Water Snake Draped Over Limb In Water

I photographed this Water Snake draped over a limb in the water while at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Water snakes are reptiles and, like all reptiles, they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. By draping themselves over limbs in the sun, they are able to absorb the heat they need to stay active and healthy. This behavior is known as basking, and is common among many species of reptiles.

In addition to regulating their temperature, draping themselves over limbs also provides water snakes with a better view of their surroundings. This helps them to detect potential predators, as well as prey, more easily. The limb also offers a stable perch that allows the snake to rest and conserve energy.

Finally, the coloration of water snakes often helps them to blend in with their surroundings. By draping themselves over limbs, they can use their coloring to blend in with the brown or gray of the limb and become more difficult to see. This provides an additional level of camouflage and protection from predators.

In summary, water snakes drape themselves over limbs in the water for thermoregulation, to have a better view of their surroundings, to conserve energy and for better camouflage.

Water Snake Draped Over Limb
Watersnake Draped Over Limb

I spotted this Watersnake while walking the Sandtown [Read More…]

2023-02-05T15:20:29-06:00August 10, 2020|Categories: Snakes|Tags: , , , , |Comments Off on Water Snake Draped Over Limb In Water

Groundhog On A Cottonwood Log

I almost passed by this Groundhog while driving the auto tour road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I got a glimpse of a tail and that made me stop. This is the first Groundhog that I have photographed at this refuge.

Groundhog On A Log
Groundhog On A Log

As soon as I spotted an animal tail near a downed Cottonwood tree, I stopped and waited. The Groundhog soon appeared to check for danger. I had my camera and lens resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.

Technical:

• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
• Date Taken: July 19, 2020
• Aperture: f5.6
• Shutter speed: 1/125 sec.
• ISO: 800
• Exposure Bias: +0.67 EV
• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
• Focal Length: 360 mm
• Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM (attached with a Fringer EF-FX Pro)
• Camera: Fujifilm X-T3

Here is a photo I took of another Groundhog here in Arkansas that I posted on Groundhog Day: Groundhog Day 2020

2023-02-02T06:31:18-06:00July 23, 2020|Categories: Groundhog|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Groundhog On A Cottonwood Log
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