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Wm. Bates | all galleries >> A New Beginning...Picture A Day >> Click Here for July's Images > Wanda and the Serpent 07_05_05.jpg
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05-JUL-2005

Wanda and the Serpent 07_05_05.jpg

Wanda has a very soft heart. While we were driving up a near-by canyon to go for our evening hike we saw this Great Basin Rattlesnake in the middle of what can be a busy road. We stopped so she could move him out of the dangerous roadway.

I was glad to have the chance to get some good pictures of a beautiful creature. Oh, and can I say, when you're laying on your belly in the dirt, looking through a 300mm lens and a rattler strikes out...even if you're 10 or 12 feet away, you jump.

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
1/125s f/5.6 at 120.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Gus Rosenfeld12-Jul-2005 11:13
Good stuff! For what it's worth, they need to coil to strike (they can bite without coiling though) and their strike distance is maxed out at half the length of the snake. That's right; a three footer will have a strike distance of one and a half feet. Strike speed is between 5 and 6 miles per hour; 5 1/2 mph is an accepted average. For those surprised by this (I was when I learned), think what would happen to even a snakes head hitting bone at let's say 40 mph. When I was a kid I made wallets, belts and hat bands out of them, and sometimes a dull meal. These days I bring the mountain bike to a stop and take them off the trail to make sure they don't get injured. They are quite territorial, so if one is close to your house and loved ones, make sure and displace to the wild way far away, And, make sure it didn't steal your GPS ;-) Great pictures as usual - beauty and the beast, well shot.g

Guest 08-Jul-2005 14:43
I'm very impressed with Wanda here. Most girls are afraid of snakes.
She looks very confident as she deals with an element of danger here.

James Ferrall
Jim McKinlock07-Jul-2005 00:35
Wanda, a week or so ago I sent you a PM and mentioned that with your love of animals I wouldn't be surprised to see you pick up a rattlesnake and give it a kiss, I was just kidding. So did Bill get a shot of that?
Lee Rudd06-Jul-2005 22:00
uhoh! I'm sure I'd be much more squeemish and jumpy, no matter what end of the camera I was on
Frank 06-Jul-2005 16:38
Geese Wanda! Didn't you all learn from the very first serpent encounter and that fateful fruit? (chuckle) I did, I stay far away from the wily creature!! (even though the fruit still gets my bite)
Robin Reid06-Jul-2005 14:05
Way to go Wanda! And Bill you caught the action very well. Striking ;-) photo.
Herb 06-Jul-2005 13:41
Impressive
Guest 06-Jul-2005 13:04
Good God!
Wesley Aston06-Jul-2005 12:40
At least you didn't step on him!
Guest 06-Jul-2005 07:29
I am very proud of you Wanda, and it's nice to see that stick having multiple purposes. Big snake, nice shot. Jeff
Guest 06-Jul-2005 07:09
Lots of tension in this image...very nice!
Guest 06-Jul-2005 06:17
impressive picture !!!
stevephoto06-Jul-2005 05:43
Wanda, you funny, crazy kid. I hope you had your snake bite kit with you. I always carry one now after my close encounter.http://www.pbase.com/stevephoto/image/44235766 Oh, nice shot Bill.
Wm. Bates06-Jul-2005 05:33
Not to worry, I am blonde, but I am not stupid! My stick was long enough to keep plenty of distance between Me and the snake. I was perfectly safe the entire time. (happy smile)

Wanda wahbates@compuserve.com
Stuart Peterson06-Jul-2005 05:30
Sorry about the multiple comments...
One of these days, Wanda's soft heart might get her hurt. Wanda, take care!!!
Stuart Peterson06-Jul-2005 05:27
William, you're absolutely right - Wanda *IS* a beautiful creature. It's an awesome snake, too!
Guest 06-Jul-2005 05:17
Oh my God -- it's Steve Irwin's sister Wanda! ;-) Sorry but you won't catch me moving any rattlesnakes to safety. MY safety is my priority :-)