Desert Massauga, (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsi). Mescalero Sands, Chaves co., New Mexico. Nikon N-90, 70-210 plus 5T close-up lens.

This is typical hunting behavior for these small rattlesnakes- coiled, backed up against a bush or other object, and partially burried in the sand. Here they wait for the next luckless centipede, lizard, or pocket mouse that happens by.

-- Billy Gorum (Herphoto@aol.com), December 24, 1999

Answers

I couldn't have drawn a more perfect circle. Nice shot.
BTW did u climb the tree next to it to make this pic? Is it a little glarey ?

-- santanu (santanu_nag@hotmail.com), December 28, 1999.

No tree climbing nessesary here, (actually there are no trees in the Mescalero Sands). These are really tiny rattlesnakes. This individual, (a young one), is maybe a foot long. A two footer would have to be considered a giant for this species. As far as being glary, I dont notice any really overly bright highlights on my moniter. I think this is a pretty close match to the original slide, though I may have increased contrast just a bit.

-- Billy Gorum (Herphoto@aol.com), December 28, 1999.

Nice pattern shot.

-- Larry Korhnak (lvk@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu), December 30, 1999.