Python pics - not for the phobic

[Manta]

I’ve been looking for this for a few days now… a burrow near my house that’s home to a couple of carpet pythons. I had walked past it many times before but never noticed it. I couldn't miss it today as they were out sunning themselves and I was surprised how big they were. Each is over 6ft and they are at least 6 inches across the middle. The hole certainly doesn’t look that big…

The male (I’m assuming because of his more vibrant colours) was pretty skittish and ducked back into the hole after only a few shots. The female, however, was happy to stay around for a while as I took a heap of shots, getting steadily closer to her. When I was within a metre she coiled back and started hissing at me so I let her be. I plan to come back often so they get more used to having me around and if my Jack Russell terrier keeps playing up I may even bring Snugglepot and Cuddlepie a little present....

Comments welcome.

The two outside the burrow (under a tree stump).


Close-up of the sleeping male (at least I think it’s the male…)


The female posing – what a sweetie!


The male after he retreated to the burrow

[ABG]

Lovely shots Simon. I especially like the third shot. Looks like you had some very cooperative subjects to get that close!

[sirhc55]

Well caught Simon - snakes are amazing creatures to photograph

[blacknstormy]

Hip Hip Hooray !!!!! You said you wanted some snake shots, and you come up with these ! congrats Simon - and to have two to chose from, well what can I say.

Well done - beautiful. How close are they to home, not toooo close I hope, because no doubt the neighbours would not take as kindly to these gorgeous snakes as we do.

Congrats again (even Damian said Wow!)
Rel

[Manta]

Thanks Andrew and Chris. As I explained in the first post, they tolerated me to a certain extent but, in the end, they were calling the plays.

Narelle - you will absolutely explode when I tell you. We were no more than a few feet from them the other night. Let's just say, they've got a real feel for dance music and don't have to leave home to hear it...

[xerubus]

that third shot is an absolute cracker! well done!

... but you can keep the snakes to yourself

cheers

[mudder]

Normally snakes and spiders don't worry me too much (in another thread I whinge about leeches again ) , these made me sit back a bit... You can tell male from female , I'm not getting that close !

[Manta]

Ha! I have a healthy respect for them but my fascination usually overrules my trepidation. Most people have their problems when they happen upon them unexpectedly - both parties react instinctively and someone ends up getting hurt.

I tread warily when I'm actively looking for them so no-one gets a fright. Apart from the physical danger, the last thing I want to do is drop expensive camera gear avoiding a strike. I sat a few metres away from these guys for about 30 minutes before I even took my camera out of the bag and I could tell by the way their breathing slowed down that they no longer saw me as a threat.

Dealing with wild reptiles in the field is certainly not for the faint-hearted (and I've certainly got a lot to learn) but patience, observation and common-sense are your friends. It's not hard to get reasonably close - with pythons at least. In fact, I almost had my head down the hole for the 4th shot and if he saw me as a danger I would have been sporting a couple of extra nostrils. Slow movements and a careful eye on the snake's reactions are the key. Bit like watching sharks when you're scuba diving - when their behaviour changes, so does yours.

That being said, I think I'd be using the full range of the 70-300 if it was a red-bellied black or brown snake involved. Those buggers move like lightning.

Glad everyone enjoys the shots.

[the foto fanatic]

I sat a few metres away from these guys for about 30 minutes before I even took my camera out of the bag and I could tell by the way their breathing slowed down that they no longer saw me as a threat.

David Attenborough rules!

Good onya Simon! Not too often we get to see trouser pythons in this forum!

Great pix, especially #3.

[Manta]

..David Attenborough rules!

Good onya Simon! Not too often we get to see trouser pythons in this forum!

Great pix, especially #3.

Thanks Trevor.

[leek]

Great shots Simon... I'm glad we didn't come across those during our little tour of the area in October

[Manta]

[sirhc55]

As I have said before in another thread snakes have atrocious eyesight. They base there reactions on the movement of prey. That is why if you stand stock still you could have Taipans slithering over your boots - no problem at all.

[moggy]

Great shots, glad there are none near me as I've got a feeling I would have lost both of my cats by now! BTW it's the one eyed trouser snakes you really have to be careful of.

Bob.

.

[BBJ]

WOW Simon mate if i had them near my house mate i would be shifting, as i think the only good 1 is a dead 1. Sorry but i have been chased by tiger snakes and it aint fun lucky our blue heelers bailed them up when we was carting hay. Nothing like lifting a bail to find a damn snake under it.
Anyhow good pics though mate and yeh well done.

[big pix]

fantastic capture.......... I am lost for words.........{not a bit fan of snakes}

[Manta]

Thanks all.

You're absolutely right Chris - they track the moving heat signature. I used this to my advantage as the only time she'd stick out her tongue was when I waved my arm or moved closer.

[Killakoala]

Great photos. My hat goes off to you. I like the last two as they are nicely up-close and personal.

At least you should have no rodent problem around the house.

[Glen]

Very impressive Simon, not easy captures when you are watching your subject so closely

[big pix]

The lens I would have used would be 500mm 2x converter..... from the car with the motor running and in gear.........

[Manta]

Thanks Steve - they both looked like they were digesting a feed so there's something keeping them fed. There is an active bat colony in that area so I guess they nab the odd slow one.

Cheers, Glen - I must admit: this is about the only time I shoot with both eyes open! It's often not the ones in front of the lens that are the danger and when I got the 'tongue' shot I was waist deep in long grass butting up to a swamp. My radar was working overtime!

Bernie - I did two trips to these guys on the day with the family in tow for the first one. My car was parked about 50 metres away and, in honour of you, that's exactly where the girls all stayed. It was all too much for my 12 yr old when she saw Daddy's head disappearing down the hole and I'm sure the squeal was heard many blocks away. I left them at home for the next trip!

[Dug]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!

I hate snakes, I used to have an amateur herpetologist as an assistant. I would come to work to find wriggling sacks on my desk or 8ft long carpet pythons in my studio.

I have photographed them, held them, I can be in the same room as them, but they still give me the creeps.

Sorry snake phobic doug

[kinetic]

Eeeeeeee, Manta! Scarey stuff. I know you've been dying to get snake shots for ages (not literally though thank goodness!! ) Glad to see that these critters cooperated for you. PS Dug, your avatar is AAAAAAAARGH!!!!

[Manta]

Dug - sorry to freak you out. You must have some funny (to us) stories to tell!

K - I thought it was only spiders that ruffled your feathers? I'm sure you'd enjoy giving Snugglepot and Cuddlepie a pat sometime....

So I'm not doing them a disservice, I really should go back to verify their sex. Apparently it's really easy: you just have to measure the spurs near their cloaca. I think I may have to get to know them a little better...