Almost bitten,, a BIG HEAD

[Fleas]

http://fleas.smugmug.com/photos/251667411-X2.jpg
Last year I almost walked into this very large Western Diamond Rattlesnake.. The Full picture of this monster is on my business card

[Oldfireguy]

When I was in the Army we were out in the field training down in So. Calif. I was walking down a trail when the guy behind me yelled and killed a big DB. I must have walked right over the top of it and never even heard or saw it. I checked my steps a bit better after that. Hope you were using a telephoto on that shot.

Nice shot.

[Calliope]

:shock: Wow! Excellent DOF and detail! I agree with OFG, I hope you were using a HUGE telephoto lens for this one! Look at that tongue! Awesome capture!

[Fleas]

Thanks OFG and Calliope.. It can be unnerving when you almost step on one of these big boy.. I have been relocating about 30 rattlesnakes a year from peoples yard. Seen this guy photographing a Great Blue Huron colony

[easypickings]

wow..very cool shot.

[Fleas]

Thanks for commenting easypickings :)

[Chiller]

Whoa Fleadude...that is a little close . Holy moly man. I wouldnt get that close to a grass snake.:shock: Great capture tho. :clap:

[Fleas]

Thanks Chilleroo... I almost stepped on that critter.. Got a hearing aid now :)

[Teresa]

I have seen Fleas relocate these guys and then get really close to photograph them....he's a bit crazy!

[MissMia]

Great capture! I've had a few encounters with them in our front yard.

[Dori]

Great capture with the tongue...Growing up in Texas I still walk looking at the ground...

[Fleas]

Thank Teresa, I miss you on the incounters.. Hahahohohehe ;)
Thanks Christina. You should have called me :)

[thunder]

I remember that instance very well...and if I had not been with you...well we will not think that way....great capture! and you were very very close, too close for me....maybe 3 feet away...if that...lol

[Fleas]

Thanks Thunder for being with the old Man ;)

[Andy]

And you didnt run away as fast as your legs would take you, you took photo's :shock:
Really awesome shot, perfect dof and love the comp :clap:

[Fleas]

Thanks Andy.. Despite Thunders warning (and I am Grateful ) I took a step forward to take this picture of very angry Rattlesnake as Thunder retreated at least 25 feet away

[Jewel]

Wow, that's pretty awesome to be able to get a shot like that, very nice. Glad you didn't step on him.

Jewel

[Fleas]

Thanks Jewell.. I probably wouldn't be posting this if I stepped on this ill tempered Rattlesnake.. It was quick to get nervous..

[ChopperLinc]

The detail and subltely of the photo are great. Really dig it.

[Fleas]

Thanks Lincoln, I will remember this photo for a long Time :)

[Legster69]

Oh, I love it, Fleaman ... just awesome! :)

[Fleas]

Thanks Mr Legsterman.. Wished you was here to photograph that big boy...

[JonMikal]

whoa...very cool Fleas. :thumbsup:

[Fleas]

Thanks JONMikal

[Katsnake]

Wowzers! I remember seeing the pic that Thunder took of you and the buzztail, showing just how close you two were, and the other pics you'd taken of this one, but the detail of this headshot including the curl of the tongue is awesome!!!

[Fleas]

Thanks Kat. I am getting a lot of publicty now days. The Prescott paper published this story on me
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=74&SubSectionID=114&ArticleID=56407
and this AM Associated Press published this with out the pictures on a Phoenix news website
http://www.kpho.com/news/16716255/detail.html?rss=pho&psp=news