Spectacled Cobra

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Spectacled Cobra Naja naja | Charmadi Ghat, Karnataka

This snake was found by the roadside at Charmadi in an agitated state. Not only did it spread its hood almost immediately, but it didn't hesitate to strike repeatedly, something a cobra wouldn't do unless provoked beyond a certain limit. It appeared to have been either harassed, or very recently released there by someone. Members of our survey team released it deeper into the forest away from the danger of vehicle traffic and unwanted attention on the open road.
This happened to be the first time I photographed a cobra in the wild. Although the pose looks photogenic and action-packed, I would honestly have preferred a happier first cobra!

Canon 500D, Canon 100mm Macro USM
SS 1/250
Av 5.6
ISO 800
EC -1.3
Minor crop to enhance the composition

Thanks, C&C welcome.

[Mrudul Godbole]

Quite a rare sighting. Great details. Good that you released it further inside the jungle, else there were more chances of it getting harmed or maybe even caught. The low angle enhances the image. Nicely captured. Thanks for sharing.

[Roopak Gangadharan]

nice sighting.hope it out of trouble. the way its bending backward hints intent to strike..

TFS
Roopak

[Paramvir Singh]

Yeah, poor fella. Definitely harassed.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I have seen many cobras during my childhood days inside my house compound wall. It is ready to strike ahead like a slingshot. They are pretty agile and one shouldn't mess around with them. After watching certain programs in Animal Planet a bunch of guys have started catching snakes to proclaim their manhood. It causes immense stress to them. So unless really required one shouldn't try to catch them.

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

Nice image. Owner of such wonderful expanded hood, the Naja naja, most likely was kept unfed in a box for quite sometime. It is a dignified snake, quite different from the Naja kautia of our region. Hence, I think, such change in behaviour. Thanks for sharing.SaktiWild

[Vipin Sharma]

Spectacled Cobra Naja naja are indeed in general very agile and almost ever ready to strike when disturbed.
Lovely details captured indeed here. TFS