Bamboo Pit Viper

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

A very small Bamboo Pit Viper (Trimeresurus gramineus), from near the main taxi stand in Matheran. For the first time ever, we were on the verge of ending a Matheran trip without seeing any pit vipers. Then, just as we were catching a taxi to return, we spotted this guy on a roadside shrub. :)

Canon 760D, Canon 100mm Macro USM
SS 1/250
Av 7.1
ISO 1600
Minor crop for composition
Hand held on Live View
There is some shake in the image, as I was shooting from an unstable position, holding the camera with my arms stretched out. However, I did not want to push the ISO further, and was already on a wide aperture setting.
A contrast boost or deepening of the blacks can make the image look sharper; however, I have not applied any of it here.

Comments & critique welcome.

[Mrudul Godbole]

Lovely sighting. It is so well camouflaged with the leaves, it would be very difficult to spot. Nice eye contact. Slight noise in the background. Nicely captured. Thanks for sharing.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

A nice perch. I would have loved this to be in high depth of field. It is not easy though. The eye looks like a fruit. I like the camouflage. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

Wonderful. Vertical pupil, nostril and thermo-receptor all are clear. Thanks for sharing. SaktiWild