Copperhead...a really...

[TwilightImaging]

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

This is the one that didnt make it...

...and this is when they figure out your hand is holding the camera...DOH!

 

[TwilightImaging]

If you hold out one hand over them they will focus on your one hand...then shoot with the other until they get smart to it all...

 

[Joe'smom]

Speaking of indiginous snakes....the other day while walking at calvert cliffs--a snake(I thought a black snake) crossed our path and hid near a log under some leaves--my 9 yo son wanted to see if it was a copperhead so he got near the area and started scuffing dirt towards where he had seen it go.
He swears he see's him and he's trying to point him out to me--all of the sudden we heard a rattle! then another ....we both took 4 huge steps back and said "RATTLER!" I saw it's head and took some shots of it. The total length could have been 4 ft? approx. black or very dark brown. The shot I got of the head was not the best but take a look and tell me what you think. I could have coerced him out into the open but I was so taken by that rattle--I just wanted to get the hell away from it! Oh and we were getting close to the swamp areas.

 

[itsbob]

Speaking of indiginous snakes....the other day while walking at calvert cliffs--a snake(I thought a black snake) crossed our path and hid near a log under some leaves--my 9 yo son wanted to see if it was a copperhead so he got near the area and started scuffing dirt towards where he had seen it go.
He swears he see's him and he's trying to point him out to me--all of the sudden we heard a rattle! then another ....we both took 4 huge steps back and said "RATTLER!" I saw it's head and took some shots of it. The total length could have been 4 ft? approx. black or very dark brown. The shot I got of the head was not the best but take a look and tell me what you think. I could have coerced him out into the open but I was so taken by that rattle--I just wanted to get the hell away from it! Oh and we were getting close to the swamp areas.

That doesn't look like a Rattler, it doesn't have the triangle shaped head of a viper.

And the coloring, granted there are a LOT of different rattlers, but I've never seen one with that coloration.

 

[Joe'smom]

That doesn't look like a Rattler, it doesn't have the triangle shaped head of a viper.

And the coloring, granted there are a LOT of different rattlers, but I've never seen one with that coloration.

Thanks "Bob"--thats what I thought too and I didn't think we had rattlers around here anyway but people import and let loose reptiles etc that are not indiginous to places all the time and what better area than a state park--protected wet lands area.:shrug:

 

[TwilightImaging]

Thanks "Bob"--thats what I thought too and I didn't think we had rattlers around here anyway but people import and let loose reptiles etc that are not indiginous to places all the time and what better area than a state park--protected wet lands area.:shrug:

The closest thing to that coloring is the Florida Rattler which you guys do have there...but as stated, heads completely wrong. Note though, Pine and Rat snakes will rattle their tails violently when aggitated (sp)...my first black rat snake I swore was a rattler until I saw the tail...that snake was LOOOOONG and coiled about 2 feet high. Even the coppers do the tail thang, just not much of a tail though, poor guys

 

[desertrat]

Speaking of indiginous snakes....the other day while walking at calvert cliffs--a snake(I thought a black snake) crossed our path and hid near a log under some leaves--my 9 yo son wanted to see if it was a copperhead so he got near the area and started scuffing dirt towards where he had seen it go.
He swears he see's him and he's trying to point him out to me--all of the sudden we heard a rattle! then another ....we both took 4 huge steps back and said "RATTLER!" I saw it's head and took some shots of it. The total length could have been 4 ft? approx. black or very dark brown. The shot I got of the head was not the best but take a look and tell me what you think. I could have coerced him out into the open but I was so taken by that rattle--I just wanted to get the hell away from it! Oh and we were getting close to the swamp areas.

Not a rattler. Still scared ya' though, huh?

The closest thing to that coloring is the Florida Rattler which you guys do have there...but as stated, heads completely wrong. Note though, Pine and Rat snakes will rattle their tails violently when aggitated (sp)...my first black rat snake I swore was a rattler until I saw the tail...that snake was LOOOOONG and coiled about 2 feet high. Even the coppers do the tail thang, just not much of a tail though, poor guys

Yep, a lot of snakes immitate rattlers. Works really well when their tails are in dry leaves.

 

[Pasofever]

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?

Not a good hand for snake catchin.... I am sorry I kill copperheads ...too many animals around ...I dont need extra vet bills..

 

[toppick08]

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.

True, but I dealt with a many of one down in MS....they will charge you, and fall out of trees on you......Like the Canebrake Rattler(timber), will show no fear when you aproach them.........God, I love snakes....

 

[TwilightImaging]

True, but I dealt with a many of one down in MS....they will charge you, and fall out of trees on you......Like the Canebrake Rattler(timber), will show no fear when you aproach them.........God, I love snakes....

You know Top' when I moved here people told me to stay away from the shorelines and overhanging branches while in the kayak...I was like, cha' like what...evaaah!
Day one on the lake WHAM dropped right behind me on the kayak...try turning around in those things, it was crazy...3 times now. Good stuff!

 

[toppick08]

You know Top' when I moved here people told me to stay away from the shorelines and overhanging branches while in the kayak...I was like, cha' like what...evaaah!
Day one on the lake WHAM dropped right behind me on the kayak...try turning around in those things, it was crazy...3 times now. Good stuff!

 

[desertrat]

Speaking of indiginous snakes....the other day while walking at calvert cliffs--a snake(I thought a black snake) crossed our path and hid near a log under some leaves--my 9 yo son wanted to see if it was a copperhead so he got near the area and started scuffing dirt towards where he had seen it go.
He swears he see's him and he's trying to point him out to me--all of the sudden we heard a rattle! then another ....we both took 4 huge steps back and said "RATTLER!" I saw it's head and took some shots of it. The total length could have been 4 ft? approx. black or very dark brown. The shot I got of the head was not the best but take a look and tell me what you think. I could have coerced him out into the open but I was so taken by that rattle--I just wanted to get the hell away from it! Oh and we were getting close to the swamp areas.

Looks like a black racer to me. There are copperheads there though. One I saw there was sunning right in the path to the beach on the hidden side of a small log. I'm used to stepping way over logs or up and top and then jumping anyway so avoided ruining his nap and my hike. The rattling makes me wonder what came first, the rattles or the tail shaking? Here's a pic of a black racer, Black snakes are fat and a dull black. Racers are shiny and slim. Next time take a field book on snakes. I like that picture by the way.

 

[TwilightImaging]

D'Rat...I'd say you nailed this one...looks dead on to me!