Very very lucky indeed, Peggy. I considered taking it home, but then my partner suggested that other hikers would also enjoy seeing it on the trail. She’s wise that way.
There are not many people who use this trail, which makes it very pleasurable to walk. The only folks I’ve seen up there are real hiker & bird watcher types. So I think these are the very people who’d enjoy it.
I’ve seen one or two discarded snake skins on hikes, but snakes creep me out so much that I usually rush past pictures of them… used to be in books, now I have to do the same online!
Okay, so you just peeked at these pictures with one eye closed, and the other eye just open for a second or two!!!
No more pictures of snakes are in the pipeline. 😉
I studied & took a couple of pictures of the back end, and it doesn’t look like there was any room for a rattle. So I think not. But just to be safe, I went to the garage and pulled my stomper hiking boots from my camping supplies.
I don’t recall whether I posted a picture of another snake we came across (a live one) — it was pink & yellow. I took a picture on my phone, and looked it up. It was a boa. Can’t remember what kind of boa (like that dogwood flower!!!) but I do recall that it’s not dangerous.
FYI… keep the stomper boots handy. Rattlesnakes don’t shed their rattles. They add rattles each time they shed their skin. Stomp hard when you’re hiking in their territory!
Yikes! Thanks Gunta (and Eric too I think). I do wear a little bell and I carry a small canister of pepper spray. I will be stomping next time I’m out.
I lived in rattler country long enough to be aware (& yes, Eric confirms my thoughts). They’re generally not aggressive, but don’t like being surprised. So some stomping is in order, but mostly don’t reach for a rock or a hunk of wood with your hands. I would be more concerned about the dogs. They aren’t always aware of the danger and far more apt to get a lethal dose.
Oh, I’d forgotten about you living in Utah. Of course you’d know about rattler encounters.
Thank you for the very good advice. Yes, we’re going to have to keep a tighter leash on the dogs.
Actually, I don’t think the rattle sheds, come to think of it. You can tell the age of a rattler by the number of segments in its rattle. What I would worry about is its striking distance – three feet is a lot! You know to freeze when you hear that sound, but Rufus and Frieda? I dunno!
Rufus & Frieda will be on shorter leashes, for sure. I think, though, that they won’t feel cheated as long as they get to go. They fancy themselves Forest Dogs. All they need is a chauffeur.
Wow ! That was a big, very big snake ! Scary !
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Yes it sure does look big enough that I would run screaming down the mountain if it wasn’t just an old overcoat I found!
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Wow, lucky find.
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Very very lucky indeed, Peggy. I considered taking it home, but then my partner suggested that other hikers would also enjoy seeing it on the trail. She’s wise that way.
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Great decision. I wonder how many other people stopped to admire this wonderful slice of nature.
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There are not many people who use this trail, which makes it very pleasurable to walk. The only folks I’ve seen up there are real hiker & bird watcher types. So I think these are the very people who’d enjoy it.
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Que dire Wow 💕
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Oui, nous avons été très chanceux alors voir. Je ne l’ai jamais vu un juste traîner dans la nature.
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I’ve seen one or two discarded snake skins on hikes, but snakes creep me out so much that I usually rush past pictures of them… used to be in books, now I have to do the same online!
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Okay, so you just peeked at these pictures with one eye closed, and the other eye just open for a second or two!!!
No more pictures of snakes are in the pipeline. 😉
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Yikes! Did it have a rattle? Is it a rattlesnake? I don’t think I would like to see the owner of that skin!
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I studied & took a couple of pictures of the back end, and it doesn’t look like there was any room for a rattle. So I think not. But just to be safe, I went to the garage and pulled my stomper hiking boots from my camping supplies.
I don’t recall whether I posted a picture of another snake we came across (a live one) — it was pink & yellow. I took a picture on my phone, and looked it up. It was a boa. Can’t remember what kind of boa (like that dogwood flower!!!) but I do recall that it’s not dangerous.
LikeLike
FYI… keep the stomper boots handy. Rattlesnakes don’t shed their rattles. They add rattles each time they shed their skin. Stomp hard when you’re hiking in their territory!
LikeLike
Yikes! Thanks Gunta (and Eric too I think). I do wear a little bell and I carry a small canister of pepper spray. I will be stomping next time I’m out.
LikeLike
I lived in rattler country long enough to be aware (& yes, Eric confirms my thoughts). They’re generally not aggressive, but don’t like being surprised. So some stomping is in order, but mostly don’t reach for a rock or a hunk of wood with your hands. I would be more concerned about the dogs. They aren’t always aware of the danger and far more apt to get a lethal dose.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’d forgotten about you living in Utah. Of course you’d know about rattler encounters.
Thank you for the very good advice. Yes, we’re going to have to keep a tighter leash on the dogs.
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Actually, I don’t think the rattle sheds, come to think of it. You can tell the age of a rattler by the number of segments in its rattle. What I would worry about is its striking distance – three feet is a lot! You know to freeze when you hear that sound, but Rufus and Frieda? I dunno!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rufus & Frieda will be on shorter leashes, for sure. I think, though, that they won’t feel cheated as long as they get to go. They fancy themselves Forest Dogs. All they need is a chauffeur.
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😀
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It’s actually really fascinating to see in person. Also, I think it was a good thing to leave it for others to see 🙂
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I’m glad we left it too.
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Quite extraordinary. And very cool photographs.
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Something I don’t see often, and I am glad for that.
Thank you Otto.
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Very cool series of photos ~ wonderful.
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