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Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1043 W: 1 N: 4096] (13768)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-31
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon 40D, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Bayram's Favorites-1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-01 3:58
Viewed: 621
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi All,
Todays posting is a Prairie Rattlesnake in a strike ready pose, I found him at work yesterday and he is the first one this year, so it's time to start watching where my foot is going and not reaching down the pick something up without checking for a snake first.


Prairie Rattlesnake
Of the eight subspecies of the Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) in North America, the Prairie Rattlesnake, is the only one found in Alberta. The Prairie Rattlesnake varies in distribution and abundance throughout its range. In Alberta, for example, the Prairie Rattlesnake is a "Blue-listed" species, indicating that it may be at risk and susceptible to habitat disturbance, population decline, or reductions in provincial distribution.

The habitat of the Prairie Rattlesnake in Canada has been described as mixed-grass prairie, or as short-grass prairie. Low precipitation, high summer temperatures, and a short growing season characterize the semi-arid climate of the mixed-grass prairie, whereas the short-grass prairie occurs under even drier conditions or intense grazing pressure.

In Alberta, the Prairie Rattlesnake is found within the Grassland Natural Region, often associated with river and coulee bottoms, badlands, sage flats, and less commonly on open short-grass prairie. Hibernacula, which allow the Prairie Rattlesnake to survive through long cold winters, are a critical component of Prairie Rattlesnake habitat in northern climates. Slump blocks, meander scarps, subterranean water channels, rock outcrops, and mammal burrows have all been found to provide suitable conditions for hibernacula. Hibernacula are usually found on south-facing slopes which provide maximum solar insulation, while offering protection from prevailing winds. However, a small number of dens appear to be located on, or adjacent to, east- or north-facing slopes. Overwintering dens of the Prairie Rattlesnake are with other species such as Bull Snakes and Garter Snakes.

Rattlesnakes return to their dens each fall, and therefore hunting and basking areas must be available within a reasonable distance from the hibernaculum. Another potential habitat requirement of the rattlesnake is the presence of a suitable birthing area or rookery where gravid females can aggregate until parturition. Although only a small number of rookeries have been found, these areas have some common features, including the presence of large, flat table rocks overlaying abandoned mammal burrows. It has been suggested that these habitat characteristics provide quick escape from predators as well as appropriate microhabitat for thermoregulation.

It has been estimated that over two-thirds of the original mixed-grass prairie has been destroyed. This loss, in combination with increased grazing and the construction of roadways and pipelines on the prairies suggest that the availability of suitable habitat for Prairie Rattlesnakes may be declining in the province.

Snake populations in cold climates often develop specific behavioral and physiological strategies for dealing with a shortened active season. In Alberta, Prairie Rattlesnake populations reach the northern limit of their distribution, and restrictions imposed by the colder climate should be reflected in their thermal ecology.

Knowledge of activity patterns in rattlesnakes may also be critical for understanding habitat requirements. During the active season, rattlesnakes may migrate long distances from their overwintering dens. In the spring, migration appears to be associated with a search for suitable foraging areas.



Reprinted from Alberta Wildlife Status Report No. 6 (1997), with permission from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.
Argus, pvs, ramthakur, MartinL, boreocypriensis, eqshannon, lise, jaycee, vanderschelden, Juyona, maurydv, NinaM, CeltickRanger, manyee, strahos, mala-zaba, uleko, lovenature has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To joey: ThanksAdanac 1 06-02 18:49
To manyee: ThanksAdanac 1 06-02 18:45
To eqshannon: ThanksAdanac 1 06-01 07:21
To MartinL: ThanksAdanac 2 06-01 06:33
To boreocypriensis: ThanksAdanac 1 06-01 06:28
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2596 W: 133 N: 7433] (23169)
  • [2008-06-01 4:10]

Hello Rick,
An excellent capture of this impressive Rattlesnake. This is nice and sharp and taken from a fine POV to show this pre-strike posture, but you have had to keep your distance! He looks pretty large.
Thanks for sharing this fine image,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1144 W: 254 N: 2542] (11521)
  • [2008-06-01 4:40]

Hi Rick,

One of those animals that I rather try to avoid,but you captured this striker very nice with good colors,dof an detail,I hope this is a cropped version,tfs

Paul

I'm terrified!!
Snakes frighten me, Rick.
Nonetheless, this is a very timely shot of a Rattlesnake poised for a strike.
Very good sharpness and colours.
Bye, I'm in a hurry!
Ram (running away>>>>>>>>>)

Hello Rick,
Impressive photo of this Rattlesnake. I tried a workshop, specially to get some more contrast in the photo. I hope you don't mind. Very good sharpness and composition. Nice POV.
Regards,
Peter

Rick,

This guy means business! It is quite the pose you caught here - I'm sure the 400mm came in handy :)
How often do you come across those guys ?

Best Regards,

Martin

Hi Rick superrrrrr.... superrrrr shot of this pit viper in striking position. All are perfect. well done! Of course should be take its place in my favs. TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

Ouch! They certainly are a menacing character in nature..and your image shows it well....in classic style Rick. This year is supposed to be a big year for rattlers. I have also heard many stories early on. I understand that the bite is usually only fatal if there is no anti venom handy....is that what you hear? I have also heard of folks getting bit on the Palouse and being flown out by medical helicopter..so I am guessing that timing is important eh? I am frankly ignorant of the nature of the beast which surrounds....
Bob

  • Great 
  • lise Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 182 W: 52 N: 552] (2671)
  • [2008-06-01 6:58]

Hi Rick,
If I had that thing in my environment, I would freak out!!
It blends well with the colours of the ground.
This is a wonderful picture. The light, colours, sharpness are superb.
Bravo
Lise

J'ai peur, trés belle image.Mes compliments.

Hi Rick,
Excellent image for its dynamic pose and your POV..
Very good detail/DOF, comp, and natural colors.
Just needs a bit of contrast adjust, so I threw in my hat too :)
Well done & TFS!
Howard

amazing snake, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1988 W: 5 N: 5524] (20880)
  • [2008-06-01 9:03]

Hi Rick. To stay back would be no problem for me , I am not to keen on snakes at the best of times. You have captured a fine shot of this Rattlesnake, good detail and colours in the skin. well done TFS. Interesting notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1778 W: 8 N: 4597] (14871)
  • [2008-06-01 9:46]

Hi Rick,

You are brave!! We have a rattlenake alert here and I would love to see one and take a shot but I know I would never get anywhere close enough. I love the pose - of course it's a dangerous one. Good details of the face and snakeskin with nice natural colors. He would be perfectly camouflaged were it not for the bits of grass.

Jane

Wow, Rick.
Strike ready!
Wonderful image!
Congrats
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2036 W: 6 N: 2017] (13253)
  • [2008-06-01 12:57]

Hola amigo,
bello trabajo,
estupenda captura Rick.
saludos

Spettacolare cattura, eccellenti POV e composizione, ottime nitidezza e definizione dei dettagli, molto belli i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 562 W: 0 N: 1371] (4547)
  • [2008-06-01 17:58]

We don't have such snakes here, only the tiny ones called "couleuvres" in French. Your Albertan wildlife is so rich and interesting. We are lucky to have Rick and Lucy go out and make us discover it! Thank you for your great posts, nice and beautiful pictures, always interesting. I can feel dryness in the skin of this snake, covered with dust. What a life they lead, having to migrate!

francine

hello Rick

even if i don't love snakes, specially on that their defensive position
i will do fats to give you my critique, WOW ! impressive pose
of the Rattlesnake, great details of his coat, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3069 W: 231 N: 5857] (19698)
  • [2008-06-01 22:45]
  • [+]

Wow, Rick!
Uh... isn't that kind of dangerous?
Fantastic POV (if that did not put you in harm's way).
So much tension in that pose.
Amazing details.
TFS. ; )

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1681 W: 242 N: 5550] (19643)
  • [2008-06-02 1:02]
  • [+]

Woooooooowww! What an impressive capture, Rick!
The pose is very ominous!
Superb composition and POV.
Very sharp and detailed.
Excellent lighting and sandy colours.
Brilliant DOF.
How close were you?

Very well done,

Joe

Hello Rick,

What an impressive capture. Excellent composition, POV, DOF and sharpness. Light and colours are great too.
Very well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

beautiful shot of this amazing snake. very nice moment.
tfs
Ilias

Hi Rick
Nice pose of the subject! Very nice detailed skin. Well done
TFS
Eric

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1031 W: 26 N: 2984] (10774)
  • [2008-06-02 2:43]

Hi Rick, outstanding shot mate, superb pose caught and very good contrasty lighting - you be careful!
Paul

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2458 W: 168 N: 7420] (23432)
  • [2008-06-09 3:32]

Hello Rick,
Wow, I wouldn't like to meet this one in the wild!! You were brave getting this brilliant shot but I expect you were at a safe distance!! Excellent sharpness and colours and a very fine composition.
Many thanks and best wishes, Ulla

Holy Cow Rick....I missed this big boy in your photo's....I guess I was still working 7 days a week. This Rattlesnake is a whopper and he doesn't look to happy. Makes my little baby snake look so puny. I like your image better....at least your getting some action. It looks like his scales are starting to stand on end too. Well done Rick.
TFS Janice

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