beasts and have

two kinds of toxins in their bite. They are all over the place here now.

They are Sagebrush green, short and fat but seemed to change color

slightly to the surroundings.

 

I heard a distinct loud whizz sound before I heard the constant rattle,

apparently it was the rattles first sound.

Great shot -- potential death amongst all that beauty.  I would have been even more impressed if this had been taken with a 20mm rather than 200mm.

I could put you in place for that 20mm shot Stephen!  He's probably 90% more likely to bite the glass then your hand or face.  Thanks Stephen.

well done

Fantastic capture, Steve ... congrats

............. this would have sure scared the cr*p out of me. Considering the occaision (background story) this is an outstanding capture that I hope silences your critics (friends).

Well done.

Regards

Now this is making lemonade out of lemons.

Great shot! Focus on the snake is perfect.

Yeah, seriously, snakes don't stay in this posture very long -- they rather quickly settle down but remain alert, and will raise back up only if provoked (speaking from experience here).  That you were able to get this snake in this pose, with the tongue sniffing the air, is as classic as one can get.  Then to have it at eye level and amid a profusion of flowers -- it really is a remarkable photograph.

A powerful image that elicits a lot of emotion for sure.  Beautiful rich colors and sharp focus on the serpent.  Compositionally, I'd like to see a bit of the left side cropped.  The balance seems a bit skewed, but then you obviously didn't have a lot of time to study the scene.  A very fine image though.

Nice color blending with the flowers and snake. Very powerful and scary image that I don't want to be around it. Too sharp and really a keeper. Thanks for showing.

20mm or 200mm, I'm not sure I would have gotten the shot.  An absolutely fantastic photo... Mike

Amazing shot!!

it is very pleasant to sometimes stumble upon an interesting photograph

I seen a Mojave Green just once and felt like I was lucky to see it.  No, I did not have a camera handy because of too much blowing dust.

A lifetime capture – a remarkable shot. A poisonous wild snake amidst beautiful wildflowers. This is a photograph with really effective dof, charming color tonality and revealing foreground and background. 25 years ago, I had a similar experience, while shooting butterflies. But I couldn’t capture the image so masterfully. This shot with a 20mm lens? That may be Stephen’s imagination but in reality that might be the last shot of the photographer. Top score … Best regards.

An excellent, top bracket, wildlife shot, congratulations on the shot and avoiding what might have followed. Shows how we should all respect our environment. 

I wish I could see it full size! The snake looks so cute, looking at her front I didn't recognize the rattle kind! I would keep out of that valley!

PDE

Simply excellent capture, Steve...my best

SWEEEEEEET Shot.

I am not sure I get this! I guess we all place people / things in unusual places to get out of context shots. Is it good? Yes! Is it many? I don't think so.

Great shot!

awesome

Grayham, 

Thanks, it was a pretty interesting moment down in that bed of flowers.  Here is something I didn't notice until after I finished the web file, the rattle is in view and blurred from it's movement.  It's the same shape of the purple lupines but only a dead baige color. 

 

Steve

OMG..!!! this is so dreaded.. This guys looks like to punch any time.. Spectacular timing shot.. I can't wait to add to my favorite list.

Hans, 

Funny you mention that quote but I had slept on that morning partly because the poppies don't fully open up until the sunlight gets bright enough.  I use to live in the Mojave Desert not too far away for a short period of time in my life and know how windy it often is.  I've been adapted to the wind here and was working a faster shutter speed so it was luck that helped the camera settings to be just right.  Shoving a little taunt for the macho critiquers, now that's just a fun way of joking so I hope no one takes it to the core.  Thanks.

Steve