Snake in the grass!
Congratulations to this week’s AG Flickr group member Cameron, for this AG Reader Photo of the Week of an adult coastal carpet python, taken in Townsville, Queensland.
“I got this photo late at night near the Australian Institute of Marine Science research centre south of Townsville after my girlfriend and I found the snake crossing the road.
“I often go out at night to observe and photograph wildlife – especially snakes, geckos and nocturnal mammals – and many of the snakes I encounter are crossing roads. Unfortunately I find a shocking number of these hit by cars but when possible I facilitate their crossing by pulling over near them, flicking on the hazard lights and watching them get to safety. Once they’re off the road sometimes I can get a photo or two, as with this large coastal carpet python (Morelia spilota mcdowelli) which was quite cold and moving very steadily.
“I laid in the grass in the path of the snake and used a flash diffuser order to get the soft light. After getting a few photos I got out of its way and we watched it cross under a fence and into the bush and safety,” says Cameron.
“I’ve always had a love of wildlife – reptiles in particular – thanks to my parents, and have been fortunate enough to work at a reptile park giving demonstrations, to relocate snakes and educate the public about snake safety and the value of these beautiful animals, and to study zoology. I’m hoping to study conservation biology further and find a career in protecting Australia’s extraordinarily diverse but increasingly threatened natural treasures.”
This pic appeared in the Australian Geographic Flickr group. Share your own photography and it could be featured on Australian Geographic online!
You can also submit your images to us directly HERE
