10 ft Long Python in the Wild.

[hotspur]

The sheep grazier rang this morning and said there was a large python near scrub,and asked if we wanted to come and photograph it.My son and his friend also came along.It blended well into the leaf litter,and lantana surrounds.

Images captured with a Canon 50D and Canon 17-55 F 2.8 lens,also used a Canon 430x flash,I'll post settings if anyone interested-rather difficult to get images-I had to get on my hands and knees and to within 3 ft of it head-in the tight space conditions,did not have much room to move about,other chap had a 5D2 and 24-105 L,I handed him flash so will post some of his pics too later.

Was great to see a large animal in the wild,at peace,much better than seeing at a zoo.

Hope these are of interest-thanks for looking:thumbsup:

[Octane]

What a beautiful creature!

H

[Larryp]

Great shots:thumbsup:

[hotspur]

Thanks H and Larry.

Yes,H-lovely to see one in the wild,and slowly melt away into the the undergrowth of the forest,must have been quite an age.I have seen one larger than this,and it had a head the size of a dog's head.

Hopefully might see this fellow again.

[leon]

Nice one Chris they are indeed a beautiful reptile, lucky you.

Leon

[LewisM]

I saw 2 as large - perhaps larger - not that long back after the floods last year. One decided to coil up in the middle of the road - he was EASILY as fat as a downpipe, and VERY VERY coiled up.

The other sad. He was by FAR the LONGEST python I have seen before - EASILY 15 feet long, with a head like a dog as you mentioned. He was on the highway not far from Mooloolaba. He had crossed the south bound, before being hit by a car - looked DELIBERATE - 2 cars ahead of me - mangled 3 foot section of tail, and the poor blighter was writhing around in agony. I ALMOST stopped to put him out of his misery, but thought he may just survive (possible). Cripes he was big!!!

In other snake news, I had found a snake egg (disintegrated in my hands) in the back palm patch. Small enough exit hole, so knew he was alive. Next few weeks, I kept hearing frogs sending out their iconic distress/danger croaks, so i knew the snake that hatched was active. Well, the other day walking up the hallway, I see a good foot and a half of black tail heading rapidly under our outside sofa. Called the wife to watch for when it came out (she was behind glass) to see what it looked like . gingerly moved the outside coach (from half behind a screen door), and it darted out like a bolt - easily 3.5 to 4 ft long, black. Didn't see stomach, so not sure if red belly black or small eyed snake (though, they are born live) - either way, surely don't want EITHER around the yard thanks!There have been SEVERAL red belly blacks around, so suspect it's one.

I will try trapping it with crumpled aviary mesh first, before calling the council.

[StephenM]

That's an impressive snake Chris! Don't think I've seen one that big.

Cheers,
Stephen