Just a Little Closer

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Just a Little Closer
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 1 N: 3939] (13258)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-08
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/13.0, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Vanderschelden's favourites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-05-09 5:46
Viewed: 600
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi All, today I have for you a Prairie Rattlesnake that I captured near Murray Lake he was laying on the gravel road so I stopped, took some shots then moved him off the road. They are species at risk, but they are still killed by people both accidentally and on purpose while crossing roads. I posted a closeup here and a full view in a workshop. My wife hates snakes so when I layed down to take this shot I had to contend with both a mad snake and wife, LOL. This Prairie Rattlesnake was approximately 1.5 meters long and rather grumpy.
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.
Source:
http://www.abheritage.ca/abnature/speciesatrisk/prairie_rattlesnake_intro.htm
vertnat, ramthakur, pirate, bobair, GLEM, ArjunaVision, SelenE, jaycee, vanderschelden, PaulH, Argus, Jamesp, jmirah, nglen, MMM, horia, saeedabbasi, uleko, SkyF, lovenature, Alex99, mbasil, daveman has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Evelynn: ThanksAdanac 2 05-10 10:29
To arfer: ThanksAdanac 1 05-09 19:47
To vanderschelden: LOLAdanac 1 05-09 11:55
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi dear Rick ,
Ugsome shot.
it has excellent focus and great composition.
light and sharpness are great.
well captured
thanks and regards
Saeed

Eeeeeeek!! Snakes scare me, Rick.
In the short peek I took at your Rattlesnake, I noticed that you have gotten yourself too close for comfort to this deadly reptile.

But, then, I had to take a second peek to say with certainty that this is one of the most realistic snake pictures I have ever looked at, reluctantly :-).

What sharp details and colors! And that untrusting eye is keeping tabs on your movements!
TFS and hasty bye from me!

Hi Rick,
this is a superb capture of this evil-looking snake.
Good composition and POV.
I did a workshop.
Well done,
Joey

Hi Rick
Sharpness, compo and first of all DOF make this a great picture
TOM

Hi Rick,
now this is something I was hoping to see a genuine Alberta prairie rattlesnake.I have uploaded food(yesterday) for your snake.If they could express emotion then this snake seems to say back off and I don't trust you as it has a wary look in its eye.Good details and nice muted colour and a point of view that would seem to be taken at an unsafe distance you have captured this snake well.Very kind of you to save this one from the roadway,I know that I would make the effort myself.Tfs Bob

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 535 W: 87 N: 667] (5480)
  • [2007-05-09 7:44]

Salut Rick,
tu aimes le danger on dirait parceque là il ne faut pas se louper ou trébucher. Une image impressionnante, un peu sombre mais bien nette. Quel regard !

gl

Beautifull... Perspective, DOF, sharpnes and moment are very good. You might b able to bring some more 'light' into the pictu by adding a bit of contrast... I'll see what I can do, if you don't mind...

Compliments, Arjuna.

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2337 W: 59 N: 4094] (13345)
  • [2007-05-09 9:39]

Hi Rick,
Great expression ! Very good composition and details. TFS
Selen

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2007-05-09 11:08]

Hi Rick,

Wow! Too close for comfort. Fantastic shot of this snake. Wonderful colors and the details of his skin and face are amazing - even the eye. Beautiful against the lovely bg.

Jane

Hi Rick,
A few questions for a crazy fellow....
What's worst: a mad wife or a mad snake?
Aren't people accidently killed by moving them from the road instead of the opposite? I don't think so...nobody will do that:-)
Wonderful image!
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 981 W: 17 N: 2563] (9450)
  • [2007-05-09 11:53]

Hi Rick,

if looks could kill eh? You'd be a goner! Great shot, i like the way you kept some of the rest of him in the background, out of focus, other wise it might look like a floating head! Like to see you get as close to a Grizzly ;o)

Nice shot mate.

Paul

amazing and angry looking snake, TFS ori

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2416 W: 132 N: 6653] (20877)
  • [2007-05-09 13:19]

Hello Rick,
fine capture of the dangerous end of a Prairie Rattler. You must have been quite close to take this sharp and detailed shot.
Nice lighting and comp.
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 505 W: 8 N: 1023] (3786)
  • [2007-05-09 14:41]

Hello Rick, what a beauty fantastic photo, you managed to capture this rattlesnake perfectly. the collors and composition are amazing, great POV and sharpness, wonderful BG..well done..

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4449] (13290)
  • [2007-05-09 15:39]

Hi Rick

I admire you for taking this shot - it is amazing- well composed, great POV and DOF. This is a shot I would not dare to take.

James

  • Great 
  • jmirah Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 5 N: 901] (3574)
  • [2007-05-09 15:53]

Wicked snake. Great natural color. The fine detail of the head and neck is amazing. Good shot!!! TFS
Jim

  • Great 
  • marcin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 147 W: 0 N: 155] (1371)
  • [2007-05-09 16:20]

hi Rick
wow, amazing and dangerous snakes
regards
marcin

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2007-05-09 16:40]

Hi Rick. What a great shot of the snake. Great detail aand focus . great eye contact. i am glad it was not me taken this picture. you have done very well .TFS. Nick

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2726 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-05-09 17:49]
  • [+]

Hello Rick

I will get close to bears,wolves,coyotes...I will lie down on my belly and photograph a non venomous garter snake...but this is something.I am nervous for you just looking at it.Excellent POV and DOF.The details are so sharp.Very good focus with natural colour saturation.An amazing capture well done.TFS

Rob

Wow , Rick . What a great capture . He doesn't look too happy , but I'm sure he didn't mean you any harm . Hope your wife wasn't too freaked out , but she should know that these snakes haven't killed anyone in a very long time . They just don't have the venom . TFS , Kevin .

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 0 N: 1457] (6594)
  • [2007-05-09 21:29]

Hi Rick
That is a very nice shot of that snake colors and sharpness as usual are very good,also excellent POV.
TFS

AGGGGGGGGHHH! I know why I missed this shot the first time through the gallery. I don't do snakes well... not even in pictures! I don't wish them any harm mind you, they just make me nervous. I'm sure they are very nice, on occasion, and grumpy on occasion but I don't want to stick around long enough to find out. I'm curious what your wife really thought of your adventure. That said, the photo is really super. I don't think I've ever seen a better one of a rattlesnake. The look in the eye is WONDERFUL. Now I am going to move along to a nice mountain or wildflower. Thanks for sharing.... I think.

Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2070 W: 214 N: 3542] (11790)
  • [2007-05-10 3:28]

Hi Rick

Beavutifully done! Especially your action and then your shots! I really appreciate what you did here and the fact that you took a little chance to save this beautiful specimen's (if you say he was that big) life! Thanks!

As for the shots, it appears you were rewarded with some splendid poses from him!
I love both the close-up and the full view with the agressive pose.
In both of them the details are great and the textures of his skales are very well shown. The natural colors are great and it's obvious how well they work for a good camouflage.
The eye-contact here is the cherry on top of the cake and from this POV you also managed a fantastic look he gave you :)
All-in-all: a superb job!

Bravo, my friend and TFSaving him and TFSharing :)
Horia

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2297 W: 163 N: 6694] (21146)
  • [2007-05-10 4:04]

Hello Rick,
Wow, you must have been flat on the ground to get this excellent capture of this Rattle Snake. He's got a nasty look in his eye! Great sharpness, good colours and a very nice composition. Most of all you're to be admired for being brave!!
TFS, Ulla

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2447 W: 207 N: 2035] (8113)
  • [2007-05-10 8:34]

Hi Rick,
This is quite the look you getting, seems not to like it that you that close.
Great shot, excellent POV which shows off a lot of great detail and texture.
TFS..Sky

Je n'aime pas beaucoup le sujet mais la photo est superbe avec tous ses détails.
bravo
Marie

Hi Rick
Cute comment about your wife and the snake :D...I'm sure your wife is much more beautiful than this Prairie Rattlesnake LOL

Nice capture thought, I hope you didn't have to get to close to this mean looking guy. Excellent detail and lighting. I love the look this snake is giving you...like get out of my space. Well done.
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2935 W: 142 N: 4217] (13775)
  • [2007-05-13 8:57]

Hi Rick.
Very impressive subject and picture of it. Really great POV and reflection of snake mood. Cropping is perfect as well as the selection of the POV. Nice work and my best wishes.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • mbasil Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 340 W: 146 N: 687] (2989)
  • [2007-05-17 17:15]

Wonderfully capture, Rick. Nicely compozed, too. And what an expression! I guess I never thought of the notion that a reptile could have such a "Get lost!" look. But it sure LOOKS that way. Or am I anthropormorphizing?
Mike
P.S. So do you live in the Hat? I'm in Lethbridge. And Janice (lovenature) is in Cochrane west of Calgary. A belated wecome to the TN neighborhood (I've been gone for the winter)!

hello Rick

excellent picture ,incredible details and a very nice cropping

perfect shot

regards

jjo

Coiled and not too happy! Good lighting.
I have had several close encounters with rattlesnakes, and am friends with a local expert on the Prairie Rattlesnake at the U of L. A couple of years ago he asked me to give a lecture on medical Rx of snakebite, as part of a rattlesnake convention here in town. We researched the Alberta experience. As far as I could find, there has yet to be a recorded case of fatal rattlesnake bite in Alberta, ever. That said, I've met a few people who regret the experience, as it is really painful. 90% male, 90% upper limb below the elbow, most complicated by alcohol, and a few curious scientists. In retrospect, I've also gotten a little to close at times. Fortunately these reptiles will work hard to avoid wasting venom on a human.

Dave

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