A recent encounter with a snake at Gas Bay south of Margaret River had local photographer Terri Sharpe fearing for the life of her adorable chocolate labrador, Ruby.
“We didn’t see the snake, find a bite mark or even know there had been an encounter at the time,” Ms Sharpe said of the incident.
“It was about 30 minutes after arriving home that Ruby started to exhibit signs of distress.”
Ms Sharpe rushed her beloved pet to Margaret River Veterinary Hospital, where the animal was swiftly seen to by staff.
“Two vials of antivenom later and she came back to us, but it really was touch and go there for a while.”
Mr Sharpe, a long time local surf and coastline photographer, said the experience had given her a stark reminder of the dangers of the South West coast.
Her photographs currently adorn the walls of the main street Brumby’s Bakery and as owner of Surfing Margaret River, she has seen firsthand some of the risks on and offshore.
“I’m obviously very happy Ruby dog is now safe and well, but it shows another risk that beachgoers can encounter,” she said.
“I guess it’s all about taking calculated risks, both in and out of the water.
“We’ll still let Ruby off-lead, she’ll still be free to roam as she wants, but we’ll definitely be more cautious over the first few months of warmer weather when snakes do become more active.”
It is the remoteness and rawness of the region, including the possibility of dangers that can be encountered both in and out of the water, that make Capes region so spectacular – the very elements Ms Sharpe aims to capture within her photographs.
The collection at Brumby’s cover a range of locales within the region, with dramatic surf and stunning coastal formations lining the walls of the busy store.
“The images represent a truly unique piece of Margaret River that reflects the beauty, wildness and sometimes dangerous landscapes of this spectacular region.”
Ten photographs will feature in the collection with numbers for sale strictly limited.
