Shake that Rattle

[Old Girl Scout]

I had a big thrill last week. I saw a beautiful timber rattlesnake. His deep golden coloration was amazing. Maybe he had recently shed.

It's an experience I'll never forget. He was curled up in sunlight on our path. My companion and I got some good photos. Then he moved away under a bush, and shook his rattle at us. He posed beautifully.

Only once before have I seen a rattler, over 25 years ago. It was much more brown. That time my dog passed by first and I heard the rattle before I saw the snake.

Imagine if one of us had accidentally stepped on him! I think I'll get a snake bite kit. I wonder how effective they are. It seems like a good idea, even if I don't see another rattler for another 25 years. We were a couple hours away from my car, with no cell phone reception. Last week someone at Lake Awosting told me that several people get bitten each year in Minnewaska Park. I wonder if it's true.

Now, if I could see a black bear, preferably eating blueberries, my cup would runneth over.

[Old Girl Scout]

I showed my photos to a naturalist friend and he said it looks like a pregnant female.
I thought that would be more of a spring thing, but he said no, the time is right.

Yesss!

[Ridge70]

Old Girl Scout, could you post some pics here?

[Old Girl Scout]

Ridge 70, I don't have photos stored on a public place on the internet. I don't know if I'll ever get around to doing that, but if you don't mind providing your email I'll send them to you.

[Old Girl Scout]

...tried to post photo but it didn't work...