Backyard Visitor

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 22, 2008662 views12 comments

This is a juvenile everglades racer that I decided to shoot in my yard yesterday. Of course I had to capture him as I'm pretty sure he wasn't gonna wait around for me to get my camera and gear. I love the color and pattern of these juvies and I wish they stayed this way throughout their lives.
My long lens is out of commission right now. The focusing mechanism is messed up for the third time!

The only way I can use it is with extension tubes because I actually use the zoom to focus instead of the focus ring... This may be a reason why you guys haven't seen much of me lately. I think I have learned my lesson in comprimising and settling for cheaper equipment. Although the quality of the images from my Sigma is pretty damn good, I have to question the construction quality... And the paint sucks too!
Anyway, I was kinda' hoping for this effect with the DOF as I was trying to put a composition together. Can't get a whole lot more depth when shooting macro I guess. BTW I did release the snake when I was done (actually he was technically already released when I photographed him).
I may make this a small series since I took over 200 shots of the little guy... Do you think it's worth it?

Comments and critiques welcome

Canon 40D
Sigma 100-300mm EX
Kenko 36mm ext. tube
ISO 1000
1/30 sec. @ f/8
tripod mounted

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Rick Gomez on September 22, 2008 at 9:15 PM

Here's a B&W version.

Registered on March 3, 2007, 206 Posts, 1853 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on September 23, 2008 at 12:48 AM

What a pretty little snake Rick. I prefer the color version by far here. I like the shallow DOF but wish the head of the snake was in front of the green patch of the BG, IMO that would make the image much stronger. Since you have 200 sots, maybe you have one like that? Did you get any with the tongue out?

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 23, 2008 at 11:54 PM

Great eye contact from a very cute little snake. I too prefer the color version.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on September 24, 2008 at 1:21 AM

Beautiful sparkling image, I prefer the colour version.
Long time back, I too happened to try a Sigma lense, although quality was Ok but later paint happened to turn sticky due to moist weather. I decided never to buy Sigma again. Anyway its like having poor glasses on an expensive frame. There is an Indian saying that 'if you buy something expensive you cry once but if you go for cheap quality you have to cry many times'.
Jagdeep Rajput - India.

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on September 24, 2008 at 4:01 AM

Rick,

very nice. I like how the head seems to come out of the image. All over the framing and composition works very well.

Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on September 24, 2008 at 6:10 PM

Sweet! The B&W is nice, but the color really rocks with the red-green clash. Great DOF too-

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 25, 2008 at 3:57 PM

Rick, this is very nice, absolutely love the colors and the green bg. The B&W is nice as well, but I do prefer the color in this shot.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on September 29, 2008 at 12:26 PM

Excellent Rick. The limited DoF really puts the emphasis where it should be in this image. Congrats on the EP.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on September 30, 2008 at 2:33 AM

The snake may be harmless but the photo is a killer! Congrats on the EP, Rick!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on September 30, 2008 at 7:15 AM

Congratulations on the EP! The subject is something I will never seek out and I thank you for the chance to see an Everglades Racer. The color version is definitely my choice. Again, congratulations.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on September 30, 2008 at 12:55 PM

Yes, you achieved success in the DOF effect, very nicely captured.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on October 4, 2008 at 10:47 PM

Striking (no pun intended) composition. Congrats on the EP.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments