Posted by Jeroen Stel on September 15, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Hi Guys,
Have been out to photograph the autumn migration of the 3 Dutch Snakes and the Grass Snake is one of them. I found this juvenile one wich was propably in slough as the eyes where kind of blue and had a shield over them.
For the complete review of the 3 Snakes see my weblog: http://jeroenstel.blogspot.com/
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Canon Eos 1D Mark 3
Shutter speed: 1/250 sec
Aperture: F 8
Exposure mode: M
Exposure compensation: - 1
Flash:no
Flash exposure compensation: -
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: AI Focus
ISO: 800
Lens: Sigma 150mm F2.8 Macro
Focal length:195mm (incl. crop factor)
AF mode: Auto Focus
Handheld
Levels/Curves/USM/Contrast/Saturation/Noise Ninja/Homemade mix-Sharpening
Bibble Pro/Adobe Photoshop CS 4
_________________
Good things come to those who wait...
Golden rule in Nature & Wildlife Photography
Great photo as usual. The texture on the head scales is amazing!
What hits me is the combination of composition and depth of field. If there was more room for the snake to look into I would appreciate the image more since it seems like quite a shallow depth of field. I feel the current composition would look great with a greater depth of field.
I appreciate you're working at ISO 800 and f8 already. I'm guessing the light wasn't spectacularly bright.
Just my thoughts.
Chris
Posted by Jeroen Stel on September 15, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Hi Chris,
I too would have liked a tad more DOF but the light was indeed far from present and the Snake was moving quite rapidly as this was a youngster.
Considering the circumstances I think you did very well. I quite like the shallow dof.
Posted by Craig Jones on September 16, 2009 at 4:31 AM
Lovely shot and action captured,great detail in the head and very good under the conditions Jeroen
Posted by David Sewell on September 16, 2009 at 4:42 AM
Hi, Jeroen. A nice capture in the circumstances - the yellow collar is a little blown, but that is often a fact of life with this species, especially in adverse lighting conditions.
As for Tim's query, yes, you can pick them up. I have to do so frequently to weigh or measure them, or to photograph the underside, which is how we recognise individuals. They are not venomous, but do have two defensive mechanisms. One is to play dead, which is often amusing as a "dead" snake will also flick its tongue to check whether you are still there. The other is to vent its bowels, spraying the contents everywhere. The smell is very strong, and lingers - I sometimes describe them as the reptilian equivalent of a skunk. That is an exaggeration, but you may want to think before you handle one!
Posted by Brett Lewis on September 16, 2009 at 6:25 AM
Hi Jeroen,
An interesting picture however I prefer others from the sequence on your website, your right the youngsters do move fast and you have done well with the other images. This one looks very awkward to me as the posture just doesn't sit comfortable. Interesting lack of pigment at the end of the tongue for this one.. I'm sure it will darken with age.
Some nice 'male' adder shots you have to..
Good work,
Brett
Handling:
Can only echo David's comments re the handling and would add that the adults tend to play 'dead' when handled for any given period and may even hemorrhage from their mucosae in the event to warn off the predator or human. That, together with the putrid smell that David describes is probably the most you will get from a grass snake. Can I add that you should always keep handling to a minimum and please make sure you know enough about the animal and it's behaviour before doing so, so that you can tell when you are pushing your time to the limit. It is very easy to get carried away when you have a good encounter and want to 'fill your boots' .. As with all wildlife, think about the animal first and foremost..! ENJOY!
Posted by Andy Astbury on September 16, 2009 at 7:17 AM
Craddle snatcher - there it is, not long entered the big bad world and it sees your ugly mush - ever likely it's gone into cobra mode - poor little thing must be scared for life
I think the shot underneath this one on your blog is my favourite matey - and I really like those top two Brimstones as well...
Discussion
10 repliesHave been out to photograph the autumn migration of the 3 Dutch Snakes and the Grass Snake is one of them. I found this juvenile one wich was propably in slough as the eyes where kind of blue and had a shield over them.
For the complete review of the 3 Snakes see my weblog: http://jeroenstel.blogspot.com/
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Canon Eos 1D Mark 3
Shutter speed: 1/250 sec
Aperture: F 8
Exposure mode: M
Exposure compensation: - 1
Flash:no
Flash exposure compensation: -
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: AI Focus
ISO: 800
Lens: Sigma 150mm F2.8 Macro
Focal length:195mm (incl. crop factor)
AF mode: Auto Focus
Handheld
Levels/Curves/USM/Contrast/Saturation/Noise Ninja/Homemade mix-Sharpening
Bibble Pro/Adobe Photoshop CS 4
_________________
Good things come to those who wait...
Golden rule in Nature & Wildlife Photography
www.jeroenstel.com
www.wildpixels.nl
Great photo as usual. The texture on the head scales is amazing!
What hits me is the combination of composition and depth of field. If there was more room for the snake to look into I would appreciate the image more since it seems like quite a shallow depth of field. I feel the current composition would look great with a greater depth of field.
I appreciate you're working at ISO 800 and f8 already. I'm guessing the light wasn't spectacularly bright.
Just my thoughts.
Chris
I too would have liked a tad more DOF but the light was indeed far from present and the Snake was moving quite rapidly as this was a youngster.
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Will I get killed for asking?
Tim
As for Tim's query, yes, you can pick them up. I have to do so frequently to weigh or measure them, or to photograph the underside, which is how we recognise individuals. They are not venomous, but do have two defensive mechanisms. One is to play dead, which is often amusing as a "dead" snake will also flick its tongue to check whether you are still there. The other is to vent its bowels, spraying the contents everywhere. The smell is very strong, and lingers - I sometimes describe them as the reptilian equivalent of a skunk. That is an exaggeration, but you may want to think before you handle one!
David
Great stuff Jeroen.
Drew
An interesting picture however I prefer others from the sequence on your website, your right the youngsters do move fast and you have done well with the other images. This one looks very awkward to me as the posture just doesn't sit comfortable. Interesting lack of pigment at the end of the tongue for this one.. I'm sure it will darken with age.
Some nice 'male' adder shots you have to..
Good work,
Brett
Handling:
Can only echo David's comments re the handling and would add that the adults tend to play 'dead' when handled for any given period and may even hemorrhage from their mucosae in the event to warn off the predator or human. That, together with the putrid smell that David describes is probably the most you will get from a grass snake. Can I add that you should always keep handling to a minimum and please make sure you know enough about the animal and it's behaviour before doing so, so that you can tell when you are pushing your time to the limit. It is very easy to get carried away when you have a good encounter and want to 'fill your boots' .. As with all wildlife, think about the animal first and foremost..! ENJOY!
I think the shot underneath this one on your blog is my favourite matey - and I really like those top two Brimstones as well...