"Maybe I'm Too Close"

Indian Cobra, Naja naja, this photo was taken at a Reptile dealer's store in South Florida.
When I ask hime if I could photograph some of his animals he said sure and promptly
removed a six foot cobra from it's cage and dropped it on the lawn outside his shop. The snake quickly assumed the standard cobra pose which you can see in this photo. I got on my belly about three feet in front of the cobra and started taking photos. The dealer stood by with his snake hook just in case! It was a good cobra, it cooperated like most cobras do.

Today I'm 86, slower reflexes, and maybe a little smarter. I wouldn't try that stunt now!

Nikon f4, Nikon 100mm f/2.8 macro, Kodachrome, 1987.