Friday, August 20, 2010

Just Me and a Python


Here's a shot of Yours Truly holding a Python. It was taken back in June of this year after I came out of Gyokusendo Cave.

Down in the caves it was nice and cool but, when I got back above ground it was kind of hot and steamy, even rained a little. So, the tourist traps where you could go indoors and suck up free air conditioning, once you paid the six or eight bucks to see the snake show, sounded like a plan to me.

Back in the old days when you went in the Snake House here, they used to have a real show. They'd turn a snake and a mongoose loose in a cage together. And there would be a fight. One of them would come out of the cage dead.

Times have changed. Now natural enemies are only allowed to do that stuff out in nature. So, the critters get to spend a long time behind bars and get to come out for tourists to poke, pet and take pictures. What's up with that?

9 comments:

janee said...

o u are courageous undoubtedly but for me it is really scary.

RyukyuMike said...

Not really corageous, just wanted to get my money's worth!

www.solofemaletraveler.com said...

That is a good point. The snake and the mongoose aren't allowed to kill each other, but people are allowed to poke and prod the snake and probably scare it nearly to death. Are we not the enemy too?

At any rate, I'm glad you got to hold a snake. Although you've probably held them before. And that is a really good photo! Did you take it? (ha-ha-ha)

Angry Redhead said...

Beauty!

RyukyuMike said...

Sabina,
Yup, I took the photo. Set my tripod up and manually tweaked everything. Then used my sidekick Doc to push the button on a cable release I had set up. That way he just waited for the snake's eye to be visible and CLICK, the photo was done!

Angry Redhead,
Thanks. I'd rather tangle with a snake than an angry redhead. LOL !

Unknown said...

Nice shot Mike. No snakes in my future thank you very much.

I noticed your ad for the online photography classes. Do you recommend them?

RyukyuMike said...

LadyE,
Thank you. Yes, Better Photo has all working professional photographers teaching their classes. If you've ever seen Outdoor Photographer Magazine you may have noticed the names of some of their instructors who work there. I can't think of a better place to recommend at the moment.

Unknown said...

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the endorsement. Several of their classes look interesting. I might indulge!

RyukyuMike said...

LadyE,
Have a peek at their BetterPholio Portfolios as well. That's where I got started. Conteste, Forums and camera reviews are just awesome.

Cheers,
Mike