Mostly Reptiles and Insects (for critique)

[Natalie]

Thanks everyone! There certainly are a lot of reptiles and amphibians around here, though those shots are from everywhere I've been this year, including the Sierras, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Costa Rica. Joel, there's actually quite a diversity of snakes on Long Island, about 11 different species to be exact. However, since they're all harmless, I won't tell you about all of them and give you fright. There is one species that you should know about and keep an eye out for, since it's rare and nearing extinction on Long Island. It's called an Eastern Hognose Snake (here are some photos of it), and when you find them they usually will usually flatten their necks like a cobra and make mock strikes. If you keep pestering them, they will feign death by rolling over on their backs and letting their tongue hang out. Since these are so rare in your area, if you see one of these you should report it to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and let them know.

 

[Joel_W]

Natalie,

Thanks for the heads up. I plan this coming spring to expand my outdoor nature photography, and start to explore my old freshwater fishing grounds here, but with my camera instead of my fishing rods. I've more then once had a big old Black snake slither across my waders. Needless to say the 1st time it happened, my heart rate went ballistic !! And I'm a major heart attack survivor.

 

[JH100]

The Northern Pacific rattler photograph makes me uneasy because it looks like it feels threatened and ready to strike you. Was getting that shot hard?

 

[Natalie]

Thanks guys.

Joel - Even though I go looking for snakes intentionally, I know the feeling. When you're walking through tall grass and a big racer suddenly explodes into action from practically right underneath your foot, it can make anyone jump.

JH100 - That shot was pretty easy to get. I was with a friend and I actually stepped on that snake... It was a cold, windy, damp morning in the wrong habitat for rattlers, so I wasn't paying attention for them. The snake was fine, so we just moved her into a position to get some good shots. As you can see, she was not very happy about the situation, so we just got a few shots and then let her go on her way.