Smooth Green snake ( Opheodrys vernalis )

As I connect to all 3 of them I will start here. This is an artistic mirror green  snake , the white BG is perfect! Very nice.

Jack,

I had similar thoughts myself. The serpent does seem to loom large in our subconscious and figure prominently in our mysticism. I'm thinking that there are limitless designs which could be constructed in this manner.

Pnina,

Every time I get on my lawn tractor and mow my 3 acres of lawn I encounter many types of small creatures, mostly reptiles and amphibians, which inhabit the grass. I hate the thoughts of hurting any of these creatures so I keep an eye out and when I spot a frog or toad or snake I either pick it up and move it to safety or if I suspect that it will still be in danger I will temporarily move the creature to a pail or basin set aside in the shade until the lawn is mowed and the tractor parked. I will then return them to where they were found. Since I have been in need of practice with my recently acquired macro ring flash. I have, as of late, subjected the denizens of my lawn to a brief portrait session before releasing them. A piece of white foam core mat board in the bottom of a translucent plastic tub, some diffused sunlight and a ring flash and this is what you get. Just a bit of fun really :-)

Photographed on a piece of white foam core board in the bottom of a

translucent pail using a macro ring light. The snake was then

promptly released back into my yard where I had found it while mowing

the lawn. Thanks for any feedback... much appreciated.

Portrait session sound great ,as the green snake was a good  model!;-))

Belgium embroidery makers will be jealous :). Beautiful. :) ...and so neat...magical...LOVE IT.

......or very clever mimicry of a special kind  ...:)

Very cool photo, nicely done at just the right moment (as if you were planning the double image).

Very good.

Pnina,

I always have better results with non human models. They tend to be much easier to get along with.

Tatjana,

I do see a type of filigree pattern developing.  If I flip this head to tail of few times it makes a sort of border effect.

Stephen,

Thanks for the visit. While I would love to lay claim to that degree of foresight, the notion did not occur to me until I was looking at the image on my monitor.

Claudio,

Thanks.

Beautiful and fascinating, Gordon. Kudos!

How big was this creature?

Cheers ~

Alberta

Hi Alberta,

Smooth green snakes are not very large this was a big one at around 16 inches long. They are very calm, docile, easy to handle snakes. Because they blend in so well with their surroundings I seldom see one, although I know that they should be common in the lawn and pastures.

Thanks for the visit.

Cheers Gord

I usually take marks off for over-doing the Photoshop stuff, but in this case it makes for a stunning effect.  Not to mention your subject-wow!  As you already stated, smooth greens should be pretty common, but darned if I ever found one growing up in the thick of their territory.  Smashing image.

Drew,

Thanks

Jeff,

I tend to steer clear of photoshop tomfoolery myself, however while working up this file I just could not resist the temptation to flip a mirror version. I can only think of 3 occasions where I have seen a smooth green snake in my lifetime. Between their fabulous camouflage and their speed they are a challenge to locate. BTW love your underwater photography.