Friday, April 6, 2012

Snapshot Saturday::Snakes in the Desert edition

Snapshot Saturday is hosted by Alyce of At Home with Books.

Monday I was surveying out in Lancaster for work. In the late morning, when the soil started warming up, I had to quick step away from a hole in the ground where a small green snake was sitting taking in the sun. I wasn't going to check to see what kind of snake it was, because if it was a rattler, the young ones are probably more dangerous than the adults.

So a transect and a half later, I was walking down to start the next one and spot a different bit of green in front of me. That fella up there ^ (just right of center- and this picture has been fiddled with so it stands out more). When the other three caught up with me, he started feeling threatened and entered the defensive position you see there.

That was the last snake I saw luckily, but it cut into my audiobook time.

30 comments:

Cipriano said...

Yikes! I would have vamoosed in even less than a transect!
I know they have a right to be there, but wow, do I ever dislike snakes, and all things snaky!

Sarah Williams said...

Oh yes. After seeing the big guy, for a while I think we spent as much or more time look for snakes than the artifacts we were supposed to be looking for. I'm not a fan of anything with venom, be it snake, bee or spider.

Margaret @ Booksplease said...

That was scary! Snakes are OK behind glass, not in real life!

Tea said...

Wow, talk about an adventure. I wouldn't know what to do....I guess you did the best thing. You hopped on through it. Never know what you'll see while walking in such an empty space.

Diane@Bibliophilebythesea said...

Ok, if that happened to me, I'd be a little freaked out...LOL

Trish B said...

Yikes! I bet that made your heart race. Audiobook interruption is annoying, isn't it?!

Kay said...

Not a fan of snakes at all! I know they must serve their purpose, but not in my path, please. LOL

Louise said...

i'm not a snake fan either glad it wasn't closer.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Ooh, what an interesting job you have! And that's a great photo op....but it's good to stand back, isn't it?

Thanks for sharing.

Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT

Eugenia O'Neal said...

I don't actually mind snakes once they're not in the house. A couple years ago, I went into the bathroom and one slithered under the scale. There was no one else around to handle it but the day before I'd watched a news item from St. Thomas where Animal Control had collected a python (I think it was) using a device like a wire noose. Since my snake was much, much smaller - about a finger width and maybe 15 or so inches - I figured I could do what the Control person had done so I fashioned a similar looking contraption from a wire hanger. I was feeling quite self-satisfied about it - this sister was doing it for herself and what a story I would have to tell! I could already hear all the compliments on my bravery and resourcefulness all of which, of course, I would accept with suitable modesty.

The object was to get the head through the noose and then flip it so I could get it outside. It had looked easy on the tv, it really had.

Well, that little snake didn't take kindly to me shoving this thing at it and, on my third or fourth attempt, it reared at me. Our snakes aren't poisonous but clearly I had been right not to pursue a career in Animal Control. I conceded the ground and beat a hasty retreat, closing the bathroom door behind me until reinforcements could arrive. lol!

Now, when one gets in - it doesn't happen that often - I call for reinforcements and skip the jousting middle part,

Lisa Hura said...

That's pretty amazing camouflage! Great picture!

Eva Mostraum said...

I'm glad we don't have rattlers around here.
The only kind of venomous snake we have is the common European viper, and they are rarely fatal.
I can see that you couldn't really concentrate on you audio book while keeping an eye out for rattlers.

Sheila (Book Journey) said...

OOH! We dont have a lot of snakes around here... in fact I can not remember the last time I have seen one. The ones I remember growing up here are garden snakes....

Gautami Tripathy said...

The snake is totally hidden by the soil and grass!

Here is my Saturday Snapshot post!

Susan said...

'I don't like spiders and snakes!' ... as the song goes. I'd have been flying low toward the car ...you brave soul, you!

Alyce Reese said...

That would have freaked me out! I'm glad you thought to take a photo so we can see it.

Sarah Williams said...

Luckily it was a cooler day, so there weren't many out. Apparently when the crew was in the area a couple weeks ago they saw many more.

Sarah Williams said...

The venomous ones definitely. Others are ok for me, but be nice if there was an easier to tell the difference.

Sarah Williams said...

I was, a few more steps and I'd have been right in front of him

Sarah Williams said...

Yes. Same goes for spiders

Sarah Williams said...

Oh yes, but at least the Overdrive ones on the Ipod don't disable themselves like the ebooks do on readers.

Sarah Williams said...

I'm glad I have good periphery vision, because I had been looking at my GPS just before hand. That would have made for a crappy day.

Sarah Williams said...

Most definitely. I just wish I had my better camera with me.

Sarah Williams said...

I don't mind the non-venomous types. My brother had a pet gopher snake when we were little (never bigger than a pencil width) and it used to get out of it's tank all the time. But he was harmless.

Sarah Williams said...

Yes he was! And he didn't start rattling until the rest of the group came up, either.

Sarah Williams said...

I'm not sure how potent the venom is on these are, but when we're working out a way from town, wouldn't want to find out.

Sarah Williams said...

My dad says that someone who works at the Kelso Depot told him that its rare to see the Mojave Greens

Sarah Williams said...

Unfortunately, we don't get that option when there are just a few

Sarah Williams said...

We are supposed to have them near our house, but we don't really see them. Sort of like the mountain lion. Others have, just not us.

Patty said...

He looks mildly scary!!