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Forked tongue


Forked tongue
Photo Information
Copyright: Angelina Deans (angybone) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1191 W: 14 N: 2371] (7672)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-26
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: OLYMPUS E-500, Olympus Zuiko 40-150 f3.5-5.6, 58 mm uv Hoya
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/160 seconds
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-05-27 8:29
Viewed: 1382
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Before you judge my coachwhip harshly know this: straight from Wiki: "They tend to be high strung, and often bolt at the first sign of a potential threat. They are extremely fast moving snakes."

This one ran out in front of us on the trail so I went after him. My husband stood on one side of the clump of wild persimmon trees while I crawled halfway in with my camera (not so low that I couldn't run for it. ha ha)Mr. Coachwhip wasn't the least bit upset - as a matter of fact, he pretty much ignored me, but did so surrounded by as much grass and cover as possible. This photo was touched up some - I cloned out a couple of pixels of green that crossed the top of his tongue and sharpened him. I always feel guilty when I clone. I finished him with Neat Image.
_______
The coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) is a non-venomous colubrid snake. There are 7 recognized subspecies. I have no idea which one this is.
____

Jacobson's Organ (or why does a snake flick its tongue):
A snake sticks out its tongue to collect data for its Jacobson's Organ, an organ strategically located in front of the roof of the snake's mouth that functions as a chemical receptor. Each and every time the snake flicks out its forked tongue, it snares chemical particles in the air, which latch onto, or dissolve in, the moisture of the snake's tongue. Once the snake reels in its tongue, it inserts the tips of the forked tongue into the two awaiting openings of the Jacobson's organ where the particles, especially those of animal body odors, are identified, analyzed, and acted upon.

For the male snake, the tongue is both a sensory organ, and a sensual organ. The tongue plays a vital role in snake courtship and reproduction, as the male snake's jerking body motions and rapidly flicking tongue either charm the female snake, or render her unresponsive. In either instance, by sticking out their tongues, snakes ensure the survival of the species.

http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/snakes.asp
jmirah, Kathleen, lawhill, XOTAELE, jaycee, nglen, eqshannon, oscarromulus, iris has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

You have to be proud of this one...Color, focus, clarity and POV are all excellent, as are all your posts lately...Great capture because I know your hands were trembling ;)
Well done Angelina!!!
Another great note...

Jim

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2007-05-27 8:57]

Hi Angelina,
Superb shot of this snake. Very neat and sharp. Hats off to you for taking so mauch risk. Excellent POV. I like its tongue, its gorgeous eyes and its elegant pose. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hi Angelina.
Ditto, full marks on a great photo and what you did to get that photo. Great notes to go with it, sounds like you have a good understanding husband for your photography adventures.

Kathleen
New Zealand

Hello Angelina,
I’ have phobia of snakes, You got it nice shot, very clear, colorful and eye contact + for the tongue TFS, Regards/Lawhill

Hola Angelina.
Impactante retrato. Buenos detalles con una buena nitidez.
Un saludo, JL

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-05-27 10:50]

Hi Angelina,

Wonderful capture of this snake. I love the details of his skin. Marvelous face with that good eye. He shows off so well agains the bg. I like seeing him on the diagonal like that.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3800 W: 190 N: 11298] (34839)
  • [2007-05-27 11:43]

Hello Angy,
Nice capture of the head of a Coachwhip. Knowing that it is non-venomous, I guess that you come a little closer than to a rattler.
The cloning is no great sin: I think it is quite justified at times and as long as one does not alter the basic image it's OK.
But the use of Neat Image has polished him a bit too much.
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2900 W: 34 N: 8586] (32012)
  • [2007-05-27 14:02]

Hi Angelina. This is a very well detailed shot. great light on the eye. good colours. a nice low POV,and DOF. well done TFS. great notes to.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2007-05-27 16:09]

Hi Angy,
a great shot of this snake.
Very cool POV.
Well done,
Joey

Holy cow.....no thanks...Too close for me. For one reason or another I am afraid of these snakes. Strange though. I live so close to many of them. I'm glad you have him facing the other direction. Wasn't I just asking about snakes? Sometimes I 'talk' so much I furget what I said. Nice capture Angie!
Bob
Western Wilderness
Washington

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 640 W: 98 N: 1241] (4189)
  • [2007-05-27 19:01]

Hello Angy,
This is an amazing close-up of the coachwhip from the forked tongue out to the eye to the pattern on the skin. It's a great POV and an outstanding shot when you consider how difficult it is to photograph snakes in the wild. I remember this particular snake from when I was growing up in Mississippi, roaming the woods, picking blackberries, etc., but I did not know they are also in Texas.
Ken

Remarkable notes and photography, young lady.
You are getting better and better, Angelina.
It's a MASTERPIECE of a shot.
Quite a husband you have. Great show.!!!
Excellent focusing and clarity too.
Best of the best to you both.
Mario.

Hello Angelina,
This is a difficult capture that you achieved pretty well. The action caught is very good and not easy to do :) I like this low POV and composition. To be honest, my only nit is that we do feel the use of noise reduction but it is still worth presenting it as it is a rare capture. I do love snakes a lot :) Well done and TFS,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2007-05-28 22:43]

Hi Angelina.- Nice moment capured in this photo. I like his pose. Luis52. Have you seen the snakes in my galery? I hope you like them to- Luis52.

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 469 W: 60 N: 947] (3016)
  • [2007-05-29 1:16]

Oh oh oh.....I didnt know these guys could record data like this....non-venomous it could be , but i tell you girl, TN has really pushed you to get into all sorts of adventure ..darting behind all the nice beautiful creations around us.
A wonderful shot you have here,with superb eye contact and that nice litle black fork beautifully held out.

And on this occasion after reading your note i feel, it's high time all the TNers said a prayer of thanks to supporting husbands/wives, kids and to the extended families ..who fcailitate shots in the foliage, over the roof and even under water.....Amen!!!!!

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