This is a beautiful Eyelash Viper perched on a Heliconia flower. These snakes will often stake out these flowers, waiting patiently for an unsuspecting hummingbird to come in to feed on the flower’s nectar. It’s a fascinating example of how predators take advantage of the rhythms of the rainforest, using both colour and stillness to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.
The Eyelash Viper
Photographing a subject like the Eyelash Viper is always a mix of excitement and careful observation. The combination of the viper’s vibrant yellow scales and the red Heliconia creates an almost graphic, painterly contrast that immediately draws your eye. To emphasise that striking colour interaction, I had a friend hold up a black cloth behind the scene. This simple technique removes any distractions from the background and allows the viewer to focus purely on the form, texture, and attitude of the snake.
Highlighting Natural Beauty
Working with controlled backgrounds in the field is a great way to highlight the natural beauty of a subject while maintaining a clean, strong composition. In this case, the black backdrop helps celebrate the sculptural quality of the snake and flower, turning a moment in the rainforest into an almost studio-like portrait.
Good Luck and Good Light!
Steve
Image: Eyelash Viper, Costa Rica