SN(EIGH)K, aka Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi) by darylo

SN(EIGH)K, aka Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi)

See alternate view: http://365project.org/darylo/365/2014-03-02

I decided that this week, for the first week in the “Macro March,” I would use my macro clip to photograph all the budding bushes or trees and attempt to identify them (like a mini-science lesson for myself). It would be a nice way to document the first signs of spring (and bore you all to death with Latin names and such--really get into it— like I was a scientist or something--haha).

On my way up the hill to a bush that every bird in the planet loves (and I have no idea what it is called), I had my macro clip and kit lens ready. My back hill is quite steep, so I needed to check my footing. I looked down, and there was this little snake taking in some of the sun’s rays (blending in the hill so well that when I called others out to have a look, my family thought I was seeing things--that shot is in my 365 album and link is at top of this narrative). I had to abandon the idea of using my macro clip, but as any macro enthusiast knows, some lenses will function in a macro mode (as does my 75-300) lens. I had a nice distance, and I had one lucky shot that had the eye and face in focus!

In this one, I had some more light, but I’ll admit, I put the kit lens (can’t use the zoom with that distance) a bit too close for comfort (used in live view and just kept lowering the camera and using the auto focus).
It’s rather bland, and as you can see in my other shot (notice how light changes things), it has some markings on its back—I just found it's identity: http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/stodek.htm. I did not harm it; my husband scooped it and put it over our fence in the back where it might enjoy a more wooded home atmosphere.

So for Macro March, I’m thinking (starting Monday) of a week of budding plants. After that, depending on weather, I’d like a week of bugs, and then a week of structural things, and then I’ll probably change it all again. My goal at the beginning of this year was to learn my lenses well, so this is a good month to use the macro-clip or get real close with the others! Here’s a link to the challenge if anyone’s up for joining in: http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/21294/any-interest-in-a-macro-march
Ooooooo what a fabulous find!So exciting and beautifully photographed.love the curves! He should be hibernating! I am searching through my Audubon reptile book.If I find him I'll bore you with his Latin name! Fav!
March 2nd, 2014  
@mzzhope Yay! I love my reptile loving friends (they give me the creeps, but I have much more appreciation for them than I ever did), and I would love the Latin and everything! A 365 classroom this month for sure! Thanks for the fav. You are too kind.
March 2nd, 2014  
Wonderful! Such gr(eight) shapes!! You said he was blending in, but he's on all that white, did you move him?
March 2nd, 2014  
@mzzhope WHOA! Bad sentence there. The "they" appears that I mean my reptile loving friends give me the creeps. As an English teacher, I will use this as a teachable moment and say I have a very ambiguous pronoun reference there. Here's the rewrite: I love my reptile loving friends (I can't say I share their love of snakes, but I have much more appreciation of snakes than I ever did before)...
March 2nd, 2014  
@m9f9l Yes, we scooped him up in a bucket and then popped him over the fence. I haven't properly edited the narratives for each shot. I'm having all kinds of writing problems today!
March 2nd, 2014  
Hooray! Snakes mean spring can't be far behind! Wonderful photo! He is gorgeous!
March 2nd, 2014  
Great shot
March 2nd, 2014  
Great shot. Wow!!!
March 2nd, 2014  
hot dog! this one shows his marking so much better! I applaud your bravery in taking the shot! He was probably too cold to do much harm.
March 2nd, 2014  
@grammyn He was pretty small and the chances of a venomous one is slim really. I have learned that over the year. But I have photographed a copperhead before and the tale about how I took it is a pretty funny one: http://darylohare.blogspot.com/2010/04/snakes-dogs-and-delta.html
March 2nd, 2014  
@darylo That was a good story! I think even copperheads will go the other way given the opportunity. Generally snakes like to avoid confrontation unless cornered or molting!
March 2nd, 2014  
As longs as a snake isn't poisonous, I find tit a fascinating creature to watch -- that wonderful gliding sort of slither and the beauty of their scales, especially garters with their blue and green iridescent scales. The first time I picked one up I was surprised it was dry -- I expected it to feel slimy for sone reason. How nice for you that spring has come. I think she isn't planning to come this way until her hounds drive Winter away.
March 2nd, 2014  
Awesome story!!!!
March 3rd, 2014  
Maybe a prairie king snake?
March 3rd, 2014  
The double coil of this snake is a rare beauty. You are fortunate to see it arranged so perfectly, and the photo is wonderful. Fav.
March 3rd, 2014  
Very cool capture! I love the shape it's in! When I glanced at the thumbnail I thought it was a rope you had arranged!
March 3rd, 2014  
gave me goosebumps looking at it, we don't have snakes over here ! Great capture though and you are way braver than me
March 3rd, 2014  
great capture
March 3rd, 2014  
Gorgeous capture and I am glad he was okay. The pattern on his skin is beautiful.
March 4th, 2014  
it looks like a figure 8!
March 5th, 2014  
Yikes! I don't mind snakes as long as I can identify the snake as harmless and they don't get too close to me! LOL!
March 12th, 2014  
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