Snake huddle

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 5, 2018900 views7 comments

I found these snakes huddling under the roots of a tree near a lake while hiking last fall. They are yellow bellied water snakes (non-venomous) and I think they are in mating mode. You can see that one of the snakes is quite a bit bigger. I believe she's the female and she sure has attracted some good looking suitors. All feedback is appreciated Ry

Canon EOS 7D Mark II
LENS	EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
ISO	1250
FOCAL LENGTH	400.0 mm (630.7 mm in 35mm)
APERTURE	f/13
EXPOSURE TIME	0.00625s (1/160)

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on February 6, 2018 at 9:56 AM

Ry: a wonderful and unique photo of a rarely seen behavior. I like how the grouped heads of the males(?) all appear to be looking at you and how the larger snake frames them. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Stephanie Murphy on February 7, 2018 at 2:21 PM

This is just so incredibly cool! Any glimpse of these elusive creatures in the wild is a thrill. On future woodland walks I’ll now pay particular attention to tree roots situated by bodies water. Maybe I’ll be as lucky as you.

Registered on October 18, 2017, 24 Posts, 56 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 7, 2018 at 4:00 PM

These huddles have the "creepy" factor. Regarding techs, I like this exposure better than the first one you posted, but the first had a great multi-snake pose. Perhaps reprocessing the first posting a little darker would be the best of both worlds?

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on February 7, 2018 at 8:04 PM

Yikes, I've never seen anything like this and prefer to only see it in a photo, not in person! Is there a chance this could be a female and offspring? In any case, excellent find and well done.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on February 8, 2018 at 6:22 PM

I love this one! You might darken the tiny sticks in back of them and some of the left FG to isolate them from their surroundings. That would be aesthetically pleasing to my old eyes. But, I know, that they are much better camouflaged like in this photo.
Love their reddish orange eyes frown

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on February 9, 2018 at 11:47 PM

A unique photo. The larger snake body across the top provides a frame for the numerous heads.

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Stephanie Murphy on February 10, 2018 at 11:45 AM

Yes! The idea that these are offspring seems more plausible! Any herpetologists who can weigh in?

Registered on October 18, 2017, 24 Posts, 56 Comments