Journalistic pictures I've taken; *Neat* subject!

Spyder-BRP

Here are a few scenes from the last couple of days. I'm still getting used to this new camera and am too shaky to use a telephoto outdoors in the wind and all. Maybe a monopod is in my future - or should be!

And can anyone identify those snakes? I thought they were blotched water snakes but the scale pattern does not seem right. Whatever they are, there are many here and (obviously) soon to be more. :eek:

I'm fairly sure those are water moccasins. Keep your distance.

Their fat bodies give them away.

This adorable bird seems to be a black backed stilt, but according to my bird books it does not usually found here. I guess the bird can't read.

"probably looking for answers"

Great shot. Is that a duck's head in the foreground?

No, just another rock emerging from the surface of the lake. It's interesting to see what has been hidden along the lake bottom, but I'd rather have a huge storm fill it back up. The poor fish must be swimming sideways by now. The great blue herons just stand around and jab their fill. A couple of them have taken to eating catfish while standing right about where that stilt stood. Interesting to watch the process.

Is that a "dark stripe that runs behind the eye alongside the head"?

When in doubt...... get the fuck out!

Here's one swimming high and one swimming low: so I guess we may have venomous and non-venomous snakes in there. Neat!*
Hmmm... hard to tell that the bottom pic is of a snake, isn't it? I love to watch them swimming. It's fascinating, absolutely awesome. No hands, either! Try that, Mr. Phelps!

*Opinion will probably change after I, or one of my pets, gets bit!

Many outdoor enthusiasts have encountered snakes around ponds, lakes, creeks, rivers, or other wet areas. Without a field guide, how would you know what kind it was? There are many kinds of water snakes including red bellied (shown above), banded, brown and southern to name a few. Comparing their markings to a water moccasin can confuse the casual glance. Rest assured, a brochure provided by the GA DNR contains excellent advice, photos and information on water moccasins and water snakes. Here are some highlights on identifying these reptiles of the aquatic persuasion:

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Water moccasins, or "Cottonmouths," are relatively short and wide. Water snakes are longer and more slender.
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Water moccasins bask on land, or on logs and stumps near water surface.
Water snakes are good climbers and spend a lot of time basking on branches hanging over water.
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Water moccasins move slowly and defend their territory while water snakes move quickly away from disturbances.
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When swimming, cottonmouths keep their heads elevated above the water and bodies riding nearly on the water surface. Water snakes keep their head and body low and below the water surface.
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Cottonmouths always cock their heads at a 45 degree angle on land. Water snakes keep their heads level with the ground.
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Both snakes feed on fish, frogs and other prey found around aquatic habitats.:eek:

A large tree here split the other weekend. It made for some great photos. (Sorry they're so big)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8...t/100_0457.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8...t/100_0523.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8...t/100_0531.jpg

Good info. Thanks! Around here it seems that the locals identify snakes into one of two types. If it's on land, it's a rattlesnake. If it's in the water, it's a moccasin. And then out comes the gun, shovel, etc.:headshake I do have a field guide, but I could use one that shows a close up of head from above and to the side, and a clear shot of the tail shape, and a good photo of the typical pattern. It seems that all the F.G.'s have photos taken in their habitats, so whatever was, is, in the pages. Maybe I should write my own guide, eh?

SonofV, closeup. Shhhh... he's still asleep.

God, I love that boy.

Doth the child have alien eyes????

And this... (no flash, didn't want to hurt young eyes. & yes, he moved.)