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Portrait of the Holy Beauty-II for *E&S*


Portrait of the Holy Beauty-II for *E&S*
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5083 W: 178 N: 12358] (33729)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-05-25
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D-5000, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, @ ISO 800, SIGMA 62MM EX DG MC UV Filter
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/1250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna-II, Bayram's Dedications-II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-06-03 0:35
Viewed: 620
Favorites: 7 [view]
Points: 72
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Dolichophis jugularis (Black Whip Snake) (in Turk. Kara Yılan)

Hi friends, today another portrait shot of this holy black beauty from Anavarza Castle) (Tumlu, Ceyhan) and I would I would like to dedicate this posting to a young couple, Salih Köksalan (skoksalan)! and Elif Ürün Köksalan (elif) in thanks for Salih’s lovely dedication to me and their kind interest to my shots.

TFL and Have a nice day!
Cheers,

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

*****************************
Black Whip Snake, up to maximum 2.5 -even 3 m in Cyprus -total length, black when adult but grey peppered black and white when young (up to approx. 1 m), is an active diurnal snake with its ferocious, “relatively docile” behaviour. It is widespread in Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel with a vertical distribution up to 1400 m. and represented with three subspecies in known distribution area:

• C. j. jugularis, with red throat, in Anatolia and northern Syria,
• C. j. asianus, with black and white throat, in southern Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Mediterranean Israel, and
• C. j. cypriacus, with mostly black venter, anteriorly speckled with some red, which is an endemic subspecies of the island of Cyprus.

It lives in dry, open places, rocky river banks, rocky-stony slopes, fields and swamps; can also be seen in gardens, vineyards and cemeteries. It shelters under stones and in rodent galleries. It is known to feed mainly on rodents (especially mice and rats) and lizards; sometimes even on other snakes. Since it consumes crop-harming rodents, it was used in agricultural pest control in Cyprus.

This snake species is, despite of its virtual harmlessness, one of the most feared snakes by the natives, thanks to its large size, diurnal lifestyle, intense hissing and striking when cornered. Therefore, it is often confused with uniform black venomous snake, Walterinnesia morgani (=W. aegyptia) (Desert/Egyptian Cobra) in some distribution areas (such as SE Anatolia, Syria and Jordan) where they were found in sympatric. It can be distinguished by the presence of a loreal scale on the head and the only divided subcaudal plates, also bigger eyes, diurnal life and different striking behaviour. In Desert cobra the loreal plate is lacked on the head, there is the mixture of divided and undivided subcaudals. Also the later is mostly nocturnal with a smaller size around 1 meter, and in comparison with Black whip snake, it moves slowly and mostly strikes with closed mouth.

Ps. This beauty is accepted as "holy" by Cypriots. And that many old people believe that each Black Whip snake represent "the spirit of the late son". Thus when they a black whip snake around their home, a dish full up with milk is put on the near of the threshold for its drinking.

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. Göçmen, B., Franzen, M., Yildiz, M. Z., Akman, B. & Yalçinkaya, D. (2009). New locality records of eremial snake species in southeastern Turkey (Ophidia: Colubridae, Elapidae, Typhlopidae, Leptotyphlopidae). Salamandra, 45 (2): 110-114.
4. Göçmen, B., Werner, Y. L. & Elbeyli, B. (2008). Cannibalism in Dolichophis jugularis (Serpentes: Colubridae): More than Random?. Current Herpetology, 27 (1): 1-7 [In English with English Summary].
5. Atatür, M. K. & Göçmen, B. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus [Kuzey Kibris'in Kurbaga ve Sürüngenleri], Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 170, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 63 pp (ISBN 975-483-486-5) [In Turkish & English, 63 pp.].
KOMSIS, ramthakur, mustafatavsiz, nkasot, cypturk, nasokoun, elif, skoksalan, goatman04, maurydv, jconceicao, DarioM, yasemin, jaycee, Noisette, cirano, CeltickRanger, SelenE, SMYRNA, xTauruSx, montivipera, zulfu, bahadir, anemone has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eng55: :)boreocypriensis 2 06-04 02:10
To skoksalan: Selamboreocypriensis 1 06-03 11:25
To elif: Selamboreocypriensis 1 06-03 11:18
To mehmetarslan: selamboreocypriensis 1 06-03 11:14
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Critiques [Translate]

hello Bayram

WAUWH this is SUPER!!!
i like this
great sharpness and good details
very good shot Bayram
greeting lou

Bayram bey selamlar,
Nefis güzellikte bir yılan portresi ...
Kadraj ve alan derinliği çok yakışmış.
Yılanın pullarındaki renk dağılımları ve gözü ile çatal dili ilgi çekiyor.
Emeğinize sağlık.
Seyfi

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1130 W: 32 N: 1137] (3508)
  • [2009-06-03 0:53]
  • [+]

Merhaba Hocam,
Vay utanmaz,karşısında koskoca prof. var aldırmadan dilini çıkarıyor:)Daha güzelini bir sonraya saklamışsın.Bu sefer yanında kimse yok,ya da göz içindeki kadraja girmemiş.Hava güneşli ve parçalı bulutluymuş:)Mükemmel olmuş yine Dostum.
Selamlar,ellerine sağlık..

Though I'm terrified of snakes, I could not help taking a close look at this amazing picture, Prof Bayram.
It is assumed that since you were using a 105mm macro lens, you must have gone very close to the reptile to take this needle sharp picture. You are very brave, my friend :).
The image is so sharp it defies logic.
Congratulations for this extraordinary capture!
Thanks and regards.
Ram

Hocam ben bunu görmüş olsam değil fotoğrafını çekmek 140 kg olmama rağmen 100 metre dünya rekoru kırardım valla .
Çok güzel ve korkutucu bir çekim.
Saygılar.
Mustafa

Bayram hocam, vallahi siteye hareket getiriyorsunuz. Resme bakarken başımın üstünden ayaklarıma kadar sanki soğuk sular indi:) Müthiş bir yılan ve müthiş bir ekspert işi olmuş.
Emeğinize sağlık.
Nazım

Hello Bayram !
What can I say to that ? There is only one word to describe it - perfection. Even better than the previous picture, because of this tongue sticking out, it's a nice bonus. You're really one of the most talented photographers here, and I admire you so much. Very well done my friend !
Valérie.

selamlar hocam,
pulları ve plakları gayet bariz bir şekilde sayılabiliyor.
mükemmel bir fotoğraf olmuş.
elinize sağlık en güzel dilleklerimle hoşcakalın sayın hocam.

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2009-06-03 2:57]

Hi Bayram,

A excellent capture,well composed,great POV and BG and as well a superb focus makes this an great image,I can even see you even taken the picture with a partly clouded blue sky in the pupil,thanks


Paul

Dayi gozunde yada 2 kisi daha gorunuyor:) Omer Bey secememis ama ben gordum:) super cektin gene. Dilcigini de disari cikarmis ne guzel. Selamlar.
cypturk

hello Bayram
I do not know if you fear so much close up shot, in any case the result it is impressive,wonderful portrait
TFS MF thanks for presentesion
Nasos

  • Great 
  • elif Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 169 W: 0 N: 98] (458)
  • [2009-06-03 6:24]
  • [+]

Sayın Hocam,
Bu harika hediyeniz için çok teşekkür ederim.
Duygularımı hangi kelimelere yükleyip anlatacağımı bilmiyorum.Böylesine güzel bir türün böylesine güzel bir karesini bize hediye etmeniz bizi onurlandırdı.
Çok çok teşekkür ederim.
Selamlar, saygılar..
Elif

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2569] (9065)
  • [2009-06-03 6:41]

Merhaba MF Bayram,
this one look more ferocious. the eyes are lovely andthis one is more exciting with the tongue seen in clarity.
wonderful presentation.

regards,
Foozi

Sayın Hocam,
Kara yılan serinizin en harikasını, en görkemlisini bize ithaf etmeniz bizi çok onurlandırdı.
Çok teşekkür ederim.
Sağlıcakla kalın, saygılarımla...

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 645 W: 15 N: 1577] (6149)
  • [2009-06-03 7:27]

Hello Bayram
Wonderful portrait with great details.
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2384 W: 94 N: 5493] (17500)
  • [2009-06-03 8:14]

Hello Bayram,
What a great photo! The last one was excellent, this one is still better. Even there's eye-contact. Nothing to critize. Congratulations on this beauty.
Regards,
Peter

Salam Bayram,

An excellent capture with outstanding details & sharpness. Simply beautiful my friend. TFS.

Salam & Regards

Umar

Ciao Bayram, an other fantastic portrait of this wonderful snake, splendid sharpness and fine details, perfect focus and lovely blurry BG, I like a lot, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

Hello MF Bayram,
another fantastic portrait of this beauty taken with impressive details and brilliant colours, very very well done
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Hi Bayram,

Fantastic portrait of this beautiful snake.
Wonderful colours with excellent focus and definition.
Good notes.

Merhaba amico Bayram. This is other masterpiece for sharp and focus. Fabolouse macro.

Roberto

Hi Brother.
Amazing portrait of this beauty....Also eye contact and tongue very terrifying.....Very very good details and sharpness...You are brave to take this picture...Well done and be careful pleaseee...
Mum still in hospital but she is health improved..
Regards from all of us....Love...
Take care.
Leyla.

Hi Bayram, fantastic shot, it is realy amazing!
Greetings from Herzegovina
Dario

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-06-03 16:35]

Hi LBB,

You must have taken shots of this snake from every possible angle. This one is fantastic with magnificent colors and superb details of the face, eye, skin, and tongue. The background and composition are amazing.

Jane

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1977 W: 6 N: 5525] (19661)
  • [2009-06-03 17:07]
  • [2]

Hi Bayram,no comment.This is out of my human possibility!! My best best best best best compliments,100 points for this fantastic portrait! Have a nice day,Luciano

Merhaba Bayram
another great portrait of this Black Whip Snake, the other profil this time and it is as beautiful as the previous, the details are stunning and the colors superb
Nice BG
Have a good day
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 651 W: 0 N: 228] (4878)
  • [2009-06-04 12:41]

Merhaba,
Muhteşem bir portre daha karelerinde sevimli hale gelen ürkütücü yılanımızdan.Seri devam ederse korkarım bu gidişle aileden biri olacak:)
Homojen arkaplanla birlikte,netlik ve detaylar da harika ama ille de çatal dil tüm ilgiye odak kılıyor kendini.
Eline emeğine sağlık.
Dûrzan

hello Bayram

another of your superb photo of snake's portrait,
fine POV, with the superb focus on it
with great sharpness and details, the photo shot
at the best moment with the tongue out, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2009-06-05 9:39]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Degisik ve cok hos bir portre, modeliniz de pek guzel. Elinize saglik
Iyi haftasonlari

Korka korka yazıyorum ha:) muhteşem olmuş. Eline sağlık. Facebooka da yazmışsın. Ben bir Kara YIlanım diye:) Karasın o kesin ama yılanlığını göremedik:) İyi pazarlar.

Müthiş zamanlama hocam. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

Merhaba Hocam,
Dili dışarıda yakalamışsınız :) Çok güzel bir kare, elinize sağlık.
Saygılar

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1053 W: 0 N: 162] (866)
  • [2009-06-13 6:50]

Kara yilanı her açıdan en güzel şekilde sergilemişsiniz hocam. Bu da çok güzel. Emeğinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Dil dışarda ve gözler sanki sizde:) fırsatını bulsa dönüp öpcek:)
Harika portre hocam.
Bahadır

Merhaba Hocam,
Karayılanı sayenizde yakından tanıma fırsatı buldum.Eline sağlık.
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

Muhteşem bir kara yılan karesi daha... elinize sağlık.
Saygılarımla hocam,
Özgür

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