Spotted this poor thing while out biking uphill in the Pyrenees - only had my iPhone.
Yes, I know it’s disgusting, but at the same time graphically appealing, and I found the metaphoric touch by passing on to the next world by making an almost perfect eternity sign irresistible.
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I’m clearly not a wildlife photographer (as you would see on my homepage) and I suspect this subject matter hardly fits the definition of wildlife - rather “nature more” than “still life”. Points of view?
Jan, yes a graphic image as a documentary more than any true wildlife scene as you’ve pointed out. And you’re correct. The infinity loop is a sadly poetic sign for this poor creature. Do you know if this was a venomous snake? …
In general snakes and I get along very well. We keep our distances as far apart as possible. Especially after I was face to face with a very large diamond back on one of my hunting outings as a teenager…
Thanks Paul - much appreciated!
The common European viper is poisonous to smaller animals including dogs but human fatalities are rare. So don’t worry, unless you’re a small rodent…
Well-seen, Jan. Beyond the obvious appeal of the shape, the patterns and textures in this (scales, surrounding stones) work incredibly well. It’s quite dramatic, despite the, er… lack of movement.
Hello Jan, I’ve only just found your photo as I’m diving into submittals from before I joined NPN. I’ll take a different point of view: to me, this is a wildlife photo, and it’s a moving, tragic little vignette. Snakes, like all wildlife, have such a hard time in the Anthropocene. This image says it all. I’m not disturbed by the graphic details, but the image is so symbolic of human indifference and that disturbs me – making your image very successful indeed. Best – MET
Hi Michael,
Sorry for being sluggish, not been very active lately. Thanks for appreciating comments, I obviously hoped for my ideas resonating this way.
Cheers, Jan
