That #@%! blasted leaf!

[Loupey]

If only I could go back in time to snip, er move, that one leaf.

Wild snake (don't know the species).

[Bevb]

Nice shot Loupey, i like the DOF, sharp nose and eye, the rest soft. I think your brave getting this close to snakes, they are the one thing that makes me run a mile!!

[srobb]

Nice shot, loupey. Those leaves and twigs can be very bothersome when they are in the way. Love how you seem to have caught the tongue out and flicking. Won't hazard a guess on the species yet, though I don't think it is a poisonous one.

[paulnj]

That's a gartersnake .

As for the leaf, welcome to nature photography ;) I like the tongue action, do you think it liked your smell(they use the tongue to smell sort of)

[OldSchool]

Nice shot,

I love snakes, and sure don't mind the leaf.
Tim

[Loupey]

Gartersnake, huh? I picked one of those before and it pooped all over my arm. Stopped picking them up since. I guess its defense mechanism worked!

I have two other shots like this but without the tongue. The leaf isn't as intrusive but the snake looks fake in those.

I must smell good to snakes. Another time, my friend and I were fishing from a boat about 100 yards off Kelleys Island when we saw a snake swimming right at us. We thought it would turn but, instead, appeared to want to get in the boat. My friend ended up using his fishing rod to keep it out.

thanks everyone for the comments. this is one of the few snake pictures I have but is still one of my favorites because it was hard to get.

[Loupey]

Another shot to share. Not worthy of a new thread as it was hand held and quite soft. It was THE first wild snake photo I took (1984).

The only part I really like is the shape of the shadow of the head.

[paulnj]

that's a water snake they are a bit agressive when handled compared to gartersnakes which crap a nasty musk on you ;)