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A Dangerous Beauty for GOLDY :)


A Dangerous Beauty for GOLDY :)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4126 W: 156 N: 5397] (14410)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-05
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Dedications at Trek Nature part Four, Turkish Herpetofauna-II, Bayram's dedications [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-13 0:46
Viewed: 820
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 64
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Macrovipera lebetina obtusa (Blunt-nosed/ Levantine Viper) [in Turk. Koca Engerek] (A Portrait of Subadult Female) #5

Dear Friends, I have to admit that I love all kinds of vipers:) but I admire this species, Levantine Viper and this female subadult seems “cute” for me:) because a larger one has been “kissed me” approx. 6 years ago:). You can reach more info on this subject clicking here. May be this portrait shot of the subadult female which I uploaded yesterday can show her beauty:D.

Today, I would like to dedicate this dangerous beauty’s shot to my beloved, heartfelt and also my “L’il Brother” in TN, Goldy RS (goldyrs) who has uploaded his 100th posting yesterday, a 1st milestone in TN, for his valuable contributions to TN. Congratulations My L’il Bro Goldy! I wish you all the best and more 100’s with together!

Cheers,

Bayram

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

It is a large, mainly nocturnal, stout-bodied viper with a maximum length about 1.80 m [click here to see an adult individual]. The head is large, with blunt nose, triangular, clearly distinct from neck. The eyes are large, with a vertical pupil and yellowish to brownish iris. The tail is relatively short, especially in females. The head covered with only small, strongly keeled scales (no plates!). The body scales are also strongly keeled ordered into 23-27 rows at midbody (25-27 in M. l. obtusa). Ventral and subcaudal plate numbers is varied between 126-181 and 33-58 respectively. These numbers are also showed a sexual dimorphism: 127-177 ventrals in males, 152-181 in females, 33-51 (males)/29-58 (females) paired subcaudal plates plus one conical scale at the tail tip. The dorsum is gray or brownish-grey, with dark, sometimes indistinct (especially in M. l. lebetina from Cyprus), often blackish to brownish large maculations, which are sometimes two pieced, and their edges surrounded with dun-colored bands, their middles brick red. Head uniform above, with a sometimes indistinct band running from the eye to the mouth angle. There is a row of dark maculations on flanks. Belly is whitish to grayish brown, with dark gray spots.

This species is a ground-dweller, diurnal in colder periods, nocturnal in the hottest periods. Often it is encountered on roads during the night time in summer. It is seen frequently in flat meadows or pastures without trees and rocky places, ruins, cultivated fields and gardens. It feeds mainly on rodents, other small mammals, birds, lizards and occasionally even other snakes. It is rather shy, but ready to bite if cornered. When disturbed, it starts the typical body coils are arranged in a double crescent, with the concave side including “S”-curved neck and ready-to-strike head turned towards the enemy. Due to the effectiveness and large volume of the venom, it is the most dangerous snake of Turkey (with the subspecies of obtusa which I photographed here). In Turkey, the abundances of all viper species (around 15 species belonging to the three different genera: Montivipera, Vipera and Macrovipera) are extremely low. Therefore, it is evident that all vipers are endangered and needs protection.

Blunt-nosed viper is distributed in the Near and Middle East from Levantine coast to Kazakhstan and Pakistan, with a relict occurrence in N. Africa (Tunisia and Algeria with the subspecies of M. l. transmediterranea) with a vertical distribution of 0-2000m asl. This polymorphic species is represented 4 currently recognized subspecies: nominotypic (Cyprus), obtusa (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, east to west Pakistan and Afganistan-In Turkey it is found in E Mediterranean Region, E and SE Anatolia), M. l. transmediterranea (Tunisia and Algeria) and M. l. turanica (Kazakhstan, N Iran and Afghanistan).

Ps. In addition to mentioned above information the Cypriotic and Anatolian Blunt-Nosed Vipers were distinctly different in terms of the number of Supraoculars, the number of scales arranged in a ring around the eyes (circumoculars) and the number of ventral plates. the nominate subspecies (restricted to Cyprus) is distinguished from M. l. obtusa, by a lower number of ventral plates and a smaller body size.

References:
1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Göçmen, B., Arikan, H., Mermer, A., Langerwerf, B. & Bahar, H. (2006). Morphological, Hemipenial and Venom Electrophoresis Comparisons of Levantine Viper, Macrovipera lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758) from Cyprus and Southern Anatolia. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 30 (2): 225-234.
3. Göçmen, B., Arikan, H., Özbel, Y., Mermer, A. & Çiçek, K. (2006). Clinical, physiological and serological observations on human folowing Macrovipera lebetina lebetina envenomating. Türkiye Parazitoloji Dergisi (Acta Parasitologica Turcica), 30 (2): 158-162.
4. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
5. Disi, A. M., Modry, D., Necas, P. & Rifai, L. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Edition Chimaira, 408 pp.
6. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
7. Arikan, H., Göçmen, B., Mermer, A. & Bahar, H. (2005). An electrophoretic
comparison of the venoms of a colubrid and various viperid snakes from Turkey and
Cyprus, with some taxonomic and phylogenetic implications. Zootaxa, 1038: 1-10.
8. Arikan, H., G., Göçmen, B., Kumlutas, Y., Alpagut-Keskin, N., Ilgaz, Ç. & Yildiz, M. Z. (2008). Electrophoretic characterisation of the venom samples obtained from various Anatolian snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae, Viperidae, Elapidae). North-Western Journal of Zoology, 4 (1): 16-28.
zulfu, nkasot, Silvio2006, cypturk, xTauruSx, bahadir, haraprasan, spalaxtr, Juyona, maurydv, jaycee, nglen, Amadeo, yasemin, Jamesp, cataclysta, rousettus, goldyrs, rajvanshrashmi, Gert-Paassen, montivipera, jpdenk, eng55, iris, kaytan, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To iris: Hi Silpaboreocypriensis 1 07-17 23:54
To gerbilratz: :)boreocypriensis 2 07-13 13:15
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 570 W: 0 N: 100] (609)
  • [2008-07-13 1:17]

Harika bir portre olmuş hocam. Allah için tüm güzelliği ortada:p Sizi öpe öpe aşık etmiş kendine anlaşılan... hehe.. Elinize sağlık...
Selamlar, Mehmet

Perfectly captured and detailed close-up shot with a marvelous BG and POV Bayram hocam. Many thanks for sharing this. Great Sunday!
Greetings from Cyprus
Nazım

Hello bayram uncle, Good shot of this snake and very nice dedication. I am afraid of snake but in the picture. vignesh

Another great macro of a small but venomous viper with amazing details and splendid sharpness... the eye is magnificent:D well done... warm regards, cypturk

hello bayram,
excellent capture and a nice dedication to goldy, i can see each the scales and the eyes look great,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Müthiş etkileyici bir makro hocam. Pul detayları ayrıca gözdeki pigment dağıoılımı dahi belirgin. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

Merhaba hocam. Mükemmel bir makro daha. Elinize sağlık. Goldy'e de zamanlı bir dedikasyon olmuş. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Hi Bayram
This guy isnt even looking at me and I get the chills. I like the lovely marbled effect in her eye and the contrast on the skin.
Cheers
Sue

Hi Friend,
A very good portrait shot of this dangerous viper snake. Very well composed with sharp details. A nice dedication for Goldy. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Bayram merhaba,
Bu sefer daha kısa bir ayrılıktan sonra tekrar sayfalara bi bakayım dedim ve senin bu nefis makronu gördüm. Sürüngen fotoları bir Herpetoloğun elinden çıkınca daha bi güzel oluyor. Eline sağlık. Selamlar
Mustafa

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2083 W: 6 N: 2089] (13483)
  • [2008-07-13 5:53]

Hola amigo,
interesante macro,
buen pov y definición...
excelente dedicatoria,
saludos

Spettacolare primo piano di questa vipera, eccellenti POV e composizione che mostrano perfettamente i fini dettagli della pelle e la pupilla verticale, bellissimi i colori e stupendo BG. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao maurizio

Hi Bayram, hope you used a long lens for this one.... that is a long tube with teeth!!! and it's poisonous!!! aaarrrghhh. Excellent image, I really like this pov, great details, the camouflage is amazing, such a wonderful animal...

best regards h

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1868 W: 8 N: 4851] (15717)
  • [2008-07-13 10:42]

Hi L'il Bro,

I never thought I would say it but - this Viper IS beautiful. In your picture anyway. You know how I love eyes and this one is magnificent. Excellent details of the face and the snakeskin. Wonderful colors and pov. A marvelous dedication to Goldy who I guess is also my little brother in our wonderful extended family.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2090 W: 9 N: 5874] (22244)
  • [2008-07-13 10:45]

Hi Bayram. Now i would say that just a bit to close for cumfort. But it has given you sharp focusing on the head area with fine detail and natural colours. It stands out so well from the BG. well done TFS. interesting notes too,
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer [C: 211 W: 0 N: 755] (3323)
  • [2008-07-13 11:37]

Hola Bayram, excelente primer plano, buen detalle, luz y color.
Buena nota informativa. Un saludo

Hi brother... I know you like this snake...But don't forget, You almost died when she kisses your hand....Thanks god we still have you....Every time you put viper snake that reminded me what happened couple years ago...Excellent portre, clear dedails,Eye and patten look amazing and dangerous too...Take care...Leyla

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1829 W: 243 N: 6021] (21446)
  • [2008-07-13 13:48]

Hello Bayram!
Excellent close-up of this snake!
I love the POV and composition.
Great BG, superb DOF and spot-on focusing.
Very sharp and detailed.

Well done Geckoman :-D

Joe

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1296 W: 0 N: 5060] (15082)
  • [2008-07-13 13:49]

Hi Bayram

Excellent shot - magnificent POV and excellent, sharp focus.

James

Hi Bayram
Beautiful reptile. Great POV, good sharpness, nice OOF background. As always your note is perfect and very informative. I like it very much
Very best wishes
Krzysztof

nefis bir portre hoca. detaylar, göz teması, renkler hepsi çok güzel. eline sağlık.
"yılan" hikayesine dönen kitap için matbaadan aradılar, hemen hemen tamamlanmış. haftaya dönüşte iyi haberi vereceğimi sanıyorum.
selamlar.

Dear Bayram,
Goldy Sir is someone who is loved by all the people he manages, and by those that want to be with a people manager like him.I'm no longer working with him, but he continues to be a person I respect dearly.
And that you choose to make such a lovely gift to him makes me wonder!
This is a priceless shot!
TFS!
Rashmi

Hi bro Bayram,

what a very good dedication to Goldy.
Good portrait from this snake with an exellent BG.
Gert

I am simply overwhelmed by this dedication, my dearest brother! Simply because it comes from you, is one reason, but also that this is a magnificant portrait of one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, per my little knowledge of snakes!
You never stop short of anything, my dearest brother!
Thank you sooooo much!
Your L'il bro,
Goldy

Merhaba Hocam,
Haftasonu engerek serisi yapmışsınız :) Bu fotoğraf da çok güzel, kafasını biraz yana çevirmesine rağmen göz detayı mükemmel! Paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Saygılarımla,
Naşit.

Hi Bayram, lovely dedication for our friend Goldy, beautiful portrait of this terrible snake with fine details, perfect focus and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 2528] (11735)
  • [2008-07-14 5:10]

Hello Bayram, Superb shot and good dedication for Goldy. Very dangerous. I was watching some article on snakes yday in Discovery channel. Had dangerous dreams. Ganesh

Hello Bayram,

An excellent close-up of this dangerous-looking snake, the detail is very sharp.

Thanks,
John

Fascinating Levantine Viper's head photo, Bayram.
Well composed.
Nice dedication.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 423 W: 3 N: 435] (1349)
  • [2008-07-14 10:25]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Cok guzel bir portre,pul detayları,arka planl ve kadraj 4/4 luk olmus.Tebrikler,ellerinize saglik!

Hello Bayram,
The close comp really helps to give this guy a menacing look -"Dangerous Beauty" works for me!
Excellent exposure, detail, DOF, BG, and natural color..
I like your POV that shares his POV as well ;}
Nice dedication,
Howard

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 409 W: 41 N: 785] (2478)
  • [2008-07-17 22:28]
  • [+]

Dear Bayram,
You been kissed by one like this...i couldnt just get near to this, i would freak out!!!

Years of working on these wonderful creatures and proximity to them must have been a big factor in reducing your fear and making you grow really fond of them.And it is so remarkable an effort.

This viper you present here is show with good details and the texture has been picked up very well.
I have seen frontal PoVs of vipers, but none as close and and from this angle and this is truly a first of its kind for me. The eyes resemble a crocodiles eye...and i guess it was keenly watching you.

I am trying to figure out how did you manage this angle,did some one hold it for you to get this intimate a portrait of this amazing creature?The viper as such is not a very colourful one, but the muted green Bg in the composition definitley adds a refreshing touch to this dedication.

Very well done
TFS & Cheers

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