Spitting Cobra!

[royden]

I recently had the rare opportunity to shoot an albino spitting cobra! Just 5 minutes from my house. I guy I met with an extensive snake collection. When I heard he had a cobra, I had to see it. Venomoid, but mean as hell. She puffed up like she'd be in front of the camera before. One of the most terrifying animals you could ever run into in the wild. I swear she was looking me in the eyes.

And this slippery lizard, which I was asked to photograph over a couple days. Well over those few days..this guy got out of the cage that he was provided with by his owner. This guy was lose in my house for 3 days before I found him. It nearly got me a swift divorce.

 

[Jonas]

"Venomoid"? Is that the procedure where you remove the venomous glands?
Is that procedure still legal?

 

[royden]

It is apparently in Washington state. It's done by the exotic vets. They have to be checked every several months since the sacs have a tendancy to grow back.

 

[Jonas]

Well your pictures are quite nice eighter way, is it the canon 60mm lens?
I like the salamander, do you know what species it is?



The procedure is nothing i can condone, all forms of mutilation is illegal here I believe, thats something at least I guess.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Wow, you take amazing pictures.

 

[AJA]

Royden !! Loved the comment about the Tiger Salamander and the divorce - ha! ( I am sure you didn't think it was funny)

Why is the cobra called an albino and not a leucistic? Maybe it's the angle but I don't see the red eyes.

So were you holding the Sally by the tail on that last shot? Was that one of Chad's?

Great photos as usual.

 

[hallenhe]

Nice Sally! (And a decent cobra, too, if that's your thing...). What kind of cage could a tiger salamander possibly escape from? (Or do I simply have the laziest Sally there is?) - He'll stand on his hind legs with his front legs pressed against the glass if he thinks there's any chance of food, but has shown no capability to really climb...

 

[Malicious]

Kudos on the photos, and a high five for making it out alive!


btw.. Did you see the new 100mm macro L from canon... pretty hot, and it has IS!

of coarse since it's now available as a true "L" it inheriated the "L" pricing...

check it out.. http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09090102canon100mmmacro.asp

 

[haleybobl]

You can def. keep the snake over there *shudder*.

However the last pic of the salamander is great! I think that one is amazing.

 

[Cainschams]

Awesome photos!!! That cobra is just impressive!!!!! I bet that was a nice adrenaline rush

 

[royden]

It was a great adrenaline rush. When it hisses - it's like a deep guteral rage..like a volcano that's about spit lava in your eyes. I have great respect for these creatures.

I can emphethize with the venamoid debate. I don't know that I have much of an opinion except that I'm glad to get as close as possible to an animal like this.

Gear (as always) is an xti with a 60mm macro and couple of speedlites.

Ha! Aja, I forgot these were once your sally's! He crawled up out of an open box that I was under the impression was too tall for him to get out of. I was incredibly wrong. I'm just glad I found him.



Thanks for looking everyone!

 

[jojackson]

Adrenalin rush? Are you kidding? Thats about like You'd get an adrenalin rush from playing with a tiger with no teeth or claws.

Nice photos though

 

[WelshOneEmma]

Adrenalin rush? Are you kidding? Thats about like You'd get an adrenalin rush from playing with a tiger with no teeth or claws.

Nice photos though

Hmmm, I would still be scared of the Tiger! They might have baby teeth somewhere!