Flora, Fauna, Phenomena, but no Fungi

Tom Kenney · Post by **Tom Kenney** » Tue May 14, 2019 4:27 pm

Just a quick photo dump from recent travels in the West Fork area:

Kingsnake, Gabrielino Trail between Red Box and Switzers

Rattlesnake, Shortcut Road:

Baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), Shortcut Road

Rainbow, Shortcut Road, Monrovia Peak at left

Bear tracks, Shortcut Road

Post by **Sean** » Tue May 14, 2019 4:45 pm

Nice, how long is that kingsnake?

Post by **JeffH** » Tue May 14, 2019 5:07 pm

I'm curious how you got the photo angle on the two snakes without your feet also in the shot.

Tom Kenney · Post by **Tom Kenney** » Tue May 14, 2019 5:47 pm

RE: size, the kingsnake was 50cm (~20in), the rattlesnake 30cm (~12in)

RE: photo angle...very carefully! HAHA!

Actually, the rattler was somewhat sluggish, and didn't react to my presence until I was leaving the scene. I was able to hold my phone directly above and lower it until I had a good frame. The kingsnake had already been 'discovered' by a USFS employee who was scouting for the recent controlled burns. He and I yakked for several minutes, and the snake just hung out patiently. That shot was taken from about 1m distance, but angled steeply so it seems like a direct overhead.

I'm not short (1.9m, 6'3"), and have freakishly long arms, so it's easier to get these kinds of shots.

Post by **tekewin** » Mon May 20, 2019 10:06 am

Beautiful snakes, especially the king snake. I haven't seen one in the wild in many years. Thanks for posting.