Rattlesnake!

[Bob Allen]

Southwestern speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus.

This beauty was sunning near huge granitic boulders in Joshua Tree National Park, within the Mojave Desert of southern California. Noticed it as we walked nearby. Admired it from a distance. When it decided to move beneath a boulder, I laid down and photographed it from afar. It was very dark beneath the boulder. It was rattling though the tail is not visible in the photo. This species is noted for its salt & pepper coloring over its other colors.

I am torn about the highlight on its tongue and those on the body below the head: keep them or lose them? Your comments?

Canon EOS 5D, Canon 100-400L IS @400mm, Canon Speedlight 580EX @+0.3
ISO 100, 1/60 sec, f/5.6, handheld.
13 October 2007
Cropped top & bottom.

[David Fletcher]

Very polished repost! Cool shot. Highlights livable, as minimal. the comp is strong enough to carry those any day. Fan of North Park? way to go.

[Fabs Forns]

Very nice as presented and I like your choice of pano crop and placement in the frame.

[Harshad Barve]

Pano crop looks very nice, repost looks good
nice cool buddy showing tongue
TFS