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Eye to Eye


Eye to Eye
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-08-28
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon 40D, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2010-08-28 17:46
Viewed: 3595
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
NO POINTS PLEASE
as this is my last post until we get back from vacation in Hyder, Alaska. We are off to see the salmon run and the bears that go with it.

I took this close up image of a Prairie Rattlesnake at work today. Here is some information on these snakes from Alberta Sustainable Resources.

Size

Body is large and heavy, with a length that ranges from 80 centimetres to 1.4 metres (32 inches to 5 feet).
In general, male rattlesnakes are larger than the females.

Appearance

Head is broad and heart-shaped.
Rough scales sit above the eyes, which are cat-like with vertical pupils.
Body colour ranges from yellow-green to brown, with dark brown, irregular blotches and spots down the back and sides.
Tail is tipped by a rattle that, when vibrated, makes a distinct buzzing sound to warn larger animals of the snake’s presence.

Distribution

In Alberta, this snake ranges in Alberta’s Grassland Natural Region, south of the Red Deer River and east of Lethbridge.
Natural History

Habitat

Habitat for this species includes:
Drier areas of native grassland and sagebrush, often close to a river valley or coulee
Farm fields and pastures
Rocky outcrops
Sandy soil near rock piles or flat boulders
Stony canyons

Food

Prey includes warm-blooded animals, including:
Juvenile ground squirrels
Mice
Songbirds
Voles
Adult rattlesnakes will also take amphibians and other reptiles if the opportunity presents itself.
Juvenile rattlesnakes feed mainly on invertebrates.
Adult rattlesnakes subdue or kill prey by striking and delivering venom through two elongated hollow fangs. Prey is consumed whole, starting with the head.

When Active

In Alberta, prairie rattlesnakes are active from mid-April to October. Winters are spent in dens, or hibernacula.
Are most active in the mornings and evenings of sunshine-filled days.
At night, rattlesnakes can be found on roads, where they are attracted to the heat.

Reproduction and Growth
Breeding Behaviour

Mating occurs when the snakes emerge from their dens in the spring. Breeding occurs every two to three years.
Female rattlesnakes carry their developing embryos in specialized membranes within their bodies, later giving birth to live young in August or September.
Rattlesnake litters consist of anywhere from 4 to 12 young.
Rattlesnakes are about 28 centimetres (11 inches) long at birth.
Young snakes reach sexual maturity at between five to seven years of age.
Argus, boreocypriensis, haraprasan, lovenature, oscarromulus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2010-08-28 22:37]

Hello Rick,
I think this deserves a smiley anyway Rick!
I like the eye contact and sharp details of the face in this front view of a Rattler, including the forked tongue. You must have been close to take this!
Great work!
Thanks and have a great time in Alaska.
Ivan

Good morning MF Rick,

This is absolutely deserves thousands smiles but i can give only one:) Hope you do not mind this:) hehe..
Astonishgly awesome capture taken from frontal POV of this magnficent beauty with its lovely bifurcated tongue extended out while trying to smell you:)
Simply superb image MF! Habve a nice trip. I'll also go to S Anatolia tommrrow night! Take care!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2010-08-29 1:21]

Hi Rick,
Why no points? It deserves it. Fantastic fontal POV in excellent sharp details, also with the tongue. Great DOF and natural colours. Very attractive composition. Have a nice vacation!
Regards,
Peter

Hi Rick,
A lovely captured portrait of this Prairie Rattlesnake. Very well composed with sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing. Best of luck. Wish more photos from there of bears and salmon fight :).

Hi Rick,have a safe trip to Alaska and get some excellent wildlife shots while you are there.This photo sure looks interesting and that snake has it's eyes on you to be sure.It looks like you got in pretty close to have the detail of it's eyes so very well.No points as you ask but it sure is worth them just the same.Thanks once again for sharing yet another interesting wildlife photo.

Bob

Hello Rick,
Wooow! Beautiful image with great focus, wonderful eye contact, natural colours, excellent POV and composition. Well done!
Regards,
Mircea

what a capture, tfs

Hi Rick
How about 5 stars ***** or 10 out of 10 or A+ or 100%
I think this is an awesome image and it really deserves to be seen along with accolades. Your view of this big boy is absolutely fantastic. Thanks for sharing your rattlesnake with us today.
Janice

Rick,
NO POINTS PLEASE????
But this is a GREAT image.
I told you so when you sent it to me this week.
Am so happy it did not strike.
Have a great vaction and return home safely.
Kind regards from Calgary,
M.

  • Great 
  • ana974 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 477 W: 48 N: 968] (4857)
  • [2010-09-02 18:14]

Dear Rick,
Your snak is absolutely beautiful ! Many congrats for such wonderful pic. Thanks for sharing!
Have a nice w-end.
Love from aNa

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