Prairie Rattlesnake
Jan, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in the Snake River Plains north of Kimama, Idaho. At the time I was staying in government housing for my summer job and spent quite a bit of my time photographing Hawks, Owls, and Snakes.Time
I took this picture in May 2013 around 1600, on a warm cloudless afternoon.Lighting
This was mid afternoon so I didn't need flash because I had plenty of natural light from the sunEquipment
I was carrying my Nikon D5000 with a rented Nikon 28-300 VR 3.5-5.6 G lensInspiration
I had seen and photograph my first Rattlesnake the previous year in the same area and discovered I really enjoyed it (from a distance with a telephoto). So on this day I had spent the afternoon exploring the lava photographing other Rattlesnakes. I was walking back to my car when I almost stepped on top of this particular snake because I wasn't expecting any to be out in the hottest part of the day, usually they are in the lava or under Sagebrush. When I heard him I jumped and as I did I saw him strike at me so I kicked my feet apart and landed straddling over the top. I jumped back and after I settled down I knelt down and got the shot.Editing
For post processing I changed the picture control from standard to vivid. Then I lightened the shadows, added a little more saturation, then sharpened the image a small amount.In my camera bag
Camera: Nikon D5200 Lens: Nikon AF-S 18-55VR, Nikon AF-S 55-200VR, AF-S Nikon 55-300VR, Nikon AF-S 18-70 Tripod: Slik Pro with ball head Multiple batteries, lens filters, and memory cardsFeedback
If you are looking to get pictures of Rattlesnakes your best chances of seeing them out in the open is in the morning or the last couple hours before sunset. Otherwise in the heat of the day they will be under ledges, in the lava, or under Sagebrush or other types of bushes/ trees. I use a telephoto that lets me get close but still far enough away where I am out of strike range. Most of the Rattlesnakes I photographed in Idaho just wanted to get away so I usually got my shot and left them alone before they got overly agitated
