Arizona photography hazard! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/31/2004 09:10:19 PM · #1

Photography in Arizona can be hazardous to your health...

I got a late start Saturday morning, but decided to go trail hiking at a favorite place by the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona USA.

Off the trail I spotted a nice looking cholla cactus and decided to go over and take some pictures of it. I was into sepias that morning. As I stepped off the trail I looked strait down and guess what should be between both legs and about two inches from one foot sunning himself in at the entrance to a hole?...

Yup, A Western Diamondback rattlesnake, generally considered the most dangerous snake in the US.

After jumping about 10 feet strait up I recovered to start taking pictures. But I have this dilema... In order to get a good closeup shot with my F-717 I have to get REAL, REAL close. Do I risk getting so close that I get bit, or do I wimp out and stay a safe distance? Just call me Mr. Chicken! Cluck, cluck, cluck.

The snake did come all the way out of the hole but did not appreciate one little bit my attemps to make him a still image star. I think he was out on his morning slither. Try as I might, I could never get him to coil into the traditional strike pose, dang it! But he rattled at me constantly.

I did learn one thing. You get them ticked off and a rattler will chase after you. Fortunately, they are slower than a Congressman taking a clear stand on the issues during an election year.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

05/31/2004 09:15:47 PM · #2

Originally posted by stdavidson:

Yup, A Western Diamondback rattlesnake, generally considered the most dangerous snake in the US.

... Fortunately, they are slower than a Congressman taking a clear stand on the issues during an election year.

LOL -- I think the Coral Snake is considered "more dangerous" than the rattlers are. And I think the mambas of Africa are the only snakes known to have attacked humans unprovoked and chase them ...

PhilipDyer

05/31/2004 09:20:43 PM · #3

Wow - great eye color. And also great job of keeping your hands steady after such a scare! I think any shots I would have taken after that would have come out blurry.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/31/2004 09:57:37 PM · #4

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by stdavidson:
Yup, A Western Diamondback rattlesnake, generally considered the most dangerous snake in the US.

... Fortunately, they are slower than a Congressman taking a clear stand on the issues during an election year.

LOL -- I think the Coral Snake is considered "more dangerous" than the rattlers are. And I think the mambas of Africa are the only snakes known to have attacked humans unprovoked and chase them ...

Diamondbacks are responsible for more poisonous snake bits than any other in the US... that is why they are considered the most dangerous.

And I can assure you from my personal experience that a Diamondback will chase after a person. :)

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 21:59:50.

dsidwell

Canon EOS-5D

05/31/2004 10:03:34 PM · #5

When I was growing up, my friend and I would catch the diamondbacks that would come down from the hills due to housing development. We would charge $10 a snake to catch it and then let it go far from any homes. I've never had one chase me, though.

If your little gal in your photo was into her biting mode, she would have coiled up more, or at least her neck would have been good and coiled--and she'd be looking right at the camera; you were probably pretty safe--all things considered! It looks like she wanted to get out of there.

Cool shot and fun story, Steve! When we finally end up hiking, let's hope we stumble onto one of these beauties!

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

05/31/2004 10:07:38 PM · #6

Originally posted by PhilipDyer:

...great job of keeping your hands steady after such a scare! I think any shots I would have taken after that would have come out blurry.

The snake would have been been long gone for me, as I would have had to change my pants before proceeding any further... ;o) LOL

Great picture, BTW.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/31/2004 10:16:54 PM · #7

Originally posted by dsidwell:

How do you know if it is a "she"? Being female maybe that explains why she chased after me. :)

David, I was just talking with Tina (tfaust) and she just got back from Lake Powell up by Antelope Valley this afternoon. Got some good shots. Great photo ops there. I also saw not far from there on the road to Zion there is a place called Escalante that would be a great place to photograph too.

tfaust

Canon EOS 80D

05/31/2004 10:34:34 PM · #8

Originally posted by stdavidson:

How do you know if it is a "she"? Being female maybe that explains why she chased after me. :)

Good one Steve! :-)

Originally posted by stdavidson:

David, I was just talking with Tina (tfaust) and she just got back from Lake Powell up by Antelope Valley this afternoon. Got some good shots. Great photo ops there. I also saw not far from there on the road to Zion there is a place called Escalante that would be a great place to photograph too.

The Escalante Staircase as they call it is a wonderful place to photograph. The area around Paria River is beautiful as is the Coyote Buttes area where you'll find 'the wave'. Plan ahead though, only so many people are allowed into Coyote Buttes per day and this includes day hikers. We didn't plan ahead enough so didn't make it there. If it all works out, Daryl and I might like to join you both for a photography adventure up there. I just love it!!!

I've run across rattlesnakes a few times in my desert adventures, but never had a camera with me. I don't think it would matter though, I would run like my life depended on it. Nice capture Steve and that eye is incredible!

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 22:36:04.

pmichaud

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D

05/31/2004 10:39:07 PM · #9

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
...great job of keeping your hands steady after such a scare! I think any shots I would have taken after that would have come out blurry.

The snake would have been been long gone for me, as I would have had to change my pants before proceeding any further... ;o) LOL

Great picture, BTW.

ROFLOL. Me too. And they DO go after you sometimes. I think they know when you are afraid. At least they know I am afraid. We have both bull snakes and rattle snakes in this area. (It's not true that Bull snakes keep rattle snakes away. In fact I think they are friends). They ALL chase me. The ones in the barn hide and jump out when they see me coming. I truly believe they are laughing at me as I run away screaming - which I usually do. Kudos to you for sticking around and recording your experience. I have finally gotten to the point where I can look at the picture. Take CARE with your hiking!!!

kreybar

Nikon D70

05/31/2004 10:43:02 PM · #10

Next time , try throwing a rock or getting a little closer & stamping your foot . They're just as afraid of you as you are of them . Good thing is you know where he lives now so you can go back .Oh yeah , BTW , Tina is absolutely right ! That whole area up there is God's country , Don't forget Lee's Ferry & vermillion Cliffs.

dcano

Nikon D100

05/31/2004 10:43:54 PM · #11

Considering I had to take care of two snake bite victims this weekend at University Hospital I would suggest you keep your distance. Every year I am consulted on snake bite victims and the bites from diamondback rattlers can be extremely dangerous. Trust me it is not fun to be bitten and definately not worth it.
dc

05/31/2004 10:52:40 PM · #12

Originally posted by tfaust:

Tina... that sounds terrific. I am starting to get excited to go. How many days do you think you need up there? Antelope Valley, Escalante Staircase and Lake Powell? How much hiking is involved? There is so much to see. I definitely would like to photograph "The Wave" I've seen gorgious pictures of it on-line.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/31/2004 11:00:15 PM · #13

Originally posted by dcano:

Not to worry, I am to much a chicken to get cloes enough for them to bite... except by accident. I'd never want to harm one either.

justine

Canon EOS-50D

05/31/2004 11:04:05 PM · #14

Originally posted by kreybar:

I love Vermillion Cliffs, stayed there twice. Beautiful area and the cafe has great food too. Plenty of snake around there.

tfaust

Canon EOS 80D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/31/2004 11:24:53 PM · #15

Originally posted by stdavidson:

For Antelope Canyon it all depends how long you'll be inside taking photos. Generally around 10am is the optimal lighting, but give or take an hour depending on the time of year I'm sure. Plan on about an hour or two for that. Also plan on bringing some cash - it costs about $20 per person to get in. The hike is easy and short.

The Escalante Staircase is basically an 'area'. There are long and short hikes throughout there and you could spend as much or as little time as you want in there... again though, for photography there is usually only a few hours in the morning and evening that is optimal.

I have never been to the wave so I can't tell you anything about it. That is in the Coyote Buttes area where the number of people allowed in per day is limited. Next time we make that trek, it's high on the list, but again, you have to plan ahead to get the permit to be one of those few allowed in.

Lees Ferry is a great place to explore as well. There is just so much up there. When you start to make the plans let me know and Daryl and I can help you out.

ChrisW123

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

05/31/2004 11:34:15 PM · #16

Hmm, I wouldn't think a rattle snake would chase a person but you never know I guess. Maybe "she" was guarding some youngsters in that hole and that had her riled up.

So how close DID you get? :) I think the closet I would get to a full grown rattle snake is probably 6 feet max. I know they can't strike you from that distance, although if you are looking through your view finder and she decides to sprint toward you and THEN bites that might be a problem. LOL.

Great shot! Love the green eyes.

tfaust

Canon EOS 80D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/31/2004 11:39:23 PM · #17

Correct me if I'm wrong - but rattlesnakes can spring up to twice their length. So, if the snake is 3 foot long, it can spring 6 feet... ?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/31/2004 11:44:03 PM · #18

Originally posted by tfaust:

Correct me if I'm wrong - but rattlesnakes can spring up to twice their length. So, if the snake is 3 foot long, it can spring 6 feet... ?

Wrong ... they can probably strike (from a coiled position) more like 1/3-1/2 their length. No snake can "spring" in the usual sense, although they can drop out of a tree on you.

pmichaud

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/31/2004 11:54:21 PM · #19

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by tfaust:
Correct me if I'm wrong - but rattlesnakes can spring up to twice their length. So, if the snake is 3 foot long, it can spring 6 feet... ?

Wrong ... they can probably strike (from a coiled position) more like 1/3-1/2 their length. No snake can "spring" in the usual sense, although they can drop out of a tree on you.

Thanks guys!!! I know I'm going to have nightmares about snakes springing at me and dropping from trees too. That screaming you hear will be me. :( (and they will all have beautiful green eyes!!!)

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 23:55:02.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

05/31/2004 11:56:04 PM · #20

Actually more people die every year from the hands of their spouse then from rattlers in Arizona. What should you be more afraid of?

And... the Mohave Rattler, AKA "the three stepper," is far more dangerous and becoming much more common in Arizona.

pmichaud

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV