Critique? Snake photos...

Just wondering what I can do to improve these images. It's not easy to tell what's right and what's wrong when reviewing the camera's tiny LCD. Instantly I see I need more depth of field. What else can I do to better them?

All creatures below photographed in the wild in their natural settings. Canon 40D with Sigma 180mm macro and 550EX.

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Personally, I would be proud of these images. But if you want to capture more of the snake, I guess just stop it down a bit.

And you lived to worry about dof? I'd be mighty proud of these shots. The king snake pic is too busy and you can't see the key features of the animal, but the rest are fabuloso.

You took these with a 180mm? Were you that close or just some heavy crops? (I would guess the first). I've had some close calls with rattlers and wouldn't want to get that close on purpose! Great set, very nice job!

Thanks guys for the responses!

Eric--Yep, 180mm. I was very close to the animals for these photos. I love herpetology (reptiles & amphibians) and venomous snakes are, by rule, very docile and not inclined to strike. I was at a safe distance in all the photos, although any distance is safe for the second and fourth shots (nonvenomous).

Nice shots... I think you have great dof on these. As someone else suggested the King Snake shot is a little busy, but perhaps a tighter crop on that shot might work better. Funny story... Last weekend my wife and I were walking on a path along the Niagara river. An older couple (~65?) were leisurely walking towards us and were about 15 meters away. Suddenly, the woman gave a high pitched squeak, stopped, turned around and just took off at her most rapid pace. We caught up to her husband in time to see a small garter snake hurrying off the path. The lady didn't stop until she reached her car in the parking lot... I think it's fair to say she would never have taken these shots!
Thanks for sharing

Excellent images...well done!

Personally, I like the DOF. I have only shot a couple of snakes but the more DOF you bring into the picture the busier the picture gets with all the back ground. Even with the king, it may not have been possible but trying to get his head up away from the rest of the body would have allowed the details to pop on the face. If you would have asked him nicely I would be proud of every shot you have posted. I like them. Rick

Nice job. We have very few snakes where I live, so it is nice to see them here.

where did you find the timber at?

All photographed in the southern portion of Illinois.

The single best thing that I ever did was to stop relying on the LCD and learn how to read a histogram.

If these are with a 180 I think you were to close. I hope you had snake boots, chain mail gloves, and a snake bite kit.

cool....he is a nice juvy!