Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Photo & Video => Topic started by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 05:24:39 PM

Title: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 05:24:39 PM: You be the judge.

A photo assay of the life and times of a rattlesnake den. Lots of pics to come. Staff in one hand....12 pound lens in the other.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts1body.jpg&hash=30c42c2a4dc3fbf4dbc5b72d6e046ff4f4d4e035)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 05:25:21 PM: You'll note I don't have much depth of field shooting wide open....
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts2.jpg&hash=d6e4cf77ae67ae7f69294909ed364c8611cd637f)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: C-Money on May 16, 2009, 05:28:31 PM: Well you did not get bit so I will vote Balls. I do my best to stay the heck away from those snakes best I can!
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Justin C. on May 16, 2009, 05:37:12 PM: You take some nice photos
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 07:15:40 PM: Well, at one time I was stalking a big one and trying to get him with his tongue out and one crawled over my foot.

I was playing withthe fstop. Note the increased depth of field.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutsfstop.jpg&hash=e0a058cd2a4a9de48df81f3f871d5b704a0306c0)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 07:21:10 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts3.jpg&hash=19ada313a6d0d004a8a2bb1d90d426b4fa126db3).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 07:25:36 PM: tasting the air
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts3tongu.jpg&hash=06f91341429f227d43d66295b0ce146aa0841724)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: MuleyontheWall on May 16, 2009, 07:26:10 PM: Cool shots...I'll be hiding in the truck...I hate those things....
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: mossback91 on May 16, 2009, 07:27:11 PM: Id have killed it before I took a picture.......
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: jackelope on May 16, 2009, 07:32:16 PM: before i pass judgement i want to know how far away you were...because i know how far they can strike, and it's not very far.

:chuckle:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 07:35:28 PM: the hard part with this camera is that I have to be 9 feet away to take the picture, so I had to stand on a bunch of others trying to get the angle to take a picture or two. Sooooooooo I took two cameras. One for macro close shots and I actually got within inches of several. Lots more shots.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts4.jpg&hash=696fdd84c3ececadb5f1ce3aab849ead977d7600)
a little more tongue
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: jackelope on May 16, 2009, 07:38:13 PM: well no offense cuz you're bigger than me, but getting within inches of the business end of a rattlesnake is stupid. you're not faster than they are unless it's 50 degrees outside, i don't care who you are.
;)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 07:45:17 PM: one on the move. Pretty cool standing there and listening to them moving all around you. :)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts5.jpg&hash=a39b74cfdce717aabe52cfdd914b6933e35cb221)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: woodswalker on May 16, 2009, 07:46:58 PM: I've been hit by a diamond back.....Not EVER again. You can keep it.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Thenewguy on May 16, 2009, 07:48:07 PM: They look mean...
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 07:50:26 PM: Do you ever get the idea you've been spotted.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutseyeonu.jpg&hash=44cad30ef2de7ce83eacd340c7923b5b06fab9e8)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: shoot-em-dead on May 16, 2009, 07:51:15 PM: I've got one foot missing so that means 50% chance that if they strike they'll hit metal. But 50% is still too much risk for me so I'd have to guess you've got at least twice the balls I do. :P
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 07:56:01 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts6.jpg&hash=9ce8859d73415a76a33c2db2dd69701d78a73ac1).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:00:45 PM: taking some shade
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnut7.jpg&hash=34ab869aab5b82e11e28827122b75d6a8a7b0745)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: WDFW-SUX on May 16, 2009, 08:03:08 PM: :iamwithstupid:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:04:56 PM: he's in there somewhere
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuttail.jpg&hash=cdc8fb9733adffd211b42c0a29d3d441d4305326)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:08:39 PM: more than one thing that will bite or sting.....
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutssting.jpg&hash=2af9f82b26c060f1d9c9ee82dd87ac82138bb01d)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:11:40 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts8.jpg&hash=85796d37d8e266154842a9b37a9a9f292ece8a0d).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:15:27 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnuts9.jpg&hash=032d618b6da79136458110c29067bd5b919b88ed).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: ivarhusa on May 16, 2009, 08:19:25 PM: Quote
...a little more tongue.

That's what she said.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: mossback91 on May 16, 2009, 08:19:54 PM: Quote from: ivarhusa on May 16, 2009, 08:19:25 PM
Quote
...a little more tongue.

That's what she said.

THATS AWESOME!!!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:22:55 PM: had to put the smackdown on this guy. Its funny...year after year there are multiple den entrances and the smaller snakes are in one entrance and the trophy snakes are at another entrance. I got two of the big ones. hit the third but he got into the rocks, and the 4th, I had a stare down with for a LONG time for the best shot, then he bailed. He was the biggest.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutssmack.jpg&hash=a03bc3041bf246bf182c58484b32b1854d9a36ed)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Ricochet on May 16, 2009, 08:26:59 PM: Great shots, Bone. I vote for ya having big ones, 'cause I will only work with one of those critters at a time. If one crawled across my foot, he'd be swimming upstream. :yike:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:28:40 PM: It took some restraint. Gotta have composure. I took this shot and there was one coiled up about 1 foot away. I reached down withthe little camera and took a couple shots of him. I hope they turned out.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutnuts.jpg&hash=eb2666fdb0a781ef3197cb8511f31809dab97d8f).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: oneezreiter on May 16, 2009, 08:30:22 PM: Stones. Great big hairy brass stones.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:33:38 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutsunder.jpg&hash=af2833159fa77e09da8bf2534fce289ec6926e0d),
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Track-er on May 16, 2009, 08:33:52 PM: Great pics,You definately have some big ones to get that close.

Mike
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:40:10 PM: Heres the big one that got away. I was hoping to catch him with his tongue out. I'd stand there until I couldn't handle it, I swear as sooon as I looke dout of the viewfinder ....tongue. I was going to shoot him, and he knew it.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutbig.jpg&hash=977202e85245faca455c2abb0360193862274c38)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:47:26 PM: While I was waiting for that shot, I spotted another one taking a gander
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutshead.jpg&hash=8cb4a076e6ef9a5070d8f5ba7feba0d925980e6a)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:52:45 PM: Another head
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutsmorehead.jpg&hash=c5bdf16479ae0ce531a45ef277fcd4c1db9ce6a2)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 08:59:48 PM: They sure don't smile much
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutspit.jpg&hash=8b906e9b34531d4399a4ab77655320616fdc5886)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 09:03:22 PM: several different color phases
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutscolorphase.jpg&hash=9ea978fa589aa5b867d00a76acdba136e9f788cf)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 09:06:58 PM: HEY ITS SPRING.....coming out of the ground for the first time....
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutsheyitsspring.jpg&hash=b71142b798fa93045711e62d8512ce6e174446e9)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 09:11:07 PM: a nice fatty
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutsfatty.jpg&hash=dbc185a76f6f00383925ac32447c919cbf21df62)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 09:14:42 PM: I think I shot this one...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutsshot.jpg&hash=6e06a5bf35ff13c60f38328e8026cf2031e44fd3)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2009, 09:19:37 PM: fitting that this was the tail end of this role of film on this camera. ;) I'll have to see what I got on the other. I imagine they are washed out pretty good as I didn't have a hood on it, but we shall see.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fnutstailend.jpg&hash=39f9e9fedbe97a533b617e4ba1b7196461417037)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: saylean on May 16, 2009, 09:58:47 PM: snakes are just too freaking cool. check out the scowl they are giving. Great pics Bone~
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: mulehunter on May 16, 2009, 10:17:38 PM: GREAT Pics! 8)

Mulehunter
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: markts on May 16, 2009, 10:20:19 PM: Nuts,great big nuts. :o Mark
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on May 16, 2009, 10:22:40 PM: :) Bone I need one of those. Catch me one in a 5 gallon bucket and throw it in the freezer for me would ya? Got to be atleast 4'.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Aneoakleaf on May 17, 2009, 12:12:38 AM: :yike: This is what I do with them!!
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 06:15:22 AM: :chuckle: I think I'd lose a few arrows in this local. good shot Anne.

SUREEEEEEEE Michelle. Just for those that don't know physics, a 5 gallon buck won't hold a 4 foot rattler. :chuckle: I know, I've tried. and for those thinking burlap sacks, just remember they aren't fang proof when its bouncing against your leg coming off the hill. :)

The only 4 footer I saw was the one I should have shot instead of taking his pics. The two I brought home were just over three. I wanted to go back today, but I bet I'll end up doing chores.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: ICEMAN on May 17, 2009, 06:45:46 AM: Balls or Stupidity?

Both. A little of one, a lot of the other. You guess which order.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on May 17, 2009, 07:04:16 AM: I've heard something similure to that but I thought it was a 5' snake wouldn't fit into a 5 gallon bucket?

I don't know I've always just carried a snake box with me in the back of my truck and a catch stick when I was in Georgia. Basicly it was a plywood box with I think 1' x 1/2" cage wite on top so I could see where the snakes were befor I opened the door to remove them. Use to find some really good size snakes laying on and in the road sunning themselves in the morning or getting the warmth from the road in the evening. If they were not 4' I didn't mess with them a whole lot unless I was asked for one that size.

I may have to make it over to the East side this year and find me a good size snake. I've got an idea for a mount to put in my shop.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:14:01 AM: The biggest deal here is the logistics of where I am at. You'll see in this next batch of pics. Bare in mind this isn't a road or flad ground I am playing with these guys in. Its in the middle of a very unstable rockslide. Its fun when it starts moving. Snakes like it too. Every here 1,000+ rattles buzzing at one time. The key is to stay upright, NEVER put your hand down. Considering how steep alot of this is, you are also looking right intot eh snakes above your head. THEN throw in an expensive heavy camera that you can't pt down. This was a pain.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:16:41 AM: Here is an example. Note that this is near vertical and I am looking into it.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnutsbatch.jpg&hash=ab54484548d7acff5d8ad9fab474f85f5ff7aca4)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: WDFW-SUX on May 17, 2009, 07:18:00 AM: Can you PM me the location so I dont ever go there :dunno:
Thanks. :yike:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:20:34 AM: If I remember right, there were 10 snakes in that picture. Shortly after that one I had to dispatch a snake because he was aggressive. That bastage wanted a piece of me and actually struck a couple times. I think he had just shed because he looked wet and clean. I wanted to take his pic but I was a bit distracted. There is a HUGE underground hole right here just to the right of this picture. I have a loving memory of standing here one day when the snakes were pouring out of the ground faster than I could shoot, and the whole hillside was buzzing. It also smells terrible.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:23:10 AM: Its interesting how the snakes are segregated by size. I used to wonder if it was boulder size or what. Also, the higher up the hill, the smaller the snake. This is where I always get the big ones. On an overcast hot day, I'd make a run, get to here, come of the hill and start over and the rocks would be filled back up.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnutsbatch2.jpg&hash=c27be85e44e53baee402526a69df659a2c2c02d1)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:24:21 AM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnuts1.jpg&hash=e7abf9209caf169bf762947255f551f1be77b7cf).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:25:58 AM: This was at about 6 inches....
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnutsclsoe.jpg&hash=55e83888f71ad9e02230a927f819eeeaa50ceb61)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:27:03 AM: I could think of nicer places I'd like to lay.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnutsnested.jpg&hash=6e35b93daa955fb6792fa9e8045d73f762d93838)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: WDFW-SUX on May 17, 2009, 07:27:36 AM: I hate snakes but I like them when you make a crab cake out of them.....
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:28:24 AM: This guy never moved. I was standing and moving around practically on his head. I held the camera down to him and snapped
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnutsrealclose.jpg&hash=9206b64e5e9755bad8b5bdfb4fc560d58a6117a6)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: 509er on May 17, 2009, 07:29:21 AM: Looks like a good spot for 100 gallons of diesel and a match to me. :twocents:

Cool pics!
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:30:14 AM: blame it on the ammuniton crisis. I only had 25 loads left. I usually use about 100 or so. I could have burned through about 200 today. I bought a bunch last year then killed sparrows all winter with them. Now I am pissed becasue I can't seem to find any.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnutstakinapeek.jpg&hash=12ab41a28ddd05e5fc8b109f1b03c3da00dffd72)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:30:53 AM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2nuts.jpg&hash=6daf02a2d44b73a89626ee885c83ed528b3bf962).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:32:02 AM: I have often wanted to see just how big of a ball this set of snakes is in teh winter.
Here are three sets of eyes.....kinda cool
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2nutssetsofeye.jpg&hash=80e3eb3906a14573dd80e5262a8d9a9e15f32a62)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:32:53 AM: I thought this guy would make a nice pair of boots.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2nutstexture.jpg&hash=ec929608072ac2b2e406995670617282b9c9a63d)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:41:28 AM: wish I could convey in a picture how unstable and steep this is. I think there was another dozen or so in front of me here. Most are hard to see becasue they are in the ground a bit out of the sun.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnutsbalance.jpg&hash=1acb7857dd13a78b1fce9a899be8e7af1060e9fb)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2009, 07:42:12 AM: heres a close up of the last frame to help bring some to light
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2F2ndnutscloserbalance.jpg&hash=fb23c088d3c6b7d1c1192cf030ab336b4f2425d1)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: popeshawnpaul on May 17, 2009, 09:23:25 AM: :o

Great shots Doug, but can't you get us a few close ups? You can borrow my 100mm macro lens if you need. It'll focus down to 2" minimum focus distance. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 17, 2009, 10:02:45 AM: Nice pics Bone. ...You thinkin' about starting a new church...?
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: scoyoc5 on May 17, 2009, 10:15:28 AM: jeeze those are cute little buggers....bet they would make great pets :chuckle: :chuckle:.....great picture bone thanks for the write up
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: kitsap on May 17, 2009, 10:34:48 AM: Great pictures !!

It is one of those questions - If you have to ask then you cannot stand the answer!

Doug
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: caseyv21 on May 17, 2009, 11:00:53 AM: this doesn't happen to be the den on mt. clemans is it?
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: robb92 on May 17, 2009, 11:14:06 AM: I would have to say BALLS!!! Great pics and thanks for posting them!!!
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: skybusterbo on May 17, 2009, 11:21:23 AM: :yike:I would say a little of both. Nice pic's...but damn dude :yike:.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: skybusterbo on May 17, 2009, 11:34:14 AM: I can see the headline in the paper." Selah man stumbles into rattlesnake den bit over 200 times", just don't know if it's worth the pic's. Seems like you have allot of deer and elk yet to kill. :twocents:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on May 17, 2009, 11:39:22 AM: WOW! Excellent photography. Well, my son and I think you lean on the crazy side. And we admit that you've got bigger balls than either of us. Hopefully not too big, as they would appear to be targets for fangs. Mine would be shriveled up as peas just like I'd just fallen through the ice on a glacial river.

You said that you shot a bunch of them that day. What are you using to kill them with?

-Steve
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: tlbradford on May 17, 2009, 01:15:43 PM: Great Shots. I would say stupidity, but then if I found a den like that I would be doing the same thing. So, I'm in the same boat as you.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Aneoakleaf on May 17, 2009, 05:14:49 PM: Great pictures! I'd show Smokey but he hates snakes...( he doesn't know I have 3 in the freezer :dunno:)...
I lived in Wapato as a kid and say lots of rattelers. I think they're cool. ;)
But realy...don't get bit.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: gramps on May 17, 2009, 05:46:56 PM: Bone..you are crazy, but great photos. I have been gonna go look for a couple so I can fix the skin for the grandsons...but I won't be 6" away taking pictures.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: swanny on May 17, 2009, 05:47:29 PM: I vote for insane!

Hope I never stumble upon that...I would roll down the hill to my death!

Love looking at the pictures but freak out at the sight of any snake.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: huntnphool on May 17, 2009, 08:50:26 PM: Cool pics Bone
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Armadillo on May 17, 2009, 08:56:48 PM: Very cool pics, I like the forked tongue shot alot!
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Tom Reichner on May 18, 2009, 07:57:28 AM: Quote from: popeshawnpaul on May 17, 2009, 09:23:25 AM
:o

Great shots Doug, but can't you get us a few close ups? You can borrow my 100mm macro lens if you need. It'll focus down to 2" minimum focus distance. :chuckle:
Doug, congratulations on a killer thread - it's only a couple days old and you're up to 6 pages of replies!

As for the lens, I'm curious to know what you were using. Perhaps you mentioned it already, but I can't read thru all 6 pages to see if you did or not.

Shawn suggested (albeit tongue-in-cheek) the macro lens. I've seriously considered getting one for rattlesnakes. I've never been pleased with the minimum focusing distance of any of my lenses when it comes to the rattlers. The 100-400 gets down to about 5 feet, which still leaves me wanting to get closer. The big 400 2.8 focuses down to 10 feet - even worse.

Now let me tell you about a little trick I learned, quite by accident. When I put a tele-extender on the big 400, it actually decreases the lens' minimum focusing distance. Sounds like the opposite of what you'd think, but it's true.

Last spring when I photographed rattlers, I used the 100-400 instead of my big 400 simply because I thought I could get much closer with it. I was wrong. If I would have used the big 400 with a 1.4 tc, not only would I have been increasing the focal length from 400 to 560, but I also would have decreased the minimum focus distance down to about 6 feet. 560mm at 6 feet is actually closer than the 400mm at 5 feet. The 2x tc does this, too, but I'm not sure to what extent.

I only know about the 1.4 trick because yesterday I was shooting Blue Grouse, and the displaying males came right at me. I had the focus on AI mode, and kept shooting right up until the lens couldn't focus any more, which was astonishingly close - about 6 feet away. At first I couldn't understand, for the lens has always stopped being able to focus at around 10 feet. I figured it must have been the 1.4 on there that changed things. Took it off, and sure enough, it couldn't focus closer than 10 feet. I'm curious to see what happens with the 2x on there.

Anyway, the point of all this is that you may be able to get much closer rattlesnake images without having to use a macro - and without having to get within a few inches of them. If your lens is an f4, try the 1.4 and see if it works. If it's a 2.8, try the 2x - it may be even better.

-Tom
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Craig on May 18, 2009, 11:00:11 AM: Great pictures.

If you don't get bit then you have balls.
If you do get bit then you were stupid.

You can never have to big of stick when your messing with snake.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 18, 2009, 11:00:59 AM: Neat trick Tom, I'll have to try it. 90% of these pics are full frame (no cropping). I was using the 400. I wanted the sharpness from it, but it was an absolute bear trying to get far enough AWAY from the snakes and still get the angle I wanted. Then I was packing my P/S Lumix for the ones I couldn't get. It has a pretty "decent" macro setting on it. On it I was able to shoot right up in th esnakes face. I wasn't shootin in RAW with it, so was concerned that about handling th ewhite light. VERY BRIGHT and reflective off of those rocks. ANother pisser in that slide was the use of a monopod or freehanding that 400, and doing it for 3 hours. Great workout for the guns. That and you can't just set it down anywhere.
I haven't been that happy with my 1.4 (kinda soft). I was thinking about trying another one. I suppose I could send the whole kit and comboodle down to Canon to have it calibrated, but thats scary.

as scary as it is, I'd have LOVED to have been shooting a great Macro lens.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 18, 2009, 11:02:06 AM: By the way, THANKS GUYS!
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: jackelope on May 18, 2009, 11:02:52 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on May 18, 2009, 11:02:06 AM
By the way, THANKS GUYS!

thanks for calling you stupid?
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 18, 2009, 12:12:28 PM: of course...I'm gracious and humble.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Firing Pin on May 18, 2009, 12:45:36 PM: First, your pictures are FANTASTIC....
Second you are F--King nuts!!

Are you kidding me, standing on some while trying to get pictures of another!!!!
The sound of them moving around you while you take pictures!!!! :yike:

To me the only good snake is a dead snake.... Yes, I know the do good but no way in hell would I even think about searching them out.

Screw That.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Dipsnort on May 18, 2009, 12:55:41 PM: Those things look way cuddly...NOT! Bone, you're a crazy SOB and we love ya for it...until you die of multiple rattler bites and then we'll just stick with crazy SOB! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 18, 2009, 04:29:48 PM: :chuckle:
I've certainly killed my share. This ammo crisis is pushing me to the brink. Whats weird is after that many snakes and they do give a guy the creepy crawlies is that when you close your eyes, you still see snakes moving. :yike: It always lasts for about 48 hours. Some weird dreams.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Firing Pin on May 18, 2009, 08:41:58 PM: I rest my case.... The only things I want to see when I dream is that big ol' buck or bull elk looking up as I squeeze the trigger......And of course those HOT blonde twins with me and......Oh wrong forum ;)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: HawkenBob on May 19, 2009, 06:54:32 AM: Steve Irwin had balls and some would say stupid. You go in like him and you'll be somebody.
Quit hiding behind that camera and get in there if ya wanna be ballsey.... ;)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: PacificNWhunter on May 19, 2009, 09:51:22 AM: No way I would every get that close to snakes on purpose...your nuts.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Huntbear on May 21, 2009, 03:55:42 PM: :yike: :yike: :bdid: :bdid:

Bone, I have to vote, absolutely freaking insane!!!!!!

They are great pics, but like was said earlier, only good one is a dead one, and I will add, made into a pair of boots.

I would rather face off with a cougar or bear than a snake any day of the week!!!!
I hate snakes!!!!!!!!! I hate Snakes!!!! :bash: :bash:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 21, 2009, 04:01:07 PM: i just killed a couple for ya. Not very many. It was either too cold, too warm or they are long gone. I got to try out a members pistol though. :)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: GoldTip on May 21, 2009, 04:33:42 PM: Great pics Bone, but jumpin Jeezus H Keerist I'm gettin the willies just lookin at that many of the damned things. I play hunter or catch with one at a time, but one crawlin over my boot toe woulda had me screechin like a schoolgirl.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Dipsnort on May 22, 2009, 09:02:51 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on May 21, 2009, 04:01:07 PM
i just killed a couple for ya. Not very many. It was either too cold, too warm or they are long gone. I got to try out a members pistol though. :)

"Multiple rattlesnake bites", "hit in the head by his own ricochet'd bullet"...let's face it Bone, one way or another we're going to see your name in the Darwin Awards one of these days. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 12:39:04 PM: How about belly crawling after one of the rattlers biggest predators.... :chuckle: He almost became a limb skin for hornseekers next bow or Rays next self bow.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 04:52:46 PM: I liked the shadow effect of his tongue. This guy was a cutie. Crawled right up to me then went holy crap. :chuckle:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fbullangle.jpg&hash=273d9fba82a6aa647a1bc7350a6cb5c72803d668)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 04:58:19 PM: I thought of Ray or Hornseeker. This guy had been eating well for a Bull.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fskins.jpg&hash=0da8f7e9155cd50c6c733bcf4c59af11803d1c3f)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 22, 2009, 05:05:23 PM: Wow, that's a fat bullsnake. When I was a kid we used to see them slithering in and out of swallow holes in a clay bank by my house in Kettle Falls. You could see the lumps where they had "swallowed" the baby "swallows".
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 05:07:01 PM: Yeah that got a few in trouble around my house, but they were pheasants instead of swallows. I killed one that had half a dozen chukar eggs in him. Now that was funny. I hate killing them as they do so much good around my house, but business is business.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 05:07:53 PM: the eggs of this bird are worth about $200 each. She lays 2 a year.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fpeacpheas.jpg&hash=a0381a904897a87ab42023cff7bcfb1f3cf2ea7b)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: jackelope on May 22, 2009, 05:13:42 PM: thats a limbhanger...
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 22, 2009, 05:27:13 PM: Looks like some kind of chinese-bred-fly-tying-pheasant...
I am pretty sure I have seen parts of that bird on one atlantic salmon fly or another...
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 05:53:02 PM: here is another cutie. I'm glad rattlers aren't as fast as these.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fracer.jpg&hash=a77c74a3c75f9858f14c1408459e9ae653de8cbe)

You are right Pathfinder.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 05:59:09 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fracer2.jpg&hash=f0dfa8ee98f24f4937df4b4b7d47246ed5c57af0).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 06:07:55 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fracer3.jpg&hash=1cb8c2d42fc7f12263ce4493906c937ea11faf36).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 06:16:03 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fboots-1.jpg&hash=11e2a02f3043bb4aa12647c0d76ae29de4444ed0)
I did manage to find at least one potential pair of boots
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 06:21:36 PM: somebody wanted a close up
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Frathead.jpg&hash=f50c280b3e2469d252da0e08538d11abfa4e5afd)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 06:24:53 PM: how close(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fcloseeeee.jpg&hash=ba37018f2cc206a76ce32aa5ff6ff92b11f4c4dd)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 06:27:40 PM: TOOOOOOOO CLOSE :chuckle: Jumping back with finger on the trigger. LOL
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Ftoocloseeee.jpg&hash=ee754d7e25305772c7e1cc067969c84b18e4bb29)
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 22, 2009, 06:33:21 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fforkieeeee.jpg&hash=8b399ae0edf23655781833b3fe4b4264694e92a5).
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: WCTaxidermy on May 22, 2009, 06:42:38 PM: Bone, You're one crazy dude! ;) You have Balls of steel to get even within a mile of one of those ;). I hate snakes! I got bit by one of them while fishing in the pot holes out of moses lake when I was a kid. I even jump at the sight of a big night crawler :yike: Great pictures though. John
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: swanny on May 22, 2009, 08:42:19 PM: What kind is the non-rattler?

Those close-ups made me step back from my screen...
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: furbearer365 on May 22, 2009, 08:57:46 PM: Poisonous snakes to me are like gay porn, I know that it exists but I never want to see it or be around it period. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Gobble Gobble on May 22, 2009, 09:09:39 PM: I had a run in on Monday at work with a small 2 foot rattler. It was spotted by a buddy as he was getting out of his truck. The rattler was 5 feet way and moving fast towards me. It's the third snake in as many weeks I have seen. The last two were harmless bull snakes. I love snakes and by the end of summer I shall accomplish a goal and hand catch me a rattler. Where I work they are all over and we must be vigilant about where we walk, what we pick up and what is around the equipment we are working on.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 23, 2009, 05:58:53 AM: The first one was a big bullsnake. They get long but don't usually have much girth to them. They show a lot more aggression than rattlers usually do. The second is what I have always called a brown racer. They are about as fast as a snake can get here in the states.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: big ed on May 24, 2009, 06:41:37 PM: I HATE those things comming from socal near the border much rather dumb 5 gal. of gas on them and have a bbq.I vote for balls
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: flashover52 on May 24, 2009, 10:04:08 PM: I'm with the others.....

If you don't get bit -- you have huge cahoona's. 8)

Get bit -- you're stupid. :bdid:

Fantastic clarity on the pictures.....
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on May 25, 2009, 08:35:35 AM: Thanks Flash. I think I am done for the year. They get a little hot for me now that the temps are up. I wanted to catch one in th eopen rattling and ready to strike, but it didn't work out. I hopefully won't find any this year in the garden or bird pens.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: colockumelk on July 13, 2009, 11:25:14 PM: I vote stupid because snakes are godless killing machines. But then again I used to ride bulls so I guess that's kind of like the pot calling the kettle black :chuckle:

Three questions for you.
1.) What kind of boots do you wear.
2.) What kind of pistol and what kind of shot do you use?
3.) About where were you. The Wenas side or the Clemans side? I know of a couple of dens up in the Wenas. And one up Umtanum Creek. Places I now avoid. Oh I know of one up Garritt Canyon as well.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: shanevg on July 13, 2009, 11:45:49 PM: You're crazy Doug.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: mossback91 on July 14, 2009, 08:36:02 AM: hey bone how about this................balls or stupidity???
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: zackmioli on July 14, 2009, 08:54:02 AM: ahhhh rattlers have always freaked me out. their rattle is like the beat of a death drum.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 14, 2009, 09:19:03 AM: My fingers don't get close to any snake, even if that small, unless that snake is dead. Shot, flamed, stabbed, decappitated, driven over by truck or other suitable means of inflicting serious life taking process.

No, not likey snakes. Not at all!

-Steve
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Shadow Cat on July 14, 2009, 10:44:23 PM: Moss... I just don't know what to say... A baby rattler is more deadly than an adult and I sure as hell would not be putting my fingers close to it's head.

Doug, Cool pics but, DAMN DUDE!!! :o
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: tlbradford on July 14, 2009, 11:33:10 PM: C'mon Shadow Cat, he pinned the head down and has watched every episode of the Crocodile Hunter, so he is more than qualified. The Croc Hunter has been aroud deadly animals forever and he is just fine. :rolleyes: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: mossback91 on July 14, 2009, 11:45:53 PM: Heck I wasnt the *censored* catching the thing I was the smart one clicking pics!!!
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: ivarhusa on July 15, 2009, 07:40:41 AM: You guys crack me up...(*censored*, Steve Irwin...) :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Timmybob on July 15, 2009, 02:35:47 PM: WOW man, those are some cool pix. I agree with the stated above. Big ones if not bitten..Stupidity if bitten.. Be careful out there..
By the way, how do those things taste?
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: Big Guy on July 15, 2009, 03:45:28 PM: Quote from: shanevg on July 13, 2009, 11:45:49 PM
You're crazy Doug.

Amen brother. You would never catch me anywhere near snake's especially just for some pic's. Forget about it.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: boneaddict on July 15, 2009, 03:57:35 PM: The little ones give me the willeys. LOL I pulled this big one out of a rock crevice once and about 30 of them little *censored*s came streaming out after her. I about :crap:

I wear my 12 inch mendhles. Sometimes I where snake chaps. I usually carry a potatoe fork for grabbing rocks and them and for an arm to steady myself. I usually us a single six 22mag, but couldn't find any bullets so borrowed a SW 22 from a friend. Mostly this time I just had my camera.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 15, 2009, 09:38:47 PM: I would have shot those buggers. Good wall hanging gear there.
Title: Re: Balls or Stupidity
Post by: MuleySniper on July 16, 2009, 12:48:49 PM: :yike:
Hope your life insurance agent isn't a member on this site!! :chuckle:
Nice pics!
MS