<< Previous Next >>

Sense the Air


Sense the Air
Photo Information
Copyright: Terry Longley (wideload) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 5 N: 1027] (3737)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-09
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Canon 100mm Macro
Exposure: f/11, 1/100 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-26 9:03
Viewed: 667
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)

The grass snake is the largest reptile in the UK, it grows to about one metre in length. Favourite habitat being damp areas around ponds, reservoirs and marshland.

They feed mostly on amphibians and small fish. If threatened, they sometimes feign death by laying still, but can rear up in mock attack, hissing. They also excrete a foul-smelling substance, especially when handled, otherwise they are completely harmless to man.
The females mate at most every other year, but can live to 25 years of age. Unlike the other native British snakes, they lay eggs and incubate them until they hatch in late summer.

In warm weather they can be seen basking in the sun. Like all snakes, they are cold-blooded and can only be active and hunt when they raise their body temperature in this way.

Size: Length; males up to 90 cm, females up to 130 cm.
Description: Variable colour, usually olive-green, but grey or brown is not unusual. Characteristic orange or yellow collar around the neck.
Young: 10 - 40 eggs laid in June or July, incubated by the female. Hatched in August or September and immediately independent.
Diet: Frogs, toads, newts, lizards, voles and small fish.

Taken at The BWC

Note Courtesy the BWC
Arjun, claudine, mariki, timonejoon, JoseMiguel, horia has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 299 W: 3 N: 735] (3444)
  • [2008-02-26 9:05]

hi terry,
a brilliant capture of this snake.amazing sharpness and great composed portrait..shot in a good moment.
TFS

Hi Terry,
This is great; I like it! What a good timing you had to capture it with its tongue out! This is one of the best snake shots I have seen :) Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 0 N: 926] (7973)
  • [2008-02-26 9:23]

Hi Terry,

Impressive close-up of this snake. Great sharpness and very effective shot. My compliments!

regards,
Zeno.

nice close up, TFS Ori

bonjour terry
excellent portrait,je n'aime pas vraiment les serpent mais vu comme cela c'est extra.
laurent

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3452 W: 144 N: 5895] (17468)
  • [2008-02-26 11:23]

Brilliant capture Terry. It's an excellent close-up of the snake. You show her off so sharply and clearly - well done
Janice

Hi Terry

Wohooo, ye it is a nice shot with everything under control and a very good composition and nice details. as italian say: perfecto.
Well done
TFS
Babak

Hi Terry,
A magnificent macro!
I like a lot the close approach and sharp details got here.
You took good advantage of the tongue when making this very well balanced composition.
Congratulations and thanks for share.
My best regards,
JM

Hello Terry,

Great portrait of this snake. Excellent sharpness. Wonderful colours. The contrast against this uniform background is excellent.
Well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • badar Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 109 W: 0 N: 168] (785)
  • [2008-02-27 7:58]

Hi Terry,
Fantastic, Gripping details, the tongue flick is special.
TFS
Badar

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2082 W: 216 N: 3759] (12474)
  • [2008-02-28 12:54]

Hello Terry

I can't wait to see these fellows again this year, too :)
I managed to find a nice place last year in which i know there's a pretty good sized population of this species and i'm hoping to go there this year and if all goes well, i'll be taking some nice shots :)

Until then, though, i take pleasure in watching this great photo of yours.
I love the details here as well as the timing - capturing it with its tongue flicking. The beautiful and contrasting black stripes on the sides of the head are also terrific and attract the viewer's eye, while that superb eye (with its round pupil) stands out nicely, too.
The general light in the picture is also very good and it works well in showing the smoothness of the scales but also in creating that lovely catchlight in its eye.
All-in-all: an outstanding portrait!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 763 W: 58 N: 631] (6502)
  • [2008-02-28 23:54]

Bonjour,
Un beau détail, belle netteté et intéressante attitude de la tête.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF