michali Posted December 10, 2008 Share #1 Posted December 10, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) M8 & 90mm Elmarit This is a nasty fellow, very highly strung and and extremely aggressive when cornered. If confronted at close quarters this snake will rear up to as much as two-thirds of its length, spread its hood and spit in defense, usually from a reared-up position. It spits its venom up to a distance of 2-3 metres (5½ - 8¼ feet), with great accuracy, which can cause blindness. The average length of adults is between 900mm - 1,050mm (2½-3 feet). Along with the Black Mamba it is one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa. I found this guy hanging around my lodge. We caught him and put him into a pillow case and took him far away into the bush where he wont bother us. We released him into a Fever tree. I took these pictures with sunglasses on, which by the end of my little photo session with him, were covered in venom! Thanks for viewing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 10, 2008 Posted December 10, 2008 Hi michali, Take a look here Cobra Overhead. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Hodc Posted December 10, 2008 Share #2 Posted December 10, 2008 Mike, Great pictures. Even in Holland i look to the ground for an instance. I only see carpet and my daughter. No dangerous wildlife here. Harry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted December 10, 2008 Share #3 Posted December 10, 2008 Mike, I guess you get used to handling them, but still ... Lovely pictures, like #3 best. What a majestic animal! Haughty look, he has! Marco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted December 10, 2008 Share #4 Posted December 10, 2008 Mike - Exquisite and rare photos of this beauty. Terrific composition, detail and color. #2 is my favorite for the angle of the snake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdb Posted December 10, 2008 Share #5 Posted December 10, 2008 Gorgeous portraits. #2 is my favorite as well. Thanks for the narrative as well. One of the only good things about living in Indiana is that I don't have to watch where I step! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 10, 2008 Share #6 Posted December 10, 2008 Simply great, Mike:) Btw, I discussed your idea about a meet with SWMBO, and she was mildly interested... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert Posted December 10, 2008 Share #7 Posted December 10, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) MIKE, Wow, extraordinary. What is the name of the tree? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
louloumum Posted December 10, 2008 Share #8 Posted December 10, 2008 Mike, being a snake-o-fobic myself these shot could NEVER have been mine. What a courageous man you are, keeping a very steady hand in these circumstances ! Great captures ! All the best __________________ Marie-Louise Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted December 10, 2008 Harry, Marco, Stuart, Virgil, Marie-Louise- Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated. Jaap- Thank you. I will send you a PM re a possible meet and how we can put it together. Al- thank you. The tree is called a Fever tree or Acacia Xanthophloea My next post is of a whole lot of Fever trees. Thanks and regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted December 10, 2008 Share #10 Posted December 10, 2008 MIKE, All three images are good but my preferred one is the 2nd. Lovely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin T-M Posted December 10, 2008 Share #11 Posted December 10, 2008 Mike, terrific! Really terrific!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicanut2 Posted December 10, 2008 Share #12 Posted December 10, 2008 Nice color on the snake, I think I would need a bigger zoom lens , Ha. Very Nice. Cheers Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted December 11, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted December 11, 2008 Ivan, Martin & Jan- Thank you very much, always appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bscott Posted December 11, 2008 Share #14 Posted December 11, 2008 Great shots, does the venom damage the camera or lens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 11, 2008 Share #15 Posted December 11, 2008 Looking again, I think # 2 is a suitable candidate for competitions, or at least Getaway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted December 11, 2008 Share #16 Posted December 11, 2008 Mike, you love danger in the wild, it's plain to see. All are great, but #3 really gives me the shivers. I was once aboard a small wooden sailboat in a fresh water lake and was attempting to relieve myself in the head when a very large black boa appeared from under the floorboards. At that point I became what some friends would call a real "White man". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted December 11, 2008 Author Share #17 Posted December 11, 2008 Great shots, does the venom damage the camera or lens? Thank you. No it doesn't cause any damage, I used surgical spirits/alcohol to remove it off the camera, lens and sunglasses. The venom does however cause skin irritation if it comes into contact with one's skin. QUOTE: "Looking again, I think # 2 is a suitable candidate for competitions, or at least Getaway." Jaap- Thank you. The light was very flat, overcast day, as you can see and in pics #2 & #3 there was plenty of backlight. QUOTE: "Mike, you love danger in the wild, it's plain to see. All are great, but #3 really gives me the shivers. I was once aboard a small wooden sailboat in a fresh water lake and was attempting to relieve myself in the head when a very large black boa appeared from under the floorboards. At that point I became what some friends would call a real "White man"." Ben- believe it or not I'm not an adrenalin junkie, but somehow seem to get myself caught up in situations from time to time, I guess it's the way life is in the bush. I would have jumped overboard with a boa staring up at me! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
psquared Posted December 11, 2008 Share #18 Posted December 11, 2008 You ARE a brave man, Mike. Great pictures. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share #19 Posted December 12, 2008 Thank you Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsw Posted December 13, 2008 Share #20 Posted December 13, 2008 Outstanding photography and courage Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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