Another uncooperative subject.

[DickyOZ]

I tried all angles, even crawling under the tree but just couldn't get a smile.



I think she was digesting her lunch and just wanted to snooze...

I was quite unaware of a Tawny Frogmouth right next to my ear until it shrieked and flew to another tree. Luckily my camera bag contains both a snake bandage and change of underwear. So again I missed a perfect opportunity.




After the morning's heavy rain.

[pnodrog]

Must have been frustrating not being able to photograph snakes eyes. Eye suppose that is just how the dice tumble sometimes... (sorry I have just been visiting an egg thread) I take it it is a python of some sort.

It is unnecessary of you to inform me of the contents of you camera bag. It conjured up a very disturbing mental image. I find Tawny Frogmouths a bit disturbing as well but your second shot is pretty good in spite of some softness around the beak area. Was it an out of focus twig or leaf spoiling it just a little bit.?

Have these all been taken in your back garden?

[DickyOZ]

Must have been frustrating not being able to photograph snakes eyes. Eye suppose that is just how the dice tumble sometimes... (sorry I have just been visiting an egg thread) I take it it is a python of some sort.

It is unnecessary of you to inform me of the contents of you camera bag. It conjured up a very disturbing mental image. I find Tawny Frogmouths a bit disturbing as well but your second shot is pretty good in spite of some softness around the beak area. Was it an out of focus twig or leaf spoiling it just a little bit.?

Have these all been taken in your back garden?

Thanks Paul, alas there was a leaf in the way of the Frogmouth. If I had paid attention to what was around me instead of focusing on just the snake (a Carpet Python) I would have had full view of the Frogmouth at a distance of just a few feet; they stand like statues until you are close enough to touch them. Both were taken about 1km from where we live, I often go for a walk down there because it is on the seafront and mangrove swamp so there is a smorgasbord of wildlife.
Dicky.

[IzzieK]

The next morning, God made you steps to climb up to heaven...just in case you did not manage to change your underwear... Good shot, I will try to avoid going with you under the tree again...

[TonyW]

The way to make a carpet python smile is to tickle its tummy. I have done that, not so much to make it smile but to move it along a bit to expose the head. It's quite weird to feel the muscles underneath rippling as it moves along.

I like the fungus especially.

[Wavelength]

Class..... Which is that snake? never seen such a white one...

[Shadowman]

And you didn't think about poking it? Nice captures and funny response to the frogmouth encounter.

[pnodrog]

I thought it may be a carpet python but the only ones I have seen had some of the markings encircled the body. However just goggled them and I see the markings can be far more varied than I thought.

Mind you it also said there were identifying scales on the head.......

[DickyOZ]

Class..... Which is that snake? never seen such a white one...

It is a Carpet Python, their colour can vary quite a bit although they are usually much darker. This one lives in an area of pale reeds and grasses so perhaps it has managed to blend in to increase its hunting success rate.

[DickyOZ]

I thought it may be a carpet python but the only ones I have seen had some of the markings encircled the body. However just goggled them and I see the markings can be far more varied than I thought.

Mind you it also said there were identifying scales on the head.......

Hi Paul,
most of the Carpet Pythons round here look like:




So the shy one is rather pale.

[pnodrog]

According to this the juveniles tend to be a darker brown and the mature ones become a more olive green. I photographed one on a road near the Queen Mary falls. At the time I had know idea what sort of snake it was and my wife was yelling at me from the car not to get to close. It was well over 2.5 meters long and a light olive green colour with very contrasting markings. I have seen a couple since in captivity and they are beautiful creatures.

[Ziggy]

Interesting series Richard.

[IzzieK]

Yikes Richard...you are not scare of these? You certainly go places...

Hi Paul,
most of the Carpet Pythons round here look like:




So the shy one is rather pale.

[DickyOZ]

Yikes Richard...you are not scare of these? You certainly go places...

Hi Izzie,
Carpet snakes are very good natured as a rule. If you have one in the loft you will never be troubled by rats or mice.

On the other hand I steer clear of poisonous snakes and treat them with the greatest respect.


But, to be fair to them, they do give you fair warning if you invade their space by writhing and hissing - only a fool would mess with them. Most snake bites happen when idiots attack snakes with brooms, shovels etc..

[IzzieK]

You will never find me with a snake in nature...'nuf said...