Prairie Rattler

[Jim B]

I went for a hike today.Our bear season is in.This little guy accosted me in the road.He had quite an attitude.He was probably about 30".I found another a few feet away,probably a 3 footer.The day before yesterday it snowed here.

[Evelyn Billington (Superpig)]

Pretty little snake. I bet they are on their way to their winter dens now and you just happened to be in their way...literally. This one will make a nice reference photo.

[Kerby Ross]

Jim, that is why I go looking for snakes!

Cool shot!



Kerby...

[Jim B]

Evelyn,you are right.It's about that time.We just had about 3 days of winter like weather,which is common for us here in Sept.We'll still get some warm days but night temperatures can be in the 30's and 40's.On the one side of the road is a south facing slope covered with rock ledges and on the other side,yards from where this guy was is a small mountain stream that runs all summer.I'm thinking the den may be further up the hill and these guys might be stragglers on the outskirts.I poked around some but only found the two.

[catman]

I bet if you crawl around there the first warm days of spring the hill will come alive ,if you know what I mean.

[Sawtooth Taxidermy, Todd]

Hey Jim,  When they stand up like that they can't strike, So get a little closer with the camera and get us a good shot of the pupils. I want to see if they are perpendicular to the ground when they're like that.  LOL   Then just reach behind him and gently pick him up. If you can stroke his belly it will calm him down.   Come on Jim...The Crocodile Hunter would've done it.    If you can't find the heart to take that big ole bear you've got running your woods, remember to give me a call.

[Jim B]

Todd,I actually was within 12" of that one,with my little pocket Nikon.The camera isn't much bigger than a pack of cigarettes and I was trying to keep my fingers behind it in case he did strike it.That's about as far as I could push it.As far as the big bear,I have the heart,I'm just not sure if I have the knowhow.i can't figure out how to have the camera trigger the gun!

[Sawtooth Taxidermy, Todd]

Jim, I know what you mean about ntrying to protect your digits incase he strikes.  The last time I saw one stand like that I was reaching into an overhang to grab a snake skin for my stepson. Laying on my belly.  I didn't see that the snake was coiled up at the enterance of the little cave. No warning , no nothing.  The next thing I know , he's up like that, buzzing like crazy and he's so close to my face I can't get my eyes focused on him.  Man... I've never been so still in my life.  That was one of those situations when you are wondering   Who the hell is beating that drum behind you. I know the snake could feel my heart beat through the ground.     You need an assecories rail on that 6 gun.  Mount the camera to the rail, wire a laser light system to the internals of the camera and wah la.  Aim, push the laser light button for the picture then squeeze the trigger.  Done deal.  Figure out how to make it work, get the patent, send me half of the millions you make.  LOL

                                                           Later, Todd

[Jim B]

Todd,it sounds like you were the Crocodile Hunter for awhile there.That's pretty close.I understand the concept of rigging the gun up to the camera's sensor,but is there a way that I can get an email notice when it goes off?I hate to make dry runs.

[AfterLifeTaxidermy]

Jim, thanks for the reference pic. Chris