Florida Cottonmouth, a photo from Florida, South

Photographer's Note

Taking a walk around the neighborhood with my son, we went by the drainage pond which was dug at the end of our development, beside the cypress swamp. We came across the famous poisonous Florida Cottonmouth in it's own habitat: out basking near the water at sunset. Since our state has allowed for so much rapid growth and development, much of the land used for new homes and businesses is reclaimed from old cattle fields or orange groves (which don't make nearly as much money for their owners as selling the land for a new subdivision). We have also had small alligators living in this same drainage pond.

Florida Cottonmouths, or Water Moccasins, grow to a average length of 36 inches. The one here is about 15 inches long. Cottonmouths are so named because of the aggresive stance they take when threatened: rather than flee, they stand their ground and gape open their very white colored mouths, as you see this one doing to my son and I.

I thought this was the non-venomous Brown Water Snake, until he flashed open his white mouth at us. Cottonmouths are aggresive, and more poisonous than most other poisonous snakes in Florida, except the Rattler. And we moved in to their habitat.

Sorry about the technical problems - any comments or critiques are welcome, of course. And before you say it, next time, I will probably not stop so long! ;o)

Japie, Genna7, danbachmann, LCannon ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

snuggleaphagus (4146) 2004-07-24 20:38

Good Job Michelle! The pose is wonderful and it looks like the snake was instructed to say AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH. I am glad that he did not decide to be aggressive towards you and small son. The colors appear a little too mellow but it's a great shot.

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Japie (72) 2004-07-25 9:32

Next time use an 800mm lens and crop to make it bigger. Colours are not great but I like the pose - Japie

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richtersl (3546) 2004-07-25 9:40

YEOW!!!! You're brave! This is a wonderful shot under the circumstances and your photo shows just how well these guys blend into their surroundings.

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maphoto (8082) 2004-07-25 21:55

Nice capture Michelle, I like the idea of Japie though with a closer view would be more impressive, great note as usual and a good composition over all, thanks for sharing.

Genna7 (417) 2004-07-31 1:11

Good photograph! You surely very daring person - it's a pity that maximum 2 - I would give all 10

danbachmann (1746) 2004-08-02 12:57

This is a brave shot! You are a quick thinker! I like the sound of having a little backyard adventure. I wish I could see more detail of his head and mouth, but then the photographer might not have survived to make it back to upload the image!

There is a sad side to this... the humans have taken all the animals space. Where I'm from we have displaced deer with nothing to eat and not much space for them to live due to the massive increase of housing.

At least it increases your odds of getting some more Florida wildlife in your lens. Alligator next?

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bebel (7588) 2005-01-01 8:24

interesting situation and desccription of wild life in USA, we do not know that in France, except little snakes as vipères. (dangerous also)
Good shot, perhpas too far from the snake but it is understanding !! good pict for TE. I like your choice.
Happy new year

j_wyatt (685) 2005-02-02 16:18

Wow, I can't believe you were so close to one of these snakes! My husband is from Missiouri and they have cottonmouths there too. His mother was attacked by them when she was a girl swimming in a river. They are very agressive snakes for sure and I'm happy you and your son survived the encounter!

WorldGuru (176) 2005-11-16 11:37

Hi Michelle,
I have seen Water Moccasins color vary from this tan/brown color, to a reddish tint, to a dark black. I guess they are kind of like toads with their ability to adapt their color to their surroundings. Check out this camouflaged Toad my daughter captured a pic of at her grandparents house.
Water Moccasins are the only poisionous snakes in North America that I know to be aggressive. Especially a mama in spring with young, they are known to chase people. For the most part though, if we leave them alone, they leave us alone. Water snakes, poisonious or not generally have a meaner disposition than most snakes.
Good capture!
Thanks,
Dave

CVTJan (1244) 2006-04-04 11:34

Dear Michelle, YIKES !!! We have a trip to Florida scheduled in June. Maybe we should cancel.... Together with the note this is very TE! TFS. I looked through your portfolio and still enjoy that you show life how it is without having only high glamour wonderful magazine shots. Now also from Canada. See you later. Yours, Jan