This is the diamondback I mentioned in yesterday's post. She was laying like this when Doug and I came walking from the opposite direction, so she was nicely concealed behind the stick and pine cone.
I imagine it was Doug's habit of always scanning the ground for beetles that kept us from walking right up on it. He spotted it and yelled, "Snake!"
My heart stopped when I saw it, not because it was a rattler, that's expected where we were, and we were out of range, but Bear had just walked past it ahead of us.
He had probably passed within a foot or two of the snake's head a moment before. My Doggy Daddy guilt kicked in full speed at that point. While he still had his leash on, I had dropped my end of it and was letting him walk about ten feet in front of us as we talked.
It was about 1:30 pm and the day had warmed considerably after a cool night and morning so the snake was very lethargic, which is probably why Bear did not notice it and the snake did not strike.
In fact, it never made any quick or defensive moves, and did not rattle even when we encouraged it off the trail with a lightly tossed stick.
I think it had just slid out of the palmetto scrub to soak up some heat when we came along.
Reluctantly, it decided to leave it's sunny spot and head back into the covering scrub.
Bear watched it go while I gripped his collar firmly.
It's kind of a panty video and a little shaky as I was holding onto Bear with one hand and filming with the other.
Bear has an amazing sense of smell, yet he walked right past the snake, thank goodness. Had he caught a whiff and investigated before we noticed the snake, this could have gone so bad.
So, a couple of lessons I was allowed to relearn without punishment are:
- Keep control of the leash on the trail ... no cheating in snake country.
- Don't let your spidey senses relax just because you are almost out of the woods. I did that because I was on this wide open sandy trail. When I am off trail, I pick every footfall in snake habitat, but I essentially goofed off on this walk.
All in all, it was a fine day, but the potential for disaster is always there.
16 comments:
I'm so glad you guys made it home in one piece. What an adventure the day turned out to be!
It sounds like Bear has had too many death defying situations lately. He must have a guardian angel watching over him . . . Gumbo perhaps?
That's a good sized rattler. Glad he and Bear didn't notice each other!
What a day Bear had. He needs his own children's book - The Adventures of Bear. He lives quite a life you know.
What a fine looking snake. Glad the encounter turned out as well as it did. You've been working hard lately, fc, and wanting some wild excitement. I think you definitely got it on this day.
As I said, you should not be allowed to have a dog. Give him to me!
I am so glad nothing happened...it was neat hearing Bear pant on the video.
do I notice atremor in your camera??? (kidding) like I said Bear.... "porch dog" sounds good to me
Beautiful snake.
Check out the video here: http://hogfoot.blogspot.com/2009/06/if-itd-been-snake.html
for the reactions of a bear cub and a timber rattlesnake when they encounter each other.
I don't recall saying anything so coherent as "snake." I think I said WHOA!!! At least I didn't scream like a girl.
Dani,
Me too! Interesting day.
Debbie,
I love the idea of Gumbo with wings.
SCM,
Funny you would mention that, Bear was typing something when I came in the room.
Robin,
Careful what you wish for right?
Cindy,
You couldn't handle him cat girl!!
:)
3Collie,
He was one hot puppy by then.
Who woulda,
LOL! That shake is from holding 95 pounds of muscle dog.
David,
Diamondbacks really are gorgeous snakes.
Doug,
I save my girlie screams for those moments when I run into big spider webs!
I think "snake" was the third or fourth word out of your mouth.
LOL!
We take things like not having venomous snakes for granted here in Minnesotarctica. But the payback is winter.
Deb,
I'll keep the venomous snakes. :)
Wow you'd think Bear was a cat with all the lives he used up that day!!! Glad to hear that ALL of them worked out well.
Lynn,
He has catlike reflexes!
I'm curious how many people will end up hitting your blog because you called the video of the snake a 'panty video' LOL.
Prem @ flnativeorchids.blogspot.com
Prem,
LOL! I had the same thought! Great minds think a like!
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