Lawn critter

[jeeperman]

Yes I am still here... Summer tends to be my extra busy time at work, thus little time to get out for regular shoots. Got home today and grabbed the camera for a little trip around my front yard to see what I see. This little guy saw me first. C&C most welcome.

[jiro]

Nice! I love the color saturation and the details! I would assume this is not the poisonous variety type, right? Your composition, Paul is also very good (for me).

[jeeperman]

Thanks Jiro, the snake is of the common Garter snake variety. Non poisonous. I get all different colors of them around here from red, yellow, blue and many more. This guy was a very nice orange. He was big for what I find in the yard @ about 2 1/2 ft and as big around as your thumb.

[Steve S]

Nice job on these paul. Love the bright orange color.

[rpcrowe]

Hi Jiro...

I am no snakeologist but, I believe that except for the coral snake, most (if not all) poisonous snakes (at least those in the USA) have a rather flat/angular snout rather than a rounded one.

Still, one of the above guys scared the dickens out of my wife and I as it was on a beam at the top of our Jacuzzi gazebo. Even though I knew it wasn't poisonous, he or she was a darn big snake and kind of spoiled the romantic allure of the Jacuzzi for that night. I never saw it again. Perhaps my ugly nakedness bothered the snake as much as the snake bothered me.

BTW: nice shots Paul. I hope I don't meet that guy's big brother in my dreams tonight.

[jiro]

Thanks, Richard. I am not so sure but I think somebody told me that poisonous snakes have different eyes compared to the non-poisonous ones like this one. I, for one is not that brave when I see one may it be poisonous or not so I have to say Paul is brave to even get that close and take these shots.

[jeeperman]

Thanks Steve and Richard
Willie, I once had a fear of snakes...that is until I found myself in a sittuation having to house and care for several, some quite large. I had always been into lizards but not snakes. It took some doing but I was able to overcome my fear and have since owned some 8ft+ snakes. Which reminds me of the thread concerning reasons for tattoos. I have a large snake tattoo, it reminds me fear is only a state of mind and you can overcome any fear you might have (through education} and should never let one hold you back. These Garter Snakes are fairly easy to handle, though a bit smelly. The first shot was via my 75-300, the second was with the 50mm and laying on the ground within a foot of him. I was right at the nearest focus distance.

[DTruex]

Very nice use of the focal area. I like the composition of both photos. The first one I like the most. It is peering into my soul.

Good job Paul

[JohnC]

Class shots. Good job you know your snakes-looks like this one has attitude