ARIZONA AUG / SEPT 2017

Sidewinder Rattlesnake in the first burst of morning sun in the Tucson desert
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/5,6, 1/320, ISO 500

Once again I`ve been back to Southern Arizona to look for rattlesnakes, ... this time with photographers, biologists and friends Thor Håkonsen & Are Hogner. 2 weeks of hard work with the average of 4,5 hours of sleep each night (!) brought us 9 different species of rattlers of whom 3 were new for me :

Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus)
Blacktailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molasses)
Mohave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)
Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus vitidis)
 Ridgenose Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)
Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus klauberi)
Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes)
Twinspotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei)
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

A snake is principally a straight line with a frozen face in one end, and I find shooting good, different and varied shots of snakes difficult !! Even though many people dislike snakes .... I still hope that you can enjoy my shots.

A warm thank you to Thor Håkonsen & Are Hogner for inspiration & great company. Without Thor`s planning, contacts, knowledge and sharp eye for snakes ... I would not have seen many species. 

The nocturnal Sidewinder Rattlesnake in ambush position in the desert sand.
Nikon 5, Nikkor 105 2,8 micro, f/4,0, 1/250, ISO, 400, headlamp light.

Sidewinder Rattlesnake

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/7,1, 1/800, ISO 1600

Ridgenose Rattlesnake : I always said that the Blacktailed Rattlesnake was the most beautiful of all rattlers, ... but that was before I saw my first Ridgenose !!

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/8,0, 1/500, ISI 1800

Ridgenose Rattlesnake
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/7,1, 1/320, ISO 2000

The Rock Rattlesnake is small, rear ..... and hard to find
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/500, ISO 2500

Arizona Black Rattlesnake : I always said that the Blacktailed Rattlesnake was the most beautiful of all rattlers, then I saw my first Ridgenose and had to change my mind, but when I saw my first Arizona Black Rattlesnake .... I was completely knocked out !!
Nikon D5, Nikkor 105 2,8 micro, f/6,3, 1/1000, ISO 2500

Arizona Black Rattlesnake
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/800, ISO 2800

Western Banded Gecko
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8, macro, f/7,1, 1/1000, ISO 1600

The venomous Gila Monster !! Not an everyday find !!
Nikon D5, Nikkor 14-24/24 2,8, f/5,6, 1/200, ISO 6400

Gila Monster
Nikon D5, Nikkor 105 2,8 micro, F/5,6, 1/250, ISO 2000  

 This is the biggest Blacktailed Rattlesnake I ever saw ! ... and lifted !
Smartphone photo

Regal horned lizard
Nikon D5, Nikkor 105 2,8 micro, f/36, 1/200, ISO 5000

Mohave Rattlesnake
D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/5,6, 1/1000, ISO 4000

Mohave Rattlesnake
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/5,6, 1/1000, ISO 2000

Mohave Rattlesnake
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/5,6, 1/1000, ISO 4500

The Mohave Rattlesnake is probably the most dangerous of all American rattlers. It combines long fangs and big venom yields with a very potent neurotoxic venom, and in the southeastern corner of Arizona they are more toxic than any other place in the US.
The pictured snake is dead (roadkill)

The Western Diamond Rattlesnake is a big and dangerous snake that can grow up to 1,7 m !!. 
I always wanted to find a big, angry diamondback to play with, .... and finally I found a worthy candidate. This solid giant challenged us with a very aggressive attitude ... 
and I had a good time with my camera !!
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/800, ISO 500 

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/800, ISO 400

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/800, ISO 560

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/800, ISO 640  

A peaceful finish : Western Lyresnake
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/11,0, 1/400, ISO 2500

Sunset over the Seguaro desert
Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/9,0, 17250, ISO 400

Snakey mountains with scrub vegetation
iPhone