Narrow trail and he was right on the edge, partially hidden by some brush. My foot came down within an inch of him. He backed off, rattled me a warning and let me pass. No I didn't take his picture, I moved away and thanked him for not killing me. He was about the length of my leg.
Temps in the 90s today. I usually like to rest on the ridge and absorb the views, but the sun was lethal up there.
I'd take notice of the rattlesnake as him giving you passage for respecting him. I think we need to learn to be with nature, as a species of nature, just like that rattlesnake who gave you pass. Thank you for the reminder and story. Beautiful pictures, I'm in awe.
I’d love to visit places that have no venomous snakes and be able to hike without staring down at the trail all the time. It’s too risky for me, I’ve run across copperheads walking on a path around woods and have seen rattlesnakes and water moccasins. The woods were thick with copperheads east of the city and they still might be, there are small ground rattlers all around the lake shores, if you fish you have to look down first before stepping around the shores.
I know temperatures were brutal with the heat index and since I’m tied up with a contractor the pictures are greatly appreciated! Perhaps the rattle was a “thanks” for not stepping on me?
@DeWayfarer supposedly we have Black Widows here, but I've never seen one. I've seen a Brown Recluse before though, at work (Tombstone pizza) a couple years back. I wish I'd been able to take a picture of it, but no cellies on the production floor.
@meggie they really don't want to mess with people and usually won't bite unless they feel threatened. My foot coming down an inch from him could have been seen as a threat so it was a tense few seconds for me.
