A professional photographer took a trip to Namibia to catch well-camouflaged snakes that solely reside in the sub-Saharan African nation.
Marisa Ishimatsu caught spectacular pictures of a Peringuey’s adder who are completely adjusted to conceal themselves in the soft sands of the Namibian desert.
“They sidewind effortlessly across the dune slopes and they bury themselves in soft sand at the base of bushes, both to ambush lizards and to protect themselves from predation,” Ishimatsu informs PetaPixel.
“Their eyes are on the top of their heads and their nostrils are reinforced and on the top of their nose so when they are completely buried, they can still see and breathe.”
Ishimatsu opted for a group from the United States who wished to discover all of the dwarf adder types that populate Namibia. There are 6 types of viper in the nation.
“Like my friend, most of my vacations are spent looking for snakes and other wildlife all over the world so searching for these animals in Namibia sounded like an excellent time,” she says.
The team employed Dayne Braine from The Naturalist Collection who assisted them discover the evasive snakes.
“With Dayne’s help and knowledge, we found all six of the species of viper so we accomplished exactly what we went there to do,” says Ishimatsu.
“From a photographic perspective, I don’t think I could ever capture everything I wanted to in Namibia, but I am incredibly proud of the shots I captured.”
The professional photographer utilized her Nikon D850 and a Nikkor 60mm prime to catch fantastic images of not simply the Peringuey’s adder, however other vipers too.
“The trip was incredible. Namibia is a beautiful country, and I found myself taking photos of everything — from the plants to the invertebrates to the snakes and the charismatic megafauna,” includes Ishimatsu.
Snake Photographers’ Duty
This previous weekend saw the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup where countless snakes are hunted and given the jamboree where they are killed.
Snakes have actually been demonized and damned for eternity, something that Ishismatsu wants to see modification.
“Snakes are an important part of our ecosystem, and yet they are often overlooked except for the dedicated few of us who love to photograph them,” she says.
“Snake photographers feel that it is our duty to show the beauty of these animals — to foster a sense of curiosity and respect and not fear — to ensure these animals are protected.”
Ishimatsu says that her social networks feeds are filled with terrific pictures of birds, flowers, and mammals — however not snakes. “It’s not hard to make these subjects beautiful and welcoming,” she includes.
More of Ishimatsu’s work can be discovered on her Flickr and Instagram. Or to purchase a print, head to her Etsy.
For nature, wildlife, and photography trips in Namibia then take a look at The Naturalist Collection. To assistance snakes, check out Save the Snakes.
Image credits: All pictures by Marisa Ishimatsu.
