I was wondering what a pair of Red Wattlebirds were swooping at.


Eastern Brown Snake by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

---------- Post added 21-10-19 at 09:20 PM ----------

The Eastern Brown Snake is potentially deadly, so you need to watch where you walk in Eastern Australia in summer.

[Bertrand3000]

Frightening, and beautiful at the same time. Were you far from this beast?

Snakes and spiders are reasons for me to avoid Australia altogether.

[PJ1]

Taken at the full 450mm, I am sure. Your shot shows it well although, in the interests of better educating our community, you might have turned it over to show the identifying brick red blotches on its belly. I had reason to deal with one around my shed a couple of years back. Realised afterwards that it was a risk I shouldn't have taken as I was on my own and at least an hour from any help. 'Potentially deadly' is an understatement. They are very nervous and aggressive, and just about the world's most deadly snake. Some people have died within half an hour of being bitten.

[RobG]

Frightening, and beautiful at the same time. Were you far from this beast?
Snakes and spiders are reasons for me to avoid Australia altogether.

I was probably about four metres away. Possibly within striking distance, except that the snake was more worried about getting away from the swooping birds than my presence. The snake was about two metres long. Yes, we have the world's deadliest snakes and spiders (and the world's best antivenin), but don't forget the male Platypus also has a venomous spur, there's stinging trees 50 metres high that can kill a horse, and in the oceans there's sea wasps, irukandji jellyfish, sea snakes, cone shells, stone fish, sting rays, oh yeah, and great white sharks.

We also have fantastic scenery, wonderful food, friendly people, beautiful beaches and fabulous forests. Your choice!

---------- Post added 21-10-19 at 09:48 PM ----------

PS It was actually 630mm with the 1.4x TC.

[Bertrand3000]

I was [...] within striking distance

don't forget the male Platypus also has a venomous spur, there's stinging trees 50 metres high that can kill a horse, and in the oceans there's sea wasps, irukandji jellyfish, sea snakes, cone shells, stone fish, sting rays, oh yeah, and great white sharks.

Now, I am truly scared.

It was actually 630mm with the 1.4x TC.

This is not the kind of subject I would try with the DA 10-17 Fisheye

[RobG]

Now, I am truly scared.

And yet 22million ozzies survive.

This is not the kind of subject I would try with the DA 10-17 Fisheye

With a mini tripod and a remote control, perhaps?

[Bertrand3000]

With a mini tripod and a remote control, perhaps?

And a bait, unless "your" snakes consider Pentax gear as treats ;-)

[foxandcrow]

Great shot, glad we don't have them.

[RobG]

And a bait, unless "your" snakes consider Pentax gear as treats ;-)

True - I wonder if pet shops sell mice?

Great shot, glad we don't have them.

Thanks! Snakes don't bother people as long as people don't bother them. Most of the people who are bitten stepped on one accidentally, or tried to kill one that wandered into the wrong place. I've seen Eastern Brown Snakes, Tiger Snakes, Red Bellied Black Snakes, Death Adders, King Brown Snakes, Taipans, and lots of harmless snakes like Green Tree snakes, Marsh Snakes, Carpet Pythons and so on. The only snake that ever seemed to threaten to strike was a Small Eyed Snake which I nearly stepped on, but it was a defensive pose. Just give them a wide berth and let them do their thing, and they won't harm anyone. They help people by eating mice, rats and other vermin.

I've been hoping to photograph an Eastern Brown Snake for a while now, but I was hoping to find one that was asleep. This guy was moving, so the photos weren't as sharp as I'd like.