Nearly stepped on it.

[Steve Bein]

A few days ago at Antelope Valley, I ran into this rattler. It is a baby and was annoyed with me.
Anyway, I shook his hand and we conversed, not. Actually, we worked him around and he settled under the bush. I took three images focused on different parts of him and then blended them in PS CS2.
I wonder if this would look better in HDR, but do not know how to do it.

40D
180mm
1/8 sec, f/11
Mode: Av
Metering: Unknown
Exp comp: -1/3
ISO: 400

[edward saltau]

cool cool find! Looks a bit soft on the head though. is that due to the blending? I don't think you'd need an HDR for this guy.

[Robert Amoruso]

Steve,

I like the look of the image and the large DOF. What gives it away is the front coil, head and back coil are in focus but there is a section behind the head OOF. If that part was in focus....

HDR not needed. I like the soft look.

[Ed Cordes]

Striking image!!! LOL Exposure is good as presented. It is a nice job of blending but I can see what Robert is referring to, so perhaps a little additional PS work is in order?