this is why it's called a Cottonmouth Moccasin
Jul 25, 2019 01:07:11 #
A friend and I were four wheeling just south of the Okefenokee Swamp and stopped on an old bridge that was about 10 feet over a dry creek bed. We got out to look around and there below was this little fellow. I must admit that I enticed him to open his mouth by dropping a stick next to him. Before anyone says anything about the out of focus leaves in the foreground, I know it's a photographic cardinal sin. I've done many stupid things when trying to get a good shot, but there was no way in hell I was going down there to move the leaves out of the way! Although with a better camera and the leaves out of the way, I think it would have made a dandy photo.
Please click download for a better look and thanks for viewing.
Please click download for a better look and thanks for viewing.
Jul 25, 2019 02:03:02 #
The photo is great. I wouldn't have move the leaves either. Brings back scary memories of my childhood in north Texas. I remember swimming in the local flood control lakes and having a moccasin swim by within a few feet. I use to catch them on my fishing lines.
Jul 25, 2019 02:58:34 #
foggypreacher
Loc: Dickinson, Texas
In the 1970s a friend and I would take our .22s and go to the rice canals south of Houston, TX to shoot the cotton mouths to clear the way to let his young kids fish when the water was down. The fish would get caught in pools when the water had been drained, which made it easy for little ones to fish. The Moccasins liked the idea of the fish caught in the pools as well.
We made short work of them so the kids could fish. We did have to be on the lookout because others would come along to the funeral.
We made short work of them so the kids could fish. We did have to be on the lookout because others would come along to the funeral.
Jul 25, 2019 05:38:09 #
Jul 25, 2019 05:45:39 #
Nahh, Its a good photo. I wont move those leave either. I'd move the snake... LOL
Just kidding. Always keep safe.
Just kidding. Always keep safe.
Jul 25, 2019 06:08:04 #
Jul 25, 2019 06:09:59 #
Dixie Native wrote:
A friend and I were four wheeling just south of th... (show quote)
Ken, a fantastic photo and anyone who complains about focus is missing the subject for sure.
Greg
Jul 25, 2019 06:15:35 #
Wow, leaves be damned with that critter right there!! I think it’s a unique shot. Thanks for sharing.
Jul 25, 2019 06:47:36 #
Dixie Native wrote:
A friend and I were four wheeling just south of th... (show quote)
Fantastic image!!!!! Great shot, leaves be damned.
I read somewhere "Discretion is the better part of valor"
Jul 25, 2019 07:15:41 #
Jul 25, 2019 08:41:24 #
Nice shot, and there’s nothing wrong with those leaves: they make the shot look real.
Jul 25, 2019 08:42:00 #
jaymatt wrote:
Nice shot, and there’s nothing wrong with those leaves: they make the shot look real.
Jul 25, 2019 08:50:45 #
That mouth is nothing to mess with, for sure. Better a decent safe shot!
Jul 25, 2019 08:56:52 #
Jul 25, 2019 09:00:31 #
Dixie Native wrote:
A friend and I were four wheeling just south of th... (show quote)
Ken,
This is absolutely the best illustration I’ve ever seen of the classic “cottonmouth” display of this species.
As with many toxic or venomous species, each usually has a startling behavioral display of some sort to convince other species to back off and leave it alone...avoid the fight whenever possible. They seem to know that the strike that misses or falls short puts them at risk while recoiling to strike again. Better not to have to strike in the first place!
The rattler rattles it’s tail...and many species of non-venomous snakes vibrate their tail in mimicry of a rattlesnake.
The pine snake/bull snake combines a rattling tail with coiling and raising the head with mouth open and loudly hissing by forceful exhaling against a stiff piece of cartilage at the orifice of their trachea in the floor of the mouth...really loud and startling!
Dave
Teriffic image!
Dave
,
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