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Common Cat Snake


Common Cat Snake
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: 2009-09-16
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D-5000, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, @ ISO 400, SIGMA 62MM EX DG MC UV Filter
Exposure: f/8, 1/1250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna-II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-10-23 1:20
Viewed: 353
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 66
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Telescopus fallax (Common Cat Snake) [in Turk. Kedi Gözlü Yılan]

A few weeks ago, we have conducted a daily photographic adventure to the Nature (Karaburun, Izmir) with my students and we encountered an elegant couple of Common Cat Snake on a tree while they were in sunbathing! I took some shots and will share some of them with you today and next days. Today I am presenting a total appearance…

I also attached two WS while I was photographing them and they were on my shoulders -taken by one of my students, Bahadır.

TFL and have a nice WE!
Cheers,

©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.

Ps. The genus name came after from the Greek and Latin words: tele = 'far' and skopein or scopus = 'to look or see', i.e. the meaning of teleskopos or telescopus is 'far-seeing'
*****************************

Common Cat Snake is one of the member of the family Colubridae (Whip snakes) and a middle sized slender snake, reaching maximum total length of nearly 1 m. The head is flattened, clearly distinct from neck; the eyes are relatively large, with a vertical pupil and yellow iris. The ground colour is creme brown to grey, with a mid-dorsal series of oval brown spots (beginning with an irregular, sometimes triangular spot on the neck) of about the same size of the interspaces and alternating, somewhat paler blotches or transversal to oblique streaks on the flanks. The head is of a distinct colour than the body, mostly greyish with fine black spotting or vermiculation. The belly is creme with irregular black spotting.

Common Cat Snake is distributed in Coastal Balkan, Mediterranean islands, east to Caucasus and Iran, south to Israel. It prefers dry stony habitats, xeric woodland, stony walls, ruins. It is nocturnal, predominantly terrestrial but climbs well. A relatively quiet snake, but under stress ready to bite. The toxin is harmless for humans. The food consists mainly of lizards; occasionally snakes and small rodents are eaten as well.

The taxonomy of this extremely polytypic species with many described forms of uncertain status requires major revision. At present, following subspecies are listed: T. f. fallax (NE Italy, Malta, Balkan Peninsula, W & S Turkey to Amanos Mts ); T. f. iberus (E Europe of the Black Sea, N Anatolia, Caucasus and Iran); T f multisquamatus; T f pallidus; T. f. rhodicus (all from Greek islands); T. f. cyprianus (endemic to Cyprus island) and T. f. syriacus (from the Levant: SE Anatolia, Syria, N Iraq and Israel).

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. Disi, A. M., Modry, D., Necas, P. & Rifai, L. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Edition Chimaira, 408 pp.
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.
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1388 W: 56 N: 4794] (16480)
  • [2009-10-23 1:37]

Hello MF Bayram.
Wonderful work - awesome composition - I really like the shapes and patterns created. Great contrasting tones and depth of field - I like the effect of the blurred background.
Best regards Siggi

Hello MF Bayram, neighbours today,
excellent portrait of this beautifull snake, very sharp and great light, nice natural colors and great DOF,
TFS, best regards,
Nikos.

Dayi muhtesem foto. Ben olsam 100 defa kacardim ordan:)
Eline saglik. Londra'dan selamlar.
Merih

Bayram.. ne guzel dolanmis dala.. pullari herseyi cok net...
Sanki uc boyutlu gibi olmus...
Eline saglik.. hepimizden selamlar.
Leyla.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-10-23 2:10]

Hi Bayram,this pis remember me my trips in Africa..heh..snakes like in Kenya or Madagascar...everywhere...wonderful pic,impressive composition and incredible top sharpness along all the snake,wasn't easy!! My best compliments MF,have a nice day,LUCIANO

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1733 W: 0 N: 3953] (15852)
  • [2009-10-23 2:10]

Hello Bayram,
This is really an excellent snake-shot! And the latin name of the snake is just a poem!
Most beautiful light on this scene and the background too is of great beauty. Nice pictures too in the WS :-)
Bravo!!!
Kind regards
Anne

ouaou my friend Bayram!
a splendid scene and composition, with very good light that functioned decisive in exquisite photographic result, congratulating!
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 657 W: 15 N: 1642] (6387)
  • [2009-10-23 3:00]

Hello Bayram
Wonderful capture with beautiful composition, excellent details, vivid colors and well presented.
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 418 W: 0 N: 1041] (5616)
  • [2009-10-23 3:00]

Hi Baratom Byram!
This is a cool photo, I like the Snake, but from big distance!
Very good sharpness and details!
Have a nice weekend!

  • Great 
  • izida Silver Star Critiquer [C: 28 W: 0 N: 0] (584)
  • [2009-10-23 4:19]

Bayram bey,canigonulden kutlarim..
Mukemmel bir cekim,poz..
Derinligini kesin hissettirmis
Isiginiz bol olsun..

Preciosa fotografia de esta serpiente subiendose en las ramas un gran documento
felicidades
Buen trabajo
un saludo

Ciao Bayram. Absolutely perfect! In stunnong details excellent DOF and focus. Excinting dymamic and bright compo. Indeed a great work MF.

Roberto

Hi Bayram
Excellent studio quality shot...Outstanding natural color, detail and framing against a fine BG...TFS
Jim

Hello friend Bayram,
Very well captured photograph of Common Cat Snake in beautiful surrounding. The details, sharpness & POV are superb. TFS
Regards-Subhash

Bayram hocam, muhteşem çekim. Ben de orda olduğum için kendimle gurur duydum. Teşekkürler hocam.
Elinize sağlık, saygılarımla,
Özgür

hello Bayram
great sharpness composition with good details
very beautiful colours
greeting lou

Merhaba Bayram,

An excellent capture of this Cat Snake with beautiful coloration patterns & details. Great POV, pose & BG. Well done...MF & TFS.

Best salam & regards

Umar

Merhaba amico Bayram, splendid snake with fantastic details and excellent sharpness, great colors, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Bayram
What a great shot this lovely snake!
Great details. lovely colors!
And in the WS....A GREAT COURAGE FROM YOU!
Congratulation!

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3005 W: 162 N: 1005] (2941)
  • [2009-10-23 9:40]

Hello Bayram,
Here we go - so this is your beautiful scarf!!
Fantastic view of this snake clinging on to a thin branch and in beautiful light. Great details and beautiful colours. Excellent timing and a really fine composition!
Many thanks and cheers, Ulla

Excelente trabajo con la luz Bayram; las tonalidades son realmente reales y las texturas, a pesar de la lejanía bien apreciables.
Bien compuesta y un justo equilibrio del conjunto al posicionar perfectamente la diagonal.
A todo esto hay que añadir la rareza de la especie, al menos para mí, por lo que valoro doblemente este documento.
Un abrazo: Josep Ignasi.

Merhaba Bayram MF,

A grea closeup capture of this snake with superb details! I like the great contrast between the colors of the snake and the greenish BG. The sharpness is great and the POV is superb.

Great composition!

best regards,
Paras

Hi Bayram!

My very esteemed friend! I'm pleased to see as you it to do better every time!... I'm happy of have time to see again your works. This is incredible, one very well balanced shot, pride, perfect, with great approach and light. The composition is absolutely perfect. As always, the document annexed is masterly.

Thank you very much MF, I hope you're very well.

Regards, hugs and a Happy WE!

Jesús

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2926 W: 34 N: 8678] (32330)
  • [2009-10-23 13:01]

Hi Bayram. This is a first class picture of the Cat snake. your use of the light shows up the markings on the skin. All with natural looking colours. Well seen and taken TFS.
Nick..

have a good weekend.

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 656 W: 0 N: 228] (4954)
  • [2009-10-23 16:32]

Bayram merhaba,
Gerçekten çok ilginç ve aynı derecede etkileyici bir kompozisyon.Poz,netlik renkler ve ama özellikle de arka plan harika.Workshoptaki fotolar da baya güzel.Emeklerine sağlık.
Spas û pîroz.

Dûrzan

Hi Bayram,
Superb capture of this Common Cat Snake, congratulations.
TFS. Best regards. Ferran.

Hello Bayram,
This Cat Snake is a real beauty! Your photo is excellent, with a good natural blurred background, perfect sharpness and composition. Thanks to Bahadir, we can see where and when the photo of your intro was made! Congratulations to him too! Best regards,
Catherine

A beautiful specimen in a graceful stance Bayram, captured in fine focus and exposure under favourable illumination. However the stance looks a little unnatural here, judging from the placement of head, I think the right stance might be obtained by turning the composition to vertical, 90 degrees clockwise!
Mehmet

Merhaba Bayram
this is one of the most beautiful snake image that i have even seen, really a fantastic shot ! his pose, the colors, the lighting, the BG and composition are splendid, wonderful 3D effect too
Have a great sunday
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 20 N: 1393] (4863)
  • [2009-10-26 18:16]

Hello Bayram,
An eye catching capture of a beautifully colored snake that I'm not at all familiar with. The markings remind me somewhat of a rattlesnake. I like the way you composed the entire snake into your image with fine detail and DOF. Super photo!!
Ron

Merhaba Bayram hocam,

Harika bir an. Bu güzel yılanın vücut bütünlüğünü küçük ama muhteşem kareye sığdırmayı başarmışsınız. Ayrıca yeşil arka fon görüntüsü üzerine mükemmel bir kedi gözlü yılan çekimi olmuş. Elinize emeğinize sağlık.

Saygı ve selamlarımla,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1163 W: 32 N: 1204] (3688)
  • [2009-11-11 8:04]

Burada teknik konuşmuş.Net,keskin ve detaylı.Tümüyle de kadraja sığmış.Ben başından sonuna kadar kadraja sığan yılan çok az çekebildim.
Selamlar,ellerine sağlık..

Merhaba Hocam,
Çok güzel bir model ve çok güzel bir çekim, paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Saygılarımla, Naşit

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