Wildlife, landscape and weather photography
A capture from back in May. I was walking around a local pond, taking pictures of some birds when I notice movement right next to my foot. Usually not a good sign! Thankfully though, this time it was only a little garter snake and it did hang around long enough for me to get a few pics.
One of those times when you really need to be watching where you are walking.
Out along the South Platte River this past Sunday, I am walking along the river’s edge, watching for wildlife at eye level and above when something closer to the ground appears. As I put my foot down, something out of the corner of my eye gets my attention and looking down I see this handsome bullsnake six inches from my foot.
I was a bit startled but looking at its eyes, I was reassured that it wasn’t its far more dangerous cousin, the rattlesnake. It was quite patient with me as I moved around, getting pics of it from its spot in the grass.
It was a pretty big one, I am guessing it would have been about four feet long stretched out. Perhaps I need to pay a bit more attention to where I step. 😉
Well, I may be pushing 50 but I moved like my 17 year old son yesterday afternoon.
I am sitting observing a local Bald Eagle nest in an area pretty heavily covered in brush. Suddenly I notice movement right behind me and as I turn, not six inches away, is a good sized snake moving right at me.
It hisses, I said some adult-only words, and leapt to my feet, jumping away. In the process I stumble, fall forward to the ground and again, utter a few choice words. I’m a sailor so I am allowed to cuss, besides, I think I injured my ribs.
Anyway, on the plus side, I did get some good pics of the bullsnake. Good sized one too. Bet it would have been 6+ feet long stretched out. I can laugh now but the danged thing scared the you-know-what out of me. 😉
My camera survived fine as I don’t think it hit the ground, or if it did, it didn’t hit hard. My ribs, well, those will take a while to heal. It was definitely uncomfortable sleeping last night.
As for the eagle nest, I am happy to report there is at least one little one in there – click here to see.
Normally by this time of year, snakes in Colorado would not be easily spotted as they would instead choose to stay underground where it is warmer. However, with the unseasonably warm weather we have been having here, many are still quite active.
This particular rattler was one of six that was crossing a road in the foothills southwest of Denver on Monday. While the others quickly moved into their burrow under some rocks, this one instead chose to show off. As recreationists made their way by on foot and bike, it coiled up, hissed and of course rattled its tail to sound a warning to any that would get too close. I of course kept my distance. 😉
Western Rattlesnakes, also known as Prairie Rattlesnakes, average three feet in length which is about how long this one was.
If you’re on foot or riding your bike and you come across one of these, you better give a wide birth. This rattlesnake was sunning itself on the road going up Waterton Canyon and if it weren’t for another shutterbug pointing it out, I may very well have rode right over or by it. As is, it made for a nice photo op of this deadly creature.
It was only about 4 feet long and as you can tell in the background, had a pretty good size rattle on it. Thankfully it was quite calm although I certainly kept my distance and didn’t give it any reason to get mad. 😉 I do wish it had coiled up though as that would have made for a better picture.
I have no idea why this snake was trying to cross a busy road in Longmont, Colorado recently. However, when I spotted it, it was only about halfway across and vehicle traffic was likely going to bring about its demise.
I made a hasty U-turn and since I am “adverse” to reptiles, my friend ran out into the road, picked up the snake and moved it to safety. We of course took the opportunity to take a few pictures before releasing it safely in an adjacent field.
It is a good thing my buddy was there as there is no way I would have grabbed it like he did. I did hold on to its tail briefly so my friend could get his pictures of it but I was not pleased. ;-)?
