Cottonmouth

[dadas115]

I found this guy yesterday while out looking for snow geese. Lucky for me it was chilly out so he wasn’t very active. Usually they are very aggressive and I can’t get very close at all without them chasing me. This shot is the full frame and was taken at the minimum focusing distance of my 100-400mm IS lens (1.8m).

Greg

[SmartWombat]

>> Usually they are very aggressive and I can’t get very close at all without them chasing me
Hmm, related to that Aussie lunatic Steve Irwin by any chance?
Too close for my liking !

Oh, the photo?
I like it, but a bit more elevation would have made a great shot.
I'd try it with the monopod at full extension so I could be further away !
I admit it would make framing it harder, but I'd feel happier.

[gahspidy]

I like this Greg . The head and eyes are sharp and we can see the white mouth ( reason why they call it a cottonmouth) Maybe a bit further back might have been better as SmartWombat stated, but still a very good shot.

[dadas115]

Thanks for the comments folks. Here is another shot of the same snake, maybe more to your liking?

Greg

[paulnj]

Greg,

The cottonmouth/water moccasin is actually one of the calmer venomous species in the west ;)

Don't sweat the fact that heat makes them chase you.... because the usually dry bite anyway .

Oh, and they are one of the less toxic pit vipers too ;)

Nice image of a snake in defense mode HIISING to warn you he is not happy .He is actually not set to TRUELY strike you , though he can strike a foot or so in that position.

Did I mention I know snake as well as birds

[dadas115]

I have actually dealt with lots of copperheads, coral snakes and several types of rattlesnakes and I have never seen the type of aggressive behavior that I have seen from the moccasins in this area. Every other snake I have encountered tries to get away from me and only strikes if I provoke it. These moccasins will actually come after me if I just get near them. Since you are the expert about snakes I would like to know what you consider to be the aggressive ones. Certainly not copperheads or any sort of rattlesnake that might be found in TX as I have seen just about all of them and never had any sort of aggressive behavior from them. Of course this one on this particular day was not really interested in doing anything but soaking up some sun as it was in the high 50’s low 60’s when I took these pictures. On the day I took this picture (last Sunday) the temp was in the 80’s and this guy was mad as heck that I was around. He kept chasing the boat around and trying to get in.

Thanks very much for your comments.

Greg

[paulnj]

OOPS.... seems the western species of cottonmouth(meaning below maryland) are one of THE MOST aggressive snakes .. I was wrong! the ones here don't seem to be aggressive at all .

They do chase you down

lack of sleep and a few yummy bloodymarys confused me ;)

But they are low in toxicity and dry bite alot(so I read), though I have never been bit by one to prove it.

[SmartWombat]

This photo in the water I really like.
Good lighting, a good shape to the snake, the contrast of its curves against the water's surface, the reflection of the head.
I'd like the opportunity to get photos like this, but haven't had a camera and snake together - then it would probably only be a grass snake

[shadz]

He even looks mad in that shot! hehehe