S-Curve in the Dark

Southern black racer.
Coluber constrictor priapus.
August 18th, 2006.
Residential; Mt. Dora, Florida.
Nikon D70s.
~~~~~

I found this southern black racer trekking across my parents' back yard over in Mt. Dora, Florida. Racers are non-venomous but highly alert snakes. They're quite agile and rather speedy. Hence the clever name "racer".

I'm in the back patio during this shot, holding the snake with my left hand and shooting with the right. Using the flash, the ambient light was completely blacked out in this shot. The end result came out very, very dark - but rather atmospheric. I love how those eyes just pop out...

A shot like this probably wouldn't print very well, but is still fun on a monitor.

~ janson