Copperhead...a really...

[TwilightImaging]

...large, chubby copperhead...just had to play for a bit...woohoo. Snakes are everywhere down here! Though not deadly at all unless you have a severe reaction...dang they are painful though...be careful messin' with these.
These snakes don't get that huge but they will not move at all, like most snakes...instead they hold their ground and wait for you...buggers!

 

[dems4me]

wow.... I don't know what to say... good picture, but jeeze that was a little too close. Please be careful!!

 

[Beelzebaby666]

This is why my landlord cuts the ditches for me!

:heebiejeebies:

 

[chipper101]

Great shots! Are we seeing the next Steve Irwin???

 

[TwilightImaging]

Great shots! Are we seeing the next Steve Irwin???

nah...I have been hurt enough though...only been tagged once by a copper...err ummm and once by a gator...so...maybe...we'll see what tomorrow brings
I guess being the size they are...man o man they hit fast, not always with fangs out though, they tend to preserve the venom...but it does BURN like crazy I had to wrap it in a bandana...which barely fit...to get it home. I kept waiting for it to get out while driving...

 

[Joe'smom]

Good GRIEF!! What are you teasing it with---it's offspring? You are right--they will stand their ground! Which is one thing that does bother me about a Copperhead---they ain't gonna run!

 

[toppick08]

nah...I have been hurt enough though...only been tagged once by a copper...err ummm and once by a gator...so...maybe...we'll see what tomorrow brings
I guess being the size they are...man o man they hit fast, not always with fangs out though, they tend to preserve the venom...but it does BURN like crazy I had to wrap it in a bandana...which barely fit...to get it home. I kept waiting for it to get out while driving...

Just keep an eye out for cottonmouths and rattlers..........they are very nasty........Nice pics, BTW.

 

[TwilightImaging]

Just keep an eye out for cottonmouths and rattlers..........they are very nasty........Nice pics, BTW.

Thanks Top...you're right...the Cottonmouths are my biggest fear, ran into one last year = scared the be-jeezes out of me. NASTY! Right now...we had so much rain most of the woods are covered in a few inches of water, frogs everywhere. It amazes me to this day how in tune your senses get out there. Yesterday there were a lot of Rat snakes and copperheads, a few rattlers, luckily no cottonmouths.

That's one snake I have yet to catch, too unpredictable for me, and about my size

 

[desertrat]

...large, chubby copperhead...just had to play for a bit...woohoo. Snakes are everywhere down here! Though not deadly at all unless you have a severe reaction...dang they are painful though...be careful messin' with these.
These snakes don't get that huge but they will not move at all, like most snakes...instead they hold their ground and wait for you...buggers!

Nice picture!

Thanks Top...you're right...the Cottonmouths are my biggest fear, ran into one last year = scared the be-jeezes out of me. NASTY! Right now...we had so much rain most of the woods are covered in a few inches of water, frogs everywhere. It amazes me to this day how in tune your senses get out there. Yesterday there were a lot of Rat snakes and copperheads, a few rattlers, luckily no cottonmouths.

That's one snake I have yet to catch, too unpredictable for me, and about my size

Never messed with cottonmouths, but I have spent a bit of time around rattlers. I don't think I would want to divide my attention between holding one in front of anothers face while fooling with my camera though.
Have you run into any sidewinders? Talk about nasty!

 

[RareBreed]

...large, chubby copperhead...just had to play for a bit...woohoo. Snakes are everywhere down here! Though not deadly at all unless you have a severe reaction...dang they are painful though...be careful messin' with these.
These snakes don't get that huge but they will not move at all, like most snakes...instead they hold their ground and wait for you...buggers!

You are crazy!!!

 

[TwilightImaging]

Nice picture!


Never messed with cottonmouths, but I have spent a bit of time around rattlers. I don't think I would want to divide my attention between holding one in front of anothers face while fooling with my camera though.
Have you run into any sidewinders? Talk about nasty!

Luckily, no...no sidewinders or the other little nasties...Pygmy rattlers...way too fast and ultra attitude. I was watching that guy on A Planet last night, can't remember his name, the snake guy. He was in Africa finding the top 10 deadliest snakes, then he shoots pictures of them. He got nailed, I think a cobra? and ended up on his back for a few hours. Brings new meaning to camera shake!

 

[TwilightImaging]

Folding the bandana was the rough part, hehe
Enjoy the day all!!

 

[crf291]

There are only two kinds of snakes i'm scared of. Live ones and Dead ones!

Even the photo's are giving me the chills.......

 

[Pushrod]

Just keep an eye out for cottonmouths and rattlers..........they are very nasty........Nice pics, BTW.

Luckely, Cottonmouths are not indigenous this far North (I think Southern Virginia is its northen most range) and the Timber Rattlers are not this far east (You will find them in the mountains of Western Maryland).
I've pulled several Copperheads out of my yard in Lusby, I usually release them down at the end of the Cul-de-sac. I like them because they keep the moles out of the yard, soon as the snakes are gone the moles are back. I wouldn't remove them, but my wife kind of forces the issue on me.

 

[Pushrod]

Folding the bandana was the rough part, hehe
Enjoy the day all!!

By the way mike, nice photos. What do you do with the snakes?

 

[TwilightImaging]

By the way mike, nice photos. What do you do with the snakes?

Thanks Push'

Most of the rats and Pines, I shoot for awhile then let them slither away before they stress too much...same with the diamond back water snakes. Some of the Coppers I take and either keep for education program I do at the elementary schools or they go to some of the local parks for the same purpose. The only copper I wasted was the one that nailed me and kept coming.

For the most part I shoot them and let 'em go. The copper population is a bit extreme right now and they are quite bold on the running trails and back yards...some are relocated to more remote areas if I can get them before someone smashes their heads in with a rock or something.

 

[Cowgirl]

Cool pictures, Twilight. Are you sure that first one isn't photoshopped? It looks like there's a very thin border around your hand with the small snake.

 

[TwilightImaging]

Cool pictures, Twilight. Are you sure that first one isn't photoshopped? It looks like there's a very thin border around your hand with the small snake.

Yeah, I'm stupid but not karazy...I was trying to get the fangs out, you have to pull the snout back to get them out but couldn't do it and hold the camera at the same time. Dexterity is shot
My left wrist is fused straight and all fingers were shattered and my right has some metal knuckles and won't bend enough to hold a snake, plus...I found out my legs were in fireants at the time...so much for some images huh?

 

[Cowgirl]

Yeah, I'm stupid but not karazy...I was trying to get the fangs out, you have to pull the snout back to get them out but couldn't do it and hold the camera at the same time. Dexterity is shot
My left wrist is fused straight and all fingers were shattered and my right has some metal knuckles and won't bend enough to hold a snake, plus...I found out my legs were in fireants at the time...so much for some images huh?

Wait a minute...now I'm more confused. Were you really that close?

 

[TwilightImaging]

Wait a minute...now I'm more confused. Were you really that close?

LMAO!
Sorry...you have to get that close to get them to strike the lens