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Aesculapian snake


Aesculapian snake
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 710 W: 3 N: 2252] (8028)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-23
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon D-80, AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, @ ISO 200, SIGMA 62MM EX DG MC UV Filter
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Snakes (Reptilia) of the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-09-23 14:14
Viewed: 228
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Zamenis longissimus (=Elaphe longissima) (Aesculapian snake) [in Turk. Eskülap Yılanı] (Female)

An elegant and beautiful -at least for me-, non-venomous snake from Gökgöl Caves (#2) located on the road between Zonguldak and Bartın provinces. This beauty is accepted as the international medical symbol. I also attached a WS to show it its environment and total appearance.

TFL and Have a nice day!
Cheers,

©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.

*****************************

The Aesculapian snake is a relatively slender snake that can reach 2.25 m in total length, but is more usually around 1.4–1.6 m. Adult Aesculapian snakes are a fairly plain brown, yellowish or olive colour and the anterior third of the body is often distinctly lighter. Various white spots and vague longitudinal stripes may also be present. Juveniles are much more boldly marked and somewhat resemble grass snakes, Natrix natrix. It is found from sea level to 2,000 m in a variety of habitats, including deciduous woodland, scrub, marshy areas, traditional farming landscapes and around human dwellings. These snakes seem to prefer humid regions and are often associated with river valleys. They are excellent climbers and it is becoming apparent that they utilise the interior and the canopy of woodlands far more than previously thought. Aesculapian snakes are powerful constrictors and prey on small rodents, making them economically beneficial to farmers, as well as on birds and lizards.

Although a diurnal species it is secretive and seldom seen. Mating Aesculapian snakes perform an elegant “dance” with their front ends raised in an S-shape and the bodies and tails intertwined, the behaviour that is represented on the international medical symbol. An average of 5-11 eggs are laid in some form of decomposing vegetation, such as heaps of leaf litter, compost and manure or humus-filled holes in trees, and many females may utilise the same site if it is particularly favourable for incubation. Juveniles vary from 12-37 cm in length and are fully self-sufficient upon hatching. Aesculapian snakes have numerous predators, especially when young, including many mammals and birds, but do not appear to have many direct competitors among other snakes.

This elegant snake has a wide distribution, occurring in 26 countries, including Turkey, in geographical Europe with just one separate population, around Lake Urmia in northern Iran. In Turkey, there is an isolated population occurs on the northern slopes of Ağrı Dağı (Mount Ararat) in eastern Turkey. Aesculapian snakes are also found in northeast Turkey where they form part of the population along the eastern shores of the Black Sea, extending into Georgia and southern Russia, which is itself separate from the main European distribution. This species is also found in northwest Turkey, where it is connected to the main European distribution via the Greek and Bulgarian populations.

References:
1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
4. Arnold, N.E. (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe.Collins, London, UK, 288 pp.
milas, cirano, Saba, roges, tanburi, parasbhalla, hay_kes, shaukatmi, brunorsantana, CallMeMaria, neusser0204, Fortuna has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bayram,
For me too, it's a very elegant and beautiful snake!
Excellent sharpness and details, marvellous colors.
TFS
Regards,
Lurdes

Great close up, my friend Bayram!
Wonderful texture and very nice DOF.
I love your POV here. Congratulations!

Abraços,
Bruno

Merhaba, Behram. snakes are the most evolved and pretty creatures and you presented this beauty with elegance. nice sharp image with good metering and a nice note. Selamlar.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 592 W: 0 N: 957] (4596)
  • [2009-09-23 19:57]

Merhaba MF Bayram,
wow...what a pose. so agile and well seen. the scales are so detailed.
Real shot of a snake.

regards,
Foozi

Merhaba Bayram hocam
Geçmiş bayramınız kutlu olsun
Sizi tekrar görmek çok güzel
Ürkütücü ama etkileyici bir makro
Elinize sağlık
Burak

Merhaba Hocam,
Harika bir yılan portresi.yakın plan çekim ve flu arka plan nefis.Eline sağlık.
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

  • Great 
  • AndroK Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 1465 W: 23 N: 0] (11700)
  • [2009-09-23 22:52]

Merhaba my friend...
Beautiful shot with so nice snake...
Beautiful focus...
Regards...
Andro

Hi,
Sharp,clear and very well focused.Nice composition.
TFS
regards,
Khawar

Merhaba MF Bayram,

Lovely macro capture of the snake with elegant framing of the wonderful shot!
I like the perfect sharpness and a well chosen POV. The details are superb with great show of the eyes of the snake.
Marvelous capture, my friend!

Have a great day!

regards,
Paras

Selam Bayram Hoca,
Askulap yılanı demek bu. Görkemli bir sunum ve derinlik. Adeta üç boyutlu
Tebrikler
Selahattin E

Merhaba Hocam,
HArika bir çekim.Bir çok ortamda örnek olarak göstereceğim bir fotoğraf.Kompozisyon, alan derinliği kullanımı , hepsi çok güzel..
Elinize , ışığınıza sağlık..
Selam,saygı..
Şeref

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 500 W: 0 N: 920] (4643)
  • [2009-09-24 8:26]

Merhaba Bayram,

An excellent image. A splendid macro and well played.
My congratulations.
Have a pleasant day,
Adrian

Bayram merhaba,
Bir film karesinden fırlamış gibi muhteşem bir poz.Derinlik ve netlik harika.Emeğine sağlık.
Bi slavên germ.

Dûrzan

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1683 W: 124 N: 1437] (20268)
  • [2009-09-24 13:35]

Merhaba Bayram bey,
sanki gerçek,sanki oradan üzerimize geliverecekmiş gibi.Mükemmel bir yakın çekim olmuş.Notunuz ve bu güzellik için teşekkürler,tebrikler.Necla.

  • Great 
  • Saba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 548 W: 0 N: 1514] (8905)
  • [2009-09-24 14:00]

Merhaba Bayram!

Beautiful snake and splendid realization.
Congratulations.

I greet warmly.
Barbara

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2720 W: 405 N: 2973] (32719)
  • [2009-09-25 0:30]

Merhaba hocam...
Aman Allah ım bu ne kadar güzel bir yaratık, insan ürksede,korksada yaratılış harikası, pullardaki güzelliğe, desene bakın...sizde çok güzel bir açıdan çekip paylaşmışsınız..eliniz, gözünüz dert görmeye,,,,selam ve saygılarımızla..

Buen primer plano de este reptil excelente momento y nitidez
Buen trabajo
un saludo

Hello MF Bayram.
Great detail, colours and sharpness.
Composition and exposure are very good. Superb POV and framing.Thanks for posting,
Best regards Siegfried

Hi my dear friend Bayram,

Just pefect capture with excellent FG and BG!
Congratulations and TFS
Sergio

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