wild-west Platinum
wild-west
Animated Parrot Snake
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Animated Parrot Snake



This guy was a total blast to shoot but was extremely animated with his mouth wide open almost all the time and always moving. So with a 100mm macro lens, you c...
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This guy was a total blast to shoot but was extremely animated with his mouth wide open almost all the time and always moving. So with a 100mm macro lens, you can only imagine how much I was dialing that barrel for focus! Add to that, I was in a boat! So, the boat was moving, the snake was moving, the air was moving and I was moving...it doesn't get much harder than this!
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cameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II

settings Aperture f/3.5 ISO 640 Shutter 1/640 Focal Length 100/1 

locationEcuador

upload_dateFeb, 2017

Views

8304

Likes

Awards

Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 21
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Animals In The Wild Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 5
Contest Finalist in Reptiles Photo Contest
People's Choice in Slithering Snake Photo Challenge
Honorable Mention in Snakes Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Snakes Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 3
Peer Choice Award
Featured
Winner in Snakes Big and Small Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Wildlife Photo Contest 2017
Winner in Rule of Thirds Photo Challenge
  View more
Peer Award
johnbeinecke NicoleBox79 billdoll lenwareverson JGMorlan richardeaton_9707 KirstiM +1.1k
Absolute Masterpiece
wildpainter debbiechauvinmiller AhsanMaqbool1 jazzreelsnowbraga matthew.eden arthurxgreen kathleendouttward +197
Magnificent Capture
DanaCarruthers osaspirit GerCooper grandpa8 Fame_Bright_Photography JayneBug Pjerry +157
Top Choice
paultomlins davyjonas girlwithatripod EmiDeer JacobV13 corriekovach joanneweikel +137
Superb Composition
Juocke jhalilesmao Ferrybox hopetomlinson paulandrewrussell minorProfits allen +82
Outstanding Creativity
carrieolier James-Evans mattmcfarlane maruvillegas Adr1anA Wishdog luisfarinha +51
Superior Skill
petunia15 FRSam RAPJones Nicklengden MikeHiggins rodbolt marymwarnerthomas +18
All Star
kasper tredyh Nostroboy rhiannyn LucyCMorr SueClarkPhoto Pril +16
Virtuoso
Krinck lauridonovick traceymcdonald nkosakowski DELETED_tinawiley nornots gergelynemeti +3
Genius
terryacregan-leidigh jettahlily008 jaascheffler nellienikolov photoman1974 morganmarinoni Paul_Joslin +2

Emotions

Impressed
freelancejim WilliamGPennington HCheel jaascheffler rushewallace debbiechauvinmiller Martina_Prielozna +28
Happy
toml721 Karls_Ruhe

Top Ranks

Photography Awards 2021Top 10 rank
Discover The Wildlife Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Color Explorer Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol9Top 10 rank
Color Explorer Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
View more
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol9Top 10 rank week 1
Creators Exhibition ProjectTop 10 rank
Creators Exhibition ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
Wild And Untamed Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Wild And Untamed Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Picturing Other Species Photo ContestTop 10 rank
photographyawards2019Top 10 rank
photographyawards2019Top 10 rank week 2
photographyawards2019Top 10 rank week 1
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 6Top 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 6Top 10 rank week 1
Animals In The Wild Photo ContestTop 10 rank
artFix Exhibition ProjectTop 10 rank
artFix Exhibition ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
Animals In The Wild Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Anything Animals Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Anything Animals Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
The Swag ProjectTop 10 rank
The Swag ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
ViewBug Photography Awards 2018Top 10 rank
ViewBug Photography Awards 2018Top 10 rank week 2
ViewBug Photography Awards 2018Top 10 rank week 1
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 6Top 10 rank
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 6Top 10 rank week 1
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 5Top 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 5Top 10 rank week 1
Reptiles Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Reptiles Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
The Nature Lover Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Small Wildlife Photo ContestTop 10 rank
The Nature Lover Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Small Wildlife Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
The Nature Lover Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 rank
World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 rank week 2
World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 rank week 1
Wildlife Photo Contest 2018Top 10 rank
Wildlife Photo Contest 2018Top 10 rank week 1
The Talent AwardsTop 10 rank
Snakes Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Snakes Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Snakes Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
ViewBug Photography AwardsTop 10 rank
ViewBug Photography AwardsTop 10 rank week 1
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 3Top 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 3Top 10 rank week 2
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 3Top 10 rank week 1
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 3Top 10 rank
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 3Top 10 rank week 2
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 3Top 10 rank week 1
Wildlife Photo Contest 2017Top 10 rank
Wildlife Photo Contest 2017Top 10 rank week 1
Curves And Compositions Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Curves And Compositions Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Macro Masterpieces Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Macro Masterpieces Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 20Top 10 rank
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 20Top 10 rank week 2
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 20Top 10 rank week 1
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 2Top 30 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 2Top 20 rank week 1
45 Comments | Report
daleigh Platinum
 
daleigh March 26, 2017
Congratulations on winning my Rule of Thirds Photo Challenge!!
vadr3
 
vadr3 March 26, 2017
Very masterful shot. Congrats!
RosieThorn
 
RosieThorn March 26, 2017
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique.
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Got to work with this snake for about an hour. Very risky once the snake is in his element being on a tree and just below him is water. A lot of options for the snake. You have to work fast!
RosieThorn
 
RosieThorn March 26, 2017
Great shot!
kiwidragonfly Platinum
 
kiwidragonfly March 26, 2017
Crikey! What an amazing capture!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Thank you!
MikeBoyle
 
MikeBoyle March 26, 2017
Congratulations on your winning photo. Nice...Very Nice
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Thank you!
acglock PRO+
 
acglock March 26, 2017
Congratulations on your Challenge win! Well done!!
wild-west Platinum
 
wild-west March 28, 2017
Thank u daleigh and everyone!
JonathanDurandPhoto
 
JonathanDurandPhoto July 04, 2017
Wow!!! Lovely capture!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Thank you!
Alwolfe Platinum
 
Alwolfe September 22, 2017
Great capture!
Niqueki Platinum
 
Niqueki October 06, 2017
Wow!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Thank you!
edandaniphone PRO+
 
edandaniphone October 21, 2017
Supercool. Congrats on the win!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Thank you, thank you!
aidensphoto
 
aidensphoto October 21, 2017
Congrats on winning my Snakes photo challenge. Beautiful capture
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Thank you, thank you!
Hazestead
 
Hazestead October 23, 2017
Fantastic work
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Thank you, thank you!
Witmar
 
Witmar November 05, 2017
fantastic picture
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Thank you!
PGibson
 
PGibson November 05, 2017
Great capture!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
Appreciate that!
KislerCreations
 
KislerCreations November 05, 2017
This image deserves more than just a peer award ... If I could give more than one award I would give it a Magnificent Capture, Superior Skill, & Top Choice. Great Job!!!
vivekkcpatel
vivekkcpatel November 06, 2017
I would give all the awards..!! This is a masterpiece..!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
You're great...thank you!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west November 13, 2017
You're great...thank you!
StevenMHenderson
 
StevenMHenderson November 05, 2017
Amazing Shot!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you!
vivekkcpatel
 
vivekkcpatel November 06, 2017
Masterpiece..!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you very much!
CaptureLifeUK Ultimate
 
CaptureLifeUK November 06, 2017
love this - superb capture. Just fantastic
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Appreciate that!
JBordons
 
JBordons November 06, 2017
A remarkable image. Love the composition and capture. You really nailed the focus on the snake's head! Love the shallow depth-of-field.
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you, thank you! Once in a lifetime shot!
Mark73 Platinum
 
Mark73 November 06, 2017
Congratulations for 'scare the crap out of me' contest. Stunning image. Nicely done.
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Appreciate that!
darrellgillenwater Ultimate
 
darrellgillenwater November 06, 2017
Awesome capture
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you, thank you!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you!!
Eduardbetz Platinum
 
Eduardbetz November 07, 2017
Awesome ! So well deserved !
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you!! Appreciate that!
Eggilegs Platinum
 
Eggilegs November 07, 2017
Fabulous photo Wonderful to capture that moment.
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you! Definitely was incredible timing!
Moraxe11a
 
Moraxe11a November 10, 2017
Fantastic capture!!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you, thank you!
darrendixon
 
darrendixon November 11, 2017
Bravo!!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you!!!!
richardsly Premium
 
richardsly December 01, 2017
little biter.
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you!
CatWezel66
 
CatWezel66 December 20, 2017
Beautiful ????
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you????
nkosakowski
 
nkosakowski February 04, 2018
Little guy clearly loves photo shoots! Great job!
wild-west Platinum
wild-west September 05, 2020
Thank you! Yes, I believe he does!
richardalliers
 
richardalliers February 07, 2018
Amazing shot
Scoutdogs Platinum
 
Scoutdogs February 09, 2018
Congrats! Great shot of a beautiful snake! I love it's color
SchulzeHa
 
SchulzeHa February 11, 2018
Love how in focus the head is, but the body gradually blurs. Unreal shot very skillfully done.
xxBohemianBlondexx
 
xxBohemianBlondexx April 13, 2018
I mean this in the best possible way... that looks terrifying! Awesome picture, LOVE how the body is blurry
timothygaestel
 
timothygaestel July 09, 2018
Amazing photo!
JM18Photography PRO+
 
JM18Photography July 15, 2018
Congratulations!
Julia_137
 
Julia_137 July 27, 2018
Great capture !
timothygaestel
 
timothygaestel August 14, 2018
One of my favorite photos ive seen on here!
sharonmitchell
 
sharonmitchell September 17, 2018
Sorry can’t give you more awards! Just stopped me in my tracks as i scrolled through. Just looove it! Fantastic! what a shot!
lauridonovick PRO
 
lauridonovick November 17, 2018
So cooL . . . !!
LucBaekelandt Platinum
 
LucBaekelandt November 17, 2018
Fantastic shot!!!
DNproSTUDIO
 
DNproSTUDIO June 18, 2019
very nice timming photo shot
Eddieuuu071 Platinum
 
Eddieuuu071 November 08, 2019
Thank you for submitting you wonderful photo to my Best Nature Photo challenge! Best of luck!
TracyDreyer
 
TracyDreyer December 30, 2019
Magnificent capture and this is a winner photo for sure.
wild-west Platinum
wild-west December 30, 2019
Thank you Tracy! Happy Holidays to you and yours!
MeaganHauteclocque
 
MeaganHauteclocque May 01, 2020
Fantastic!

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

#parrotsnake #AmazonRiver #snake #reptile #ecuadorianrainforest #snake #inmotion #fromaboat
See all

Behind The Lens

Location
Just imagine being on a very long semi-skinny powered by a single engine boat and you're motoring down the Amazon river in Ecuador. Your eyes are wide open to see anything and everything. Then all of the sudden your very talented guide spots a snake. This is what actually happened.
Time
Working in Ecuador on the Amazon was an incredible treat and to be perfectly honest I did not miss a sunrise while I was there. Each and every one of those sunrises was so special and the light was so special and same went for sunsets. I did not miss a single one. My snake shot was just after the sun got going in the morning. LOL.
Lighting
My crew and I attempted to use a soft gold flex-fil and we had a ring light with multi-colored filters just in case. The flex-fil was the fastest and nicest light but when we got caught with clouds or rain we went to the ring light. On this morning we were able to get just enough from the flex-fil.
Equipment
The camera I used was a Canon 5D mark 2. The lens of choice was a Tokina 100mm macro 2.8 prime lens. I was hand held in a boat semi-parked at a tree that hung over the river. So you have a moving snake, a moving river in a moving boat and my camera is moving because of it all. Doesn't really get more challenging!
Inspiration
The morning and evening light on the Amazon river in Ecuador is beyond beautiful. Everything I wanted to shoot had to be in this light if at all possible. So you can see in my photo that the sunlight just dances through the leaves in the trees and that's what gives you the tremendous depth of field. The story behind the snake is that my very talented guide had showed me some pictures of snakes and this snake was at the top of my list to try to find. The luck of the Irish we found one.
Editing
I love using Photoshop and Lightroom and for this photo I only had to use very basic tools in Photoshop. Highlights and the black level were the ticket for this photo. Right out of the camera it was spot on. I did very little.
In my camera bag
When I travel internationally I attempt to take as much as I can fit in my bag. Besides my Canon 5D, my lenses of choice are the Tokina 16-28mm Aspherical wide angle 2.8, the Canon 75-300mm 5.6 and the Tokina macro 100mm 2.8. Along with those items I always carry my GoPro Hero 5. Also in my bag is a ring-light, polarizing filters, filters for my ring-light, lens clearing solution and lens paper, media card holders for my cards, media cards themselves and extra batteries for my ring-light. I also have a Zacuto viewfinder for seeing in bright sun.
Feedback
This shot in particular is an extremely advanced shot. You have everything against you. You're in a moving boat. You have to direct the boat driver to go where you want. Maneuvering the boat for a delicate shot like this one is very challenging. Then you have an ever moving snake and usually the smaller snakes move a lot more than the bigger ones depending on what is going on. I was going for details in the snake so I was shooting with a 100mm macro prime lens. If you haven't used a macro lens before, you've got your hands full. You're going to be turning that barrel like crazy. There is no way that auto focus is going to work so definitely turn that off. Pre-set the color temperature, the ISO and the shutter speed. At the very minimum 250 shutter. The F-stop is either buried at 2.8 or as high as a 4.0. A huge part of this whole equation is get a great team to help you. I had the genius guide, a fantastic boat driver and a very good camera assistant. All the best to you!

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