Vine snake

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 30, 2012861 views20 comments

The green vine snake is quite ubiquitous in India, but is rarely seen because of its perfect camouflage as it resides in low trees and bushes. It is mildly poisonous, causing swelling and pain, but no deaths have ever been recorded. It usually feeds on frogs and lizards, which it catches using its binocular vision. Note the horizontal pupils. When disturbed, as this one was, it inflates its body to reveal a black and white scale marking. It also opens its mouth in a threat display and strikes out repeatedly. There is a mistaken belief in south India that it gouges out a sleeping person's eyes! The species is viviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young.
Species: Vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta)
Location: Near Bangalore, India
Date: Jan, 2012
Equip: Canon 7D, Canon 70-200 f2.8 at 185mm
Specs: ISO 250, f7.1, 1/250s, hand-held

Thank you for taking the time out to look, and for your comments/critiques.

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 30, 2012 at 10:54 AM

Ajit, very nice detail in this image. I really like the colors and the position you have caught the snake in. Can't think of anything I would change. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on January 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Cool shot, Ajit.
Even though the eye is dead center of the image, having the room for a strike in frame is more important here, IMO.
Very nice.
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on January 30, 2012 at 12:32 PM

This is awesome! Love the open mouth & the pose on this. Thanks for the description of the unique behavior as well!

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Clinton Bauder on January 30, 2012 at 12:52 PM

Love it. Agree with Neil about the composition - having room for the strike is perfect. Gorgeous colors.

Clinton

Registered on December 8, 2009, 31 Posts, 231 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 30, 2012 at 1:43 PM

Excellent exposure, Ajit. I really enjoyed studying this one in detail and your description added to the enjoyment. In terms of composition, this is fine, but to my tastes I feel it might be even stronger if you took a thin crop from the right, just enough to move center from the eye to perhaps the "V" edge of the mouth. Of course that is a totally subjective thing, but take a look at it that way too!
Good posting!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on January 30, 2012 at 3:15 PM

Excellent shot of this wonderful species- Fine detail, awesome BG and a fantastic dinamic pose on this image- Thank for sharing, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 30, 2012 at 3:30 PM

Beautiful snake - thanks for the added info too.
Fine detail, great "pose", and complimentary BG.
Very Nice image!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on January 30, 2012 at 4:52 PM

Wonderful colours and subject.

Very well done!

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 30, 2012 at 10:56 PM

This is super cool

Love those curvy lines, a sweet photo of a beautiful snake.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on January 30, 2012 at 11:07 PM

I'm glad I didn't meet him when I was in India!

Wonderful image all-around!

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on January 30, 2012 at 11:38 PM

Some of you commented on the eye being in the dead centre of the frame and wanted it to be pulled back. Unfortunately, this is a full frame image; so, I've had to add some canvas to the right. Is this better? I actually liked the eye dead centre.....but...!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 31, 2012 at 12:33 AM

Ajit, my idea was to crop some from the right, rather than add canvas. Experiment a bit, but take pleasure that it came out so nice full frame.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on January 31, 2012 at 4:17 AM

This is a wonderful image, I can't add more to what has been said and suggested, but I do prefer the repost with the additional canvas as it definately adds a feeling of space which works well for me...

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on January 31, 2012 at 6:50 AM

Oops! Sorry, Lon! Here is the repost with a sliver off the right to bring the V of the gape in the centre.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 31, 2012 at 1:39 PM

Yep, this is how I would frame it!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Jude Haase on January 31, 2012 at 9:56 PM

Beautiful capture!!

Registered on April 3, 2006, 236 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on February 7, 2012 at 4:01 PM

Very nice pose and comp! Works all around for me.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Deibert on February 8, 2012 at 9:21 AM

Well, like everyone is saying...great shot! Background, colors, details, sharpness - all working in harmony. I would like to see this a little wider for a little more striking space, but this is also great just the way it is!