Warning | Snake season has started early

then rode there today & yes have already got me snake eyes & ears tuned up as you can feel summer in the air-at least it was only a Red Bellied Black snake not a Brown!!!!

only a Blackie a couple of years ago at Glenrock in the middle of the day one winters Sunday!!!, I hopped off my bike to go back & when my front tyre brushed some long brown grass I startled him & he started me-we took off in different directions QUICK!!!

Phil, is this the pic you took because it looks pretty good.

Agreed, that's a great picture Phil, nice composition. SLR I presume with that depth of field?

Hi - I saw one on the GNR this weekend too - just hanging out, looking at me, then slipping off into the bush.

I thought a King Brown was just a very big brown snake? I am a Pom tho so that's my excuse. lol

tubbsy, my thoughts exactly and hence i asked originally if he took the photo. I'm assuming its a previous photo taken but hey, maybe I'm wrong.

Although I would love to do some MTB photography, I always end up being on the fun side of the camera. But the thought of taking out the camera and shooting some stills or footage does appeal. The photo above was taken on a separate occasion, sorry to disappoint you all.

I love a bit of photography and would be extremely pleased if I managed a shot like that. The colours and the depth of field make the photo kind of mesmerising, well done.

Na a King Brown is a type of snake. Despite normally being brown in colour it's part of the black snake family (so needs black snake anti venom) and more properly called a Mulga.

When you see a big brown snake it just sounds cooler to say you saw a King brown

Eastern browns grow 1.5 to 2 meters long, though some reports of longer ones, and are more slender than a Mulga.

Mulga's are a big snake and the produce a shit load of venom but they live in less popular areas and being big and confident are less likely to strike out willy nilly.

Easterns are slender, fast and a little nervous. Their venom generally rates as 2nd or 3rd toxic on the LD50 charts and being as they live in most populated areas they are responsible for more bites.

As with any snake they will only lash out when they are started or feel there is no other option, however they are more likely to stand their ground and not shy away.

http://youtu.be/nM9vDIkQ41E

http://youtu.be/-WP_RzKLYEs

Broke into a sweat watching that idiot handle the eastern brown. I've had 2 encounters with them while riding. The first tagged my shin but luckily no venom which apparently is common with defensive bites. The second was in lane cove np. It stood up so it's head was the height of my seat then hissed and puffed it's neck like a cobra. What really scares me is having seen how quickly they move from calmly slithering along to standing up and striking out I realise there is no way you would avoid being bitten if you are in range. They don't try to get away like most snakes. They will always defend their turf.

Just like wine, I don't know much about photography, but I know what I like. Great pic of the Red Belly.

We came across this beauty back in mid may just above the 19th hole.

Flynny, unless I'm very much mistaken it's a Diamond Python, is it not?

It was about 2m long and thick as my forearm. I put the bottle there for (wait for it...) scale. *boom-tish*

Everyone should carry a compression bandage in their camel pack before trying to get their DSLR. It may save your life or someone else's. For me it is more likely to be someone else, cause I usually get behind a few people riding on hot summer days so they can clear the track of spiders and snakes.
Seriously though they scare the bejesus out of me and the thought of one coming up to the level of my seat post sends shivers down my spine. That snake handler must have a screw loose.

First rider scares the snake.

Second rider pisses it off

third or forth feels it's wrath....

or something