Surprise on the Return Path!

Comments are valued above ratings but leave both if it moves you:)

Best, LM.

the flash probably scared it.

Jack, Scared IT? Good thing I was using electronic flash since I was probably doing a little shaking myself. Yah, may have screwed up his night vision for a bit, not that I would count on it & get any closer:) Thanks for your comment. Best, LM.

Gee, Len, I was expecting an eye-level shot for this ... :-)

 

Nice S-curve waiting to serve up some toxin. Was this night time? Did you hear the rattler? Must have been an encounter!

Whoa, that's a scary story. Good that none of you paid for the picture and dance lesson. If I were you, hmm... I prefer furry animals! (it seems that you were so close to this guy)

Arthur, It was indeed after sundown. Get down in his element? No way! In truth, they are a rather docile species which would likely only strike after physical contact with you. Stepping on one would qualify. Yah, the 'S' curve, that's what intrigued me! *** sound of laughing*** Best, LM.

kay c, I hope no one saw us dancing around in the woods like a couple of fairies, arms waving and camera gear flailing around on the path to the parking lot. When we saw that he (she?) wasn't going to form a hoop & chase after us :) we calmed down enough to realize we had cameras and could record this rare event. Oh, to have had a slave flash to provide a little backlight and therefore a little more modeling. They are so well camouflaged it's difficult to get a good shot of them. I mean, look at the colour of his dark spots and the colour of the path. I didn't hear him initially but Greg, being in the lead, did at the same time he spotted this creature. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Best, LM.

Hi Len,

 

Fairies?...You can speak for yourself on that one! ;^) You got a nice sharp shot of him/her and a profile shot of his head which I haven't managed of a rattler yet as they have had their heads pointed straight at me anytime I have tried to capture a shot of one. My flash reflects off the white area on their faces and loses detail. This would be a good shot to identify the snake if you weren't able to see the rattle. I'm told that these are members of the Pit Viper family because they have visible pit sensors behind their eyes somewhere. a close inspection of this shot would probably reveal those pits. In this case, I don't think there's any question as to whether it was really a rattlesnake or not!

Greg, A little embellishment always makes a story more interesting but I must admit, you are correct, I don't recall you waving your arms :) As for a close up, NOT! Actually it would have been possible if I'd had my 100-300 zoom as it also focuses to 5 ft. Won't be so lazy next time & leave it behind. Besides, I could use the exercise. Best, LM.

Wow ....... !

 

What kind is it ? ........... Have never seen one this color - cool.

Ken, This is a Massasauga Rattlesnake, a protected species in these parts & the first one I've ever encountered in the wild. (doesn't need protection from me as I head 180 deg. from the direction he is headed in) Currently there is a person charged with killing one and, if convicted, could face a $250,000 fine and 5 years in jail. (not as bad as it seems as it's in Canadian Dollars :) but the time is global) As I've said, they are rather docile but stepping on one would probably be a deal breaker. Thanks for stopping by. Don't be a stranger! Best, LM.

I'm sorry, but if this creature bites my ankle, he's dead meat and I'll fry him for dinner and still plead self-defense in court.

Lannie, If he bites your ankle you might not feel like dinner. I believe the wonton killing of one of these creatures is the nub of the law prohibiting this act. I don't think killing one in self defence or accidentally would be held against you. Like Indiana Jones, I hate snakes! Having encountered one in the wild for the first time and knowing they are rare and endangered has modified my feelings toward them though. Best, LM.

In photo like this not the quality, to catch the moment is most important. You have done well, didn't run away, like, I guess, I would do.

Bravo to brave photographer!

It just occured to me how terrified this guy was to run into 'you 2' on the path ........ !!

 

I know it would scare the hell out of me ..

Galina, To get around this fellow I had to walk through some tall grass. I remember thinking at the time, "I wonder if he has any 'friends' close by?" It was a little disconcerting to say the least. Thanks for taking the time. Best, LM.

Ken, Greg & I?..........No problem! Now, if I was with Mervin ! .................. What did you say your new address was? :) Best, LM.

Touche' Len .......... seeing 2 of these snakes and a cheetah would not be as intimidating ....... as 1 Mervin - agreed.

 

 

Gorgeous creature! ....

No harm no foul but...

No one can prosecute you if they don't find the carcass!

Leann, Apparently the murdered snake was part of a wildlife study & had been tagged with a transmitter or similar locator that led the authorities right to the perp's door. (why he kept the carcass is unclear) So the snake tagged him as surly as if it was still alive. Ain't technology beautiful? :) Thanks for dropping by. Best, LM.

Len, to show you that I understand your feeling well, this is what we met one day:http://www.pbase.com/galina_stepanova/image/34434058

Different size and different taste so :))

Best wishes and... be careful!

Galina, Yes, a very dramatic discovery. Who could resist the shot? The frog (toad?) should not have asked the snake to say ahhh! Big mistake! I'd like to see what the snake looked like when he finished dinner:( Thanks for sharing that one. Best, LM.

A lesson in nature, Len. I didn't know Canada had indigenous poisonous snakes! Good thing they don't speak French. :-)

Michael, They speak a universal language. French, English, or Chinese, all would have no trouble understanding them:) Best, LM.

Canada does not have ingenious snakes ............. It does has ingenious people though.