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05/23/2005 12:32:09 PM · #1 |
I do a lot of hiking in Arizona. Encountering rattlesnakes is not uncommon. However, most of the time they seem to be in a bush or someplace you can't photograph them.
This guy was on a rock, just above eye level about 4 feet to my left when I spotted it. From where I stood I could just see a small part of it and wasn't sure it was a snake at first. Several other people walked right by it, even while I was shooting it. I had to climb up on the rock and shoot this while trying to maintain my balance on a small foothold and it was in a dark canyon, so the quality isn't all that great.
The rest of my images from Saturday's hike are here:
//www.pbase.com/darylf/payson_area&page=all
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05/23/2005 01:01:51 PM · #2 |
| Cool photos! I wish I could see one in person like that. Shoulda moved that little twig in front of his face though. ;-) |
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05/23/2005 02:25:50 PM · #3 |
Love hiking in Arizona. Thank you for sharing :)
Doesn't seem to be very hot yet..
Saw a rattlesnake on the middle of the trail once.. Spotted him about 5ft ahead of me.. Very lucky to even be looking down at that point, the camoflage of the snake on that trail was extremely good. (No camera with me then)
And he didn't want to move.. lol
Ended up throwing some small sticks to his side until he finally left.. |
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05/23/2005 07:21:28 PM · #4 |
This was near Payson where altitude is over 5,000 feet. High temps are in the low 90's there now. Here in the Phoenix area it was 113 yesterday.
As the temps go up, the hikes go up in altitude.
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05/23/2005 07:39:41 PM · #5 |
Ouch.. yeah, I heard.. Doesn't seem to be too hot in your pics..
But it is heating up now! OMG you're in Phoenix.. Getting crazy hot there now.
Yes, I am used to hiking in the 100s.. Can be very dangerous.
Usually hang around the grand canyon area when I go.. Soo much to explore there. But also been around the Sonoran Desert area. Hopefully I will encounter some Rattle Snakes when I go next time. |
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05/23/2005 07:50:31 PM · #6 |
Great find! I guess I just haven't hiked enough in the Southwest... until this March I had never encountered one before.
Here is one that we ran across during the LA DPC GTG at the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve in March. He (she?) was much more accessible than your specimen.
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05/23/2005 07:54:40 PM · #7 |
OMG Kirbic, that is soo beautiful.
What lens did you use there? And around what distance? |
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05/23/2005 07:56:04 PM · #8 |
| Love snakes, they are just beatiful! You guys are lucky to see such gorgeous creatures! |
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05/23/2005 08:06:35 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Sonda:
OMG Kirbic, that is soo beautiful.
What lens did you use there? And around what distance? |
Canon 100/2.8 Macro USM, f/8, 1/250s. Distance was about 5 feet (1.6 meters).
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05/23/2005 08:20:08 PM · #10 |
Cool.. Thank you, Kirbic. I will keep my eyes out for that lens.
Originally posted by gibun:
Love snakes, they are just beatiful! You guys are lucky to see such gorgeous creatures! |
Yes, I agree :) very lucky..
Here's some interesting facts about Rattle Snakes;
1. The Western Diamondback always rattles to warn a victim.
2. The snake rattles to release a poisonous dust into the air.
3. Its age corresponds to the number of its rattles.
4. It can charm a bird out of a tree
5. The rattle resembles a grub, which the bird will try to grab.
6. It can grow to be ten or even twelve feet long.
7. Its venom, flesh, skins & rattles can heal human diseases and wounds.
8. It can live for more than twenty years.
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05/23/2005 09:03:52 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Sonda:
Cool.. Thank you, Kirbic. I will keep my eyes out for that lens.
Originally posted by gibun:
Love snakes, they are just beatiful! You guys are lucky to see such gorgeous creatures! |
Yes, I agree :) very lucky..
Here's some interesting facts about Rattle Snakes;
1. The Western Diamondback always rattles to warn a victim.
2. The snake rattles to release a poisonous dust into the air.
3. Its age corresponds to the number of its rattles.
4. It can charm a bird out of a tree
5. The rattle resembles a grub, which the bird will try to grab.
6. It can grow to be ten or even twelve feet long.
7. Its venom, flesh, skins & rattles can heal human diseases and wounds.
8. It can live for more than twenty years. |
I know #1 is not true. I've heard it before and it's pure myth. I run into a few a year and maybe 1 in 4 if not less actually rattle. I've actually relocated (catch and release somewhere else) two of them and neither ever rattled.
When they do rattle though, it's one of the scariest sounds you'll ever hear!
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05/23/2005 09:10:25 PM · #12 |
Oh.. Interesting.
I love that sound when they rattle.. Very eerie.
But it can be scary at night and you don't have a flashlight!
Walked at night once wout a flashlight, just heard the sound close by as if out of nowhere and I litterally jumped high with backpack and all. I think it was really close, but I am not sure.. I moved fast away. |
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