I was excited to see and photograph a Northern Cottonmouth on a gravel road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge last week. The snake was very cooperative.
Northern Cottonmouth and a small spider – Canon R7, f8, 1/2000, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Canon 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
By kneeling down on the road, I was able to get a low-angle perspective of the Water Moccasin, also known as the Northern Cottonmouth.
I took quite a few images but wanted to share this photo in particular because of the tiny spider dangling from the snake’s face.
Northern Cottonmouth close up showing a small spider – Canon R7, f8, 1/2000, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Canon 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
In this larger version of the same image, the small spider is more visible. I have no idea what species the spider is, but I loved the great view of the Northern Cottonmouth’s eye.
I want to be clear that I was at a safe distance from the cottonmouth. Long lenses make images like this possible without endangering myself or the snake.
Northern Cottonmouth aka Water Moccasin – Canon R7, f8, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Canon 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
My friend and talented wildlife photographer Steve Creek and I both took photos of this striking, venomous snake before we guided it off the gravel road. We didn’t want someone driving around the refuge to run over the cottonmouth.
It wasn’t that long ago that I took my first lifer photos of this snake species at the same refuge. My thanks go out to Steve for spotting this cottonmouth on the road.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Northern Cottonmouth photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful pics
Incredible shots, love the spider!
They are beautiful things but I give any snake plenty of room.
Wonderful shots Mia! Thanks for sharing – I’ll watch for these Diamond-shaped rings around the snake to quickly identify and warn-away from this beautiful snake. Fascinating to see it’s vertical eye slits in your photos too!
Great shots! Any lifer is exciting!!