We are fortunate to have a nice population of Red Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila) in several western Kentucky counties. In our region it is possible to cruise roads and find these snakes from the time when it gets dark to the very wee hours of the morning prior to dawn. While we try to cruise under conditions that we believe are prime, often even then it is possible to not find any of these snakes…even when other snakes are being found.

The random offerings turned up by road cruising is something that's problematic and usually we prefer to have a little more control over the hunt when possible. So we also deploy artificial cover to help in locating these snakes. We have found that these snakes are attracted to layered sheets of metal, so if you are having trouble finding them, try stacking your metal up. Red Milks in our area live in forested habitat, but like all reptiles they utilize open areas where the rays of the sun reach the surface. We have found layered metal set out where the canopy is open works very well. It is a sight to behold when you peel back a sheet of metal and see such a beautiful high-contrast snake sitting on dull colored metal of the earth tones of the soil underneath. Locating a Red Milk Snake in Kentucky makes any good day better and turns even the worst of days into a nice day for guys like myself.

This week I want to share my formula for taking semi close-up pictures of snakes. I like to use these kind of pictures to make business cards, post cards, calendars, and other promotional materials. When trying to sell a snake the buyers want to see as much of the body as possible, so these are not the best option when trying to sell individual specimens, but semi close ups are effective in promoting projects in general. When I take these kind of photos I want for the entire head to be in the picture. I also want the entire frame filled by the body of the animal with as little, “non-snake” materials as possible, especially around the edges of the frame. It is also important to capture as many interesting features of the specimen as possible. You want for everything to be in crisp focus if possible. I took several semi close-up pictures and posted them on social media recently. The picture in this blog got more views, likes, and comments than all the others combined so I would like to try to explain why. At the end of the day the subject needs to grab peoples attention, and this snake certainly does.

Many people in our hobby are sick and tired of seeing Ball Pythons, but even they liked and commented on this picture. The entire head is in the photo and it is in crisp focus, especially the eye. The frame is filled with the body of the snake, with only a little bit of mulch barely visible in perhaps 5% or less of the total field. The Paradox condition of this snake is what makes it interesting, and the semi close-up format really shows off the layering of the pigments. I was able to get some of the additional Paradox markings in the picture with the coils above the head. This snake is also a Super Genetic Banded morph, and I was able to get some of the classic pattern associated with this gene in the coil below the head. I plan to use this photo in my new business cards, on my website banner, and in a new updated kingsnake.com banner ad. I do not mean to come across like some kind of professional photographer, because I am not. In fact, when I look at this picture I see all kinds of things I wish I could have done better. I am just a regular guy trying to do my best and improve my picture taking. I hope that some of what I have shared here will give you ideas on how to improve your pictures as well.

This Smooth Earth Snake, Virginia valeriae, is a repeat offender. For the last several years it has been busted utilizing artificial cover! Most often found hiding beneath logs, leaf litter, or other debris Smooth Earth Snakes are fossorial (live underground) and give live birth to as many as 12-14 live young in the late summer.

A scar, blemish, missing tail tips and eyes can often serve as proof that the same individuals have set up shop and thrive for years under cover at study sites. This is another reason to take time to inspect and photograph even the smaller and most common species at your sites!