Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Big Gulp (YB Racer)
‹ PreviousMacro & Close-up GalleryNext ›

Big Gulp (YB Racer)

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted July 30, 2012249 views10 comments
This Yellowbelly Racer first ran up towards our pond at blazing speed, from the marshy area below. It stopped at ponds edge, in a coiled & upright stance.
Finally, it wound its way up through the rocks that make up our fountain. It cornered this large one, and the frog squealed for at least five minutes or so as it tried to escape. All out of sight inside these rocks, but dramatic none-the-less.
This shot is at the point where the snake's backing out of the rocks, with frog in tow..
F/14, 1/1000th, ISO 320, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + Kenko 2x ext and hard light at noon sharp, no flash.

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on July 30, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Our sermon yesterday was about Adam and Eve and the serpent. I pull for the frog here :wavey:
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on July 30, 2012 at 6:27 PM
Neat shot! Both images are great! It's hard to get a picture of a racer!
Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 30, 2012 at 6:49 PM
Wow, what an experience! Great job of catching the action with the important parts sharp. The snake shot is good as well, with that alert pose. Hey, the background is the real deal and when you're shooting action, there's no time to worry about the background. I've noticed the "mid-day pause" in the local dragonfly and butterfly populations when our temps hit the mid-90s.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Wick Smith on July 30, 2012 at 6:51 PM
Great action shot. You did well!
Registered on June 12, 2009, 91 Posts, 379 Comments
Comment posted by Tonia Graves on July 30, 2012 at 8:57 PM
Pretty intense drama playing out in your yard, and you did a fine job of capturing it! I think you handled the harsh lighting well and I'm glad that the racer's eye and the frog's eyes are all visible in the first image. I really like the alert pose in the second image also. Nice job capturing the action here!
Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on July 30, 2012 at 9:52 PM
I love the drama of this image. Everything is so well rendered, especially the great capture of the snake's head and eye. While you said the snake was backing when you took this with frog in tow, it looks like you caught the precise moment of the strike and capture. Fantastic. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on July 31, 2012 at 10:03 AM
I really like the fact you never shy away from the harsher, less elegant sides of nature. Great action and drama in this shot, nicely captured. My hat's off to you
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments
Comment posted by Roger Leekam on July 31, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Amazing action, Howard. Nature story at its purest. You're lucky to have the pond nearby & excellent for all us viewers that you have the skill to capture it.
Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Ramy on July 31, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Howard,
Do You Ever Take a Day Off ?
Another Text Book Example of great photography . . . :toast:
Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Jones on August 1, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Fantastic action, Howard! Both shots are excellent.
This angle caught the life-and-death struggle perfectly.
Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments