Looking down the throat of a Cotton Mouth

[James Phillips]

Took this shot out shooting for Birds. I saw him at about 20 yds or so away and grabbed the 70-200 and got within 2 ft of him as I took pictures and got to get a close up view insides ones mouth. He wasn't a happy camper to say the least and yes I was well within his striking distance.

Exif is

AV f/5.6
Shutter 1/1000
ISO 500
Lens 70-200 f/2.8 IS
Body Canon 1dMKIII

[Stu Bowie]

Not someone I would like to run into while out taking images of birds. Tell me Im correct in saying this guy is part of the rattlesnake family, thus highly poisonous. That would be the same as our puff adders, or gabon viper, one of the most poisonous snakes in the world. BTW, great behavioural shot of the ugly guy.

[James Phillips]

Yes this snake is very venomous and they are also vert aggressive snakes to say the least. What I had done was I got into position and then let him come up on me so that I didn't get struck from the snake. Then I just made a slight movement and this is when he began to display his posture yet not enough of fear to strike. I did have a Biologist there with me and yes they had a snake bite kit, just glad it didn't need to be used. I'm sure this photo will be used on one of the TWRA websites as this was the purpose of actually getting down there to take the photo, although snake hunting/photos is not what I like to do or care to do I'll stick to the birds.

[Ed Cordes]

Cool snake. We have timber rattlers here in NY. Yes, they are poisonous, but generally don't strike humans unless they feel threatened. Your image certainly shows why the name cotton mouth is appropriate. Light is a bit harsh and you could have used your finger to reach up and turned his head a little. ;)

[James Phillips]

I agree on the lighting it was time to call it quits when he came out. I'm still learnin PS and PP and I worked with the contrast highlights and shadows the best I knew how to try and take some of that away but still hold enough detail on the subject. Now as far as getting him pointed at the lens I actually was using my hand to get his attention but looks like I didn't do as well as I liked on the pose! Guess I could call it a lucky day as I could had venom dripping off the lens :) or worse yet a pair of holes in me:(

Cool snake. We have timber rattlers here in NY. Yes, they are poisonous, but generally don't strike humans unless they feel threatened. Your image certainly shows why the name cotton mouth is appropriate. Light is a bit harsh and you could have used your finger to reach up and turned his head a little. ;)