Spotted Bush Snake
Aug, 2015Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at Berg en Dal rest camp in Kruger National Park. We spotted the Spotted Bush Snake and mistakenly identified it as a juvenile Boomslang at first. These two species have similar appearances, however this fellow has yellow eyes whereas a Boomslang has much larger, dark green eyes and they are highly venomous. As a former Field Guide in Kruger National Park, I always advise people to rather be safe and leave all snakes alone. People often misidentify non-venomous for venomous snakes and it could potentially be a fatal decision to invade its space. I believe all that is natural should be left alone, including non-venomous snakes.Time
This was taken on a very hot day around noon. During this time most animals hide out in the shade or in burrows to escape the excruciating heat of the day, and so did my brother and I at Berg-en-Dal rest camp. During lunch, movement caught my eye and we immediately abandoned our food to take advantage of the sighting with our cameras. I remember thinking that this snake probably competed and won a beauty pageant in its previous life because it knew exactly how to pose for the camera.Lighting
I love all things natural and unpredictable, which includes the sun as a light source.Equipment
This photograph was taken with my old Canon 400D and a 300mm Canon lens to achieve minimum depth of field (blurred background).Inspiration
Opportunities cross our paths often and I'm one of those people that will grab at as many of them as possible. This was a completely spontaneous moment in time where I took the opportunity to photograph the snake's sudden vigilant appearance and disappearance. Wildlife Photography is an art entirely on it's own and it takes a particular skill to be able to capture unpredictable moments of life.Editing
My objective is to keep my photographs as natural as possible and appreciate it in all its glory. We know that a camera can hardly achieve a replica of what a human eye is able to observe, and in this respect I only add contrast for depth, remove dust marks and sharpen for an overall realistic feel.In my camera bag
My bag holds my new Canon 650D along with a standard Canon 18-55mm, a mid-range Canon 55-250mm, a long-range 3in1 Sigma 70-300mm Macro (+lens hood) and my fixed Canon 50m lens, all my lenses have UV filters on for protection and minimum flare, a small Gorilla Tripod, lens cleaner, Tracks and Tracking book, sanitary tissues, waterless cleanser, small First Aid kit, sunblock + hat, snacks, lighter, knife and water. (I'm always prepared for those unpredictable situations)Feedback
Snakes usually move fast to avoid confrontation and in order to take a photograph you will need to give it the space it needs to be comfortable with your presence. Also be aware that snakes can be deadly and rather remain a safe distance to avoid a painful encounter. This is why I used a 300mm lens to keep a safe distance, not only to respect the snake's space but also for my own safety. The Spotted Bush Snake is not venomous but as I mentioned before, it is easy to make a mistake. Even though there are very few snake bite fatalities, it's always the best decision to be on the safe side. On a technical note I advise to use a fast shutter speed and wide aperture. This will freeze the movement of the constantly moving snake and create a blurred background for the subject to become the main focus point and illuminate distractions. When I photograph animals I switch to auto-focus, which increases the chance of the animal being in focus most of the time. Wildlife Photography is tricky and as I've said to many others, it takes time and patience to capture that perfect shot. We only master something by learning and practicing persistently until we reach the desired outcome. When you reach a comfortable place with your equipment and an understanding of your environment, it becomes easier. Don't give up!
