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Orpheo Verdo ... past slumber mode.


Orpheo Verdo ... past slumber mode.
Photo Information
Copyright: Jay Meeuwig (Shoot_Score) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 445 W: 302 N: 670] (2376)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2003-07-01
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Fuji FinePix 3800
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-28 20:36
Viewed: 5889
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
... aka Green Pretzel with Eyes: head to tail ...

Imagine my surprise in the Summer of 2003 when I walked out in my yard and found a shy(?) snake sleeping on some crushed gravel right next to the flagstone path I as walking on. I am sure that the "noise" of my shoes caused the snake to come out of its slumber. Even so it took a bit before it really moved its head... This snake is quite a smooth customer! It might have been in the sunshine when it fell asleep and before I found it.

I was/am very grateful that this snake had assumed the pretzel position, for that allowed me to get all of the snake in my frame, head to toe. As I took a few shots it became more lively... Here it's looking at me.

On the previous shot it was still in slumber mode
Rick Price has pointed out on this previous post that
"when our rattlesnakes hide their head like this it's a defensive move"...
On the previous shot it was still in slumber mode


I trust that me identification is correct. Here is what I found in Wiki:
The Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis) is a non-venomous North American snake, also called a 'Grass Snake' in American English.
It is a snake of increasing conservation concern in some U.S. states.

The snake is bright green and found mainly in moist meadows, prairies and clearings in coniferous forest. They are almost entirely insectivorous eating mainly crickets, grasshoppers, and smooth caterpillars.


Tech stuff: Shot with my Fuji3800; photo rotated 10 degrees to get the most in; scaled and some colour saturation

PS This was shot on CANADA DAY;
I am looking forward to the summer weather of same...
lovenature, Adanac, mlines, s_a_s_h_a, Silvio2006, thor68, Hil, anniejo, horia, metcher, JPlumb has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Toba_O: a great capture of a snake!Shoot_Score 1 06-27 20:32
To thor68: i actually prefer the brown pretzels with the saShoot_Score 1 04-29 17:17
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Jay
Wow... what a great capture of this Green Snake. I didn't know we had this species of snake in Canada. Nice detail and colour. I wonder what this Canada Day will bring?
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2007-04-28 22:15]

Hi Jay,
Great details and colors in this fine capture, our snakes are coming out at least there is a large number of road kill. Thanks for sharing this greeny.
Rick

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-04-28 22:24]

Hello Jay

An excellent post of this not oft seen serpent.The focus and details are excellent.Love how he has tucked his head below his body ,and is peeking out at you.Lovely natural colours and super texture of the skin.TFS

Rob

Hi Jay. Very fine sharp capture of this green snake. Perhaps the clearest seen to date. Excellent view. TFS. Murray.

Hello Jay,
I like the way the head is peeping out!
I guess his motto is "...alway alert!"...
Good details are captured, and the reptile gives a posture suitable to photograph!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi Jay,
What a great shot of this green snake. Great details and colors.

By the way - Green Snake aka "Зеленый Змий" (russian) - alcohol.

Well done
Alex

Hi Jay,
By knowing this is a non-venomous snake, I can safely say that this is a cute little green snake. POV and composition are great. Very nice sharpness and color contrast. TFS.
JC

Hi Jay, great capture of this looooong green snake with splendid light and colors, wonderful details, very well done, ciao Silvio

i actually prefer the brown pretzels with the salt.*g* and really interesting,
i always thought nova scotia was maybe to cold for snakes.
anyway, excellent shot, wonderful colors and details and a terrific pose.
well done & take care, thor.

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
  • [2007-04-29 17:55]

Hi Jay

Great capture of the Green Snake, nicely composed shot and a great pose, how kind of the Snake to make sure you could get all of him in your shot, really good detail on the scale and nice natural colours too.

TFS Hilary :o)

EWWWWW!!! What a "beauty"....I think. Never
been an admirer of snakes, but this one is quite pretty.
You've seemed to have captured this one in all its glory!! Do I see a puncture wound in its side? Wonder if perhaps it was injured.
Nice contrast with the gray rocks, and good composition as well, with a GREAT focus and POV!!
Nicely photoed!!

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2007-04-30 8:36]

Hi Jay

I've been again "a little" busy these days, but i'm getting to this beautiful snake...finally :)
Fist of all (before i forget): thanks for the help with my WS picture of the jumping spider. Very hepful! ;)

This too is a lovely shot of this beautiful spider. I just came back from a small walk around the thermal lake from near my town where i've just seen at least 15-20 snakes (2 speceis) :) I am actually very happy that thier population is going so well in that lovely habitat.

The pose of the snake here is indeed very nice - coiled-up there - but your POV here was a bit better than in the first one. Indeed the small eye-contact does great to add something to the overall composition!
That aside, the details and colors are charming, just like in the other one.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • edal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 374 W: 48 N: 413] (1853)
  • [2007-05-02 6:00]

Hi Jay!
It seems typical of these green snakes to be sleeping wrapped in it's own coils - I've seen them only in the zoo but they behave similarly.

I like your shot for the genuine capture of snake's behavior at large.
TFS
Anton

Hi, Jay.
Good catch. Nice colors, good sharpness and details.

  • Great 
  • JPlumb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 618 W: 158 N: 896] (2904)
  • [2007-05-08 18:33]

Hi Jay, excellent shot of the grass snake. As you said, the pretzel formation helped a lot. Very considerate of this guy to pose like this for you. I've haven't seen one of these guys yet. Something else for me to watch out for. Nice eye!

Thanks, John

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2007-05-22 17:16]

Hi Jay,

Although I am not so fond of them,they cross my path as well sometimes,you managed to capture whole of the snake in a nice pose and looks almost if he is hiding,

Wlel dnoe and takhns for sahinrg

Paul

very nice colours!
a great capture of a snake!
i like the green of the snake!
tfs TOba

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