SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I've taken you here before in the recent past and here we are again, though I probably won't return for a while. Sometimes even I tire of the same gorgeous spots. Besides, I wanted to move my trail camera, which took over an hour to reach, turning the outing into a fairly intensive hike with only the creek bed for a trail. As usual there was no creek, just little pools scattered throughout the bedrock.

The snake is a small Blacktailed rattlesnake, the second one I've seen in four days (the other one was quite large, easily twice the size of this one, but I only have phone pics which I can share if anyone's interested--that snake was a beauty). Though I was a dozen feet away and likely would not have seen it as I passed, it rattled to let me know it was there, setting itself up for a five-minute photo session. This kind of rattler really doesn't care to be confronted and retreats readily. This one couldn't even be bothered to keep rattling for five seconds while I shot some videos, though in these photos the rattle is blurred, proof that it DID warn me. The heat-sensing "pit" which makes it a pit viper is easily seen below and in front of the eye.

For those of you interested in trail cam results, I got 456 videos mostly caused by one pesky moving branch which intruded into the right side of the frame, barely, but enough to trigger the camera. There was also a splendid rainstorm with the sun shining, in true NM style. Animal-wise, the leading role was given to a fox who kept running past, always with some new creature in its jaws. There was also a pair of coyotes; the male was running on three legs, favoring his right rear. He looked like old Ted gimping along.

Anyway, hope these give you a smile.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks for checking in.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Great photos. Mahalo for sharing.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Very nice photos!!! Thanks for the warning about the snake and I do hope that was a VERY long lens you were using to capture Mr Rattlesnake.

I love #3!!! What gorgeous color!!!

Looking forward to more of your adventures.

Dodie

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Your images did give me a big smile.Thanks
Stan

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

erl Loc: Carolina Shores,NC

Excellent pics glad you had the opportunity to see that snake.

Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

Great set, well captured! I hate snakes but loved the set!! Loved the detail you brought out in the rattler's scales/skin!
Yes, while I hate them, I admit a sick curiosity in studying them.
Rob

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Great set. I hate snakes.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thank you for looking at them.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

#3, if I've got the right one in mind, is a Motherwort flower. I took it to dispel a friend's pessimistic prediction that there would be none this year after so much drought, and it turned out to be a pretty decent photo.

Yes, I was using the longest lens available to me on this hike--all of 70mm! And I was crouched down to get the photos. Of course they were cropped, but I'm sure I was closer than you would like. I would never take such a chance with, say, a Western diamondback. I'm sure that eases your mind.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Good! Thanks for telling me.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thank you.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Yes, me too. I've seen quite a few of those Blacktails and have come to know their habits fairly well. All they want to do is back away and escape.