I think he was asleep because I left to go to the house to get my youngest son and he didn't move, except to get into position for striking. The next photo shows him aiming straight at me. No, I wasn't that close! I used the ZOOM!!
If you are having trouble figuring out what is what, his head has several long white stripes underneath and it's just to the right of the tail.
This may be the best head shot, dead center, but it's still hard to see with the hay bits all around. But you can't miss that tail!!
My son used the apple picker, manure rake, to pick him up and put him in the bucket. I missed the shot because I had turned off the camera and when I finally took the picture, he had already got him in the bucket. The snake was right up against the metal siding, under the hay which I had moved away, when I first saw him.
And right after he put the snake in the bucket, my son closed the lid of the bucket.
We debated what to do about the snake. We called the Rattlesnake Museum and Animal Control but there was no answer at either place. Finally, I told my son to take him across the highway and let him loose in the big field, away from houses, cattle, and pets. Hopefully, he will be happy and stay put. At least, there's a highway between us. ;P After my son turned him loose, one of the girls at my work asked why we didn't eat him. Well, I wasn't going to kill it! I told her she should have let me know and I could have brought it to her. He hee.
The Snake and I, a Venom High - song: Width of a Circle, artist: David Bowie, album: The Man Who Sold the World
17 comments:
you and your son are very blave! I would still be running! and anyone who knows me knows I dont like to run!
Holy cow!!! I think I'd probably.. no I know I would SCREAM running away.
Oh I'm so glad you didn't kill it! Your son did a great job relocating it. That's exactly what we do, and it works. I doubt you'll see him again. However, it surely would have scared the crap out of me, under the hay like that. Glad he didn't get you!
1. you have one brave son.
2. you get cuddos for taking a great pic, I love snakey shots.:-)
I tried to save a diamondback rattlesnake out on the road (he was crossing when I went by), but by the time I parked in a turnout and RAN back to where he was, two cars ran over him. I found a long stick and gently removed him from the road, but he was already dying...I waved them to go around, and one took aim right at it and SQUISH...got it..I was so ANGRY!!! It didn't act aggressively toward me at all and they are one of the most deadly rattlesnakes in the West, I found out later! By the time I returned from doing horse stuff, he was DEAD, DEAD, DEAD...
P.S. I hear 'ya about the venom high...I am deathly afraid of snakes, but was calm with this one...go figure!
Eeeek! That's right where my tent was set up when we were waiting for Yalla! to be born! {:-Q
I bet he's been happily dining on barn swallow babies and mice.
I'm so relieved he wasn't in my barn. I think I would have fainted!....but now I'm going to be extra aware of dangerous critters while working in and around my barn.
Thanks for taking him across the road. Hopefully he'll be happier there.
~Lisa
Oh my goodness!! I would not have been able to handle that at.all!!! I have an intense fear of snakes and I don't want to even think about that thing being there!
My sister just sent me a picture text yesterday of a rubber boa snake that was at the ranch. I have never seen one of those before, nor heard of one. They aren't poisonous, but I go to that ranch every year!! I am scared already!!
Scary! Are rattlesnakes endangered? Growing up my parents always killed poisonous snakes I guess so us kids wouldn't get bit. The kind we have aren't endangered though.
It is hard to tell what is what at first, but great job with the pictures! I'm glad you were able to safely move him across the highway.
{{{{{Shuddering}}}}}}
OMG! Snakes! Aaaarrgh!
Just keep him on your side of the mountain. We've only seen two snakes in the seven years we've lived in this house - a garter snake and a bullwhip snake which a rabbit killed.
Dan
He was sure purty! I have never seen one with the stripes on the face like tht! Kudos for keeping your head and relocating it!
I am soooo glad we dont have rattlesnakes where we are!!!! Garter and grass snakes but nothing bigger or venomous!!!
you better wear goggles now, so it doesn't spit into your eyes. I was told the spit will make you blind.
I'd have been running for the hills if I saw (or heard) this. You're all very brave.
Glad there were no mishaps. With the hot weather animals are looking for any cool spot to rest.
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