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Common Dwarf Snake for JOE


Common Dwarf Snake for JOE
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5112 W: 178 N: 12574] (34327)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-11
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Exposure: f/3.2, 1/200 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Joe's Favourites 2, Turkish Herpetofauna-II, Bayram's Dedications-II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-10-15 12:55
Viewed: 1358
Points: 56
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Eirenis modestus (Common Dwarf Snake) [in Turk. Uysal Yılan] (A Portrait of a female)

I would like to dedicate this photo to our friend, Joe Kellard (joey) for his great contribution to TN and us, since he has reached 20,000 pts today! Congratulations Joe! This one is for you:-). Hoping you can like this!

TFL!
Cheers,

Bayram

PS. The blueish colour of the eye stemning from the sloughing and indicates that this process would be start in a short term.

*****************************

Eirenis (Dwarf Snakes) is a genus of snake in the Colubridae (Whip Snakes) family. It contains approximately 20 species that most of them are found in Anatolia and are endemics to there or Middle East region. They are have a secretive lifestyle and due to this lifestyle the biologies of these non-venomous, docile snakes remains fairly unknown. They are usualy found under stones and most are active in a short period (sometimes 3-4 weeks) of the year. They generaly prefer low temperatures (during the months of April & May) with some exceptions like Eirenis coronella (Crowned Dwarf Snake, that this species is the southernmost representative of the genus, with the highest resistance to high temperatures and aridity).

In my shot the Common Dwarf Snake (Eirenis modestus) is seen. Its range includes the W and Medirettanean regions of Turkey plus some Greek islands along the coast of Anatolia including Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Alzonisi in the Fournoi group, Leros, Kalymnos and Symi).

Adult snakes reaches up to 60cm, including tail, but usually smaller. A small, graceful pencil-thin snake with the head poorly differentiated from the body and round pupils. Back scales smooth. Upper parts uniform grey, grey-yellow to sandy brown, the centre of the scales lighter than their edges. Top of head with a large dark blotch enclosing a pair of light spots or an often zig-zag light transverse stripe just behind the eyes A dark crescent-shaped band on the neck that is separated from the head blotch by a light band and has an often light border behind. Belly scales whitish to light grey with a strong gloss. Back scales in 17 rows at mid-body.

It is found in dry places with sparse vegetation including both fallow and cultivated land and also wooded places, where it tends to occur in the drier areas. Shelters under stones and in rock crevices and several may sometimes be found together. Active especially at twilight but may occasionally be seen in shady places, such as in thickets, during the day. Quite slow and not very shy. Hunts actively for invertebrates and eats especially spiders, but also centipedes, insects, scorpions and small lizards. Lays 3-8 elongated relatively large eggs, 31-38mm long. Newly hatched young are up to 12cm long.

References:

1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Schmidler, J. F. (1993). Systematics and Phylogeny of the eirenis-modestus-complex in south Anatolia (Serpentes, Colubridae). Spixiana, 1611, 79-96
4. Atatür, M. K & Göçmen, B. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus (1st Edition), Ege Üniversitesi, Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 170, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 63 pp.
5. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
6. Arnold, N.E. (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe.Collins, London, UK, 288 pp.
nglen, siggi, Juyona, LordPotty, Gert-Paassen, bahadir, cypturk, jaycee, eqshannon, crs, kaytan, zulfu, matatur, maurydv, jpdenk, xTauruSx, CeltickRanger, nkasot, uleko, yasemin, montivipera, SMYRNA has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jpdenk: Hi & Thanksboreocypriensis 2 10-18 09:09
To betsie: Hi Betsieboreocypriensis 1 10-17 02:00
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2926 W: 34 N: 8678] (32330)
  • [2008-10-15 12:58]

Hi Bayram. I am sure Joe will like this very much. You have taken a fine close up of the dwarf snake. Excellent detail in the eye and skin. with natural colours and good POV. wel ldone TFS.
Nick..

Merhaba Bayram, splendid portrait of beautiful snake with fantastic eye, great colors and amazing details, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1388 W: 56 N: 4794] (16480)
  • [2008-10-15 13:18]

Hello Bayram,
Very fascinating this snake in the eye of which we almost can see the photographer. Excellent sharpness on the head and Very good background.
Regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2270 W: 10 N: 2658] (15659)
  • [2008-10-15 13:20]

Hola Bay,
estupendo realismo y fino pov,
detalles y buen foco...
saludos amigo

Great capture of this little snake Bayram.
Natural looking colour and good composition.
A nice dedication for Joe.
Well done.
Steve

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2008-10-15 14:04]

Hi my friend,today you show a very very nice portrait,and what a perfect moment to take,a top class pic,my best compliments and thanks again for the your work always interesting,have a good night,Luciano

Hi little bro Bayram,

Great close up from these little snake.
Good pov and great details.

Gert

Mükemmel ve zamanlı bir kare Bayram hocam. Bu ara dile taktınız anlaşılan. Detaylar, renkler, kontrastlık ve kompozsiyon harika olmuş. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Ola Uncle Bayram:)
your photo is effective in soliciting emotion. Well framed. The sharp focus on the head and tongue amazing. TFS.
Warm regards...
Merih

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-10-15 15:57]

Hi L'il Bro,

Such a nice dedication to Joe - he will surely appreciate it. This lady is beautiful. She really is a pretty one. Her colors are lovely and her eye is magnificent. I love the shades and patterns of her skin. As always you present her with fine details and in a nice composition.

Jane

Superior work from an educated man...as always...well done as natural as breathing...but with just a tad of after Kindergarten instruction:-) Like as in PhD! Good show. I am privileged to know you even if only via the net..
Bob

Hello Bayram

A beautiful little snake,the textures and details show well.
Very good timing to get the tongue out like that.
Nicely composed in the frame.
The colours are natural and vivid.
TFS

Wolf

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2008-10-15 21:39]

Hi Bayram,
Another outstanding shot of a snake with immaculate sharpness, colours and details. The scales are so distinct and I like the intense eye and the slippery tongue. Great illumination and DOF. It must have made Joey so happy for the dedication.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1073 W: 0 N: 162] (870)
  • [2008-10-15 23:00]

Hello Hocam, superb shot of this pretty dwarf snake with wonderful details and sharpness in its natural environment.
TFS and regards,
Mehmet

Hello Bayram,

Excellent close-up of this snake. Great timing. Excellent reproduction of the textures. Very good colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-10-16 1:06]

Hi Geckoman!!!
Thanks very much for this kind dedication to me! :-))))
It is an excellent photo.
Great colours.
Sharp and crisp.

Thankyou!!
Joe

A good portrait of our "modest" snake in a fine pre-sloughing condition Bayram, you've caught the moment nicely my friend. The OOF natural surroundings enhances the composition. Good work indeed!
Mehmet

Ciao Bayram,
complimenti per la dedica; eccellenti POV e composizione, ottimo momento di cattura, molto buona la definizione della texture della pelle, molto belli e naturali i colori e BG.
TFS.
Maurizio

Hi Bayram,

An attractive animal, and a nice shot of its head.

Why does the genus Eirenis have the name Dwarf Snakes? Are they all small? Actually, 60 cm isn't that small, maybe that's small compared to other snakes there. Here, most snakes are small, so that one doesn't sound small to me.

John

Bayram Hocam, doğal ortamdaki renkler ve uysal yılanımızın renkleri çok uyumlu olmuş. Detaylar ve dilin hareketi de hissediliyor. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-10-16 9:49]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,

You have made a fine portret of the snake showing well the pattern and colors of it's skin. The image is very sharp so that even finest scales can be well observed. Is the blueish color of the eye proving it is going to slough?

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

hello Bayram

another excellent portrait shot oa a snake, with a fine POV,
beautiful luminosity, excellent sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

You make this snake come alive with this photo Bayram. Good shot!!
Regards
Betsie

Bu daçok güzel olmuş. Tam da dil dışarda. Yilanlarin en güzellerinden biri uysal yilan. Çekinmeden tutabildiğim tek yilan:). Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3005 W: 162 N: 1005] (2941)
  • [2008-10-17 7:39]

Hello Bayram,
Very impressive capture of this Grass Snake with great focus on the blueish eye! Excellent details and beautiful colours of the skin too. Interesting note too as usual.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Merhaba canim kardesim.
Harika bir portre ve mukemmel bir cekim...Detaylar ve kompozisyon muthis...Emegin ve paylasim icin sagol.
Sevgiyle kucakliyorum.
Leyla

Merhaba Hocam,
Güzel bir kare olmuş, elinize sağlık.
Saygılarımla, Naşit.

:))))))) annneeeeeeeeee... diye bağırırım buna... dil dışarda tüyleriim diken diken oldu. Hayret adamsın vesselam.
Gökhan

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