Tread carefully out there...

[Bocephus]

Was wandering in southern Montana a few weeks back. The nights had been in the high 20’s, days in the mid-30’s. Finally warmed up to the low 40’s so I decided to check a gopher patch for activity. Cloudy skies, cool wind and ranchers doing chores scratched that idea so with Canon in hand I wandered off up the canyon.
He was a tad sluggish, but not slow.Tail was a buzzing but couldn’t hear it for the wind. Careful out there folks!

 

[PigButtons]

And this time of year they are hungry, cranky, and full venom sacks; bad combination.

 

[jasophil1]

Nothing in the world will get your eyes wide open and at full alert than that thing .

 

[caihlen]

Buzzworms. Yep.

 

[GT Accuracy]

A lot of Nope Rope pics this year

 

[Immike]

A lot of Nope Rope pics this year

What does that mean? School us please. I see it’s not a home pic

 

[GT Accuracy]

What does that mean? School us please. I see it’s not a home pic

I nope rope is a snake. It is long and thin like a rope, do you want to be near it...NOPE....thus NOPE ROPE

 

[Bocephus]

And this time of year they are hungry, cranky, and full venom sacks; bad combination.

This one was just at the north end of a small rock outcrop located high on a steep slope. I'm guessing there was a den nearby.
Also possible that congress was in session. No interns in sight so this one might have slipped out to text and take a mary jane smoke break.

 

[Kurz]

Quail hunting in AZ can be especially traumatic when the rattlers are out sunning. Tall grass, low lying, tightly packed shrubs and rocks everywhere! You dearly want to be watching and listening for quail but a tiny misstep will often result in snakes strikes.

I wear snake boots and short snake chaps. When they strike, it's the snake who gets the surprise not me. Besides, anti-venom is so stupidly overpriced these days that you basically pay for a new car when the hospital uses it.

Be watchful!

 

[Bocephus]

Quail hunting in AZ can be especially traumatic when the rattlers are out sunning. Tall grass, low lying, tightly packed shrubs and rocks everywhere! You dearly want to be watching and listening for quail but a tiny misstep will often result in snakes strikes.

I wear snake boots and short snake chaps. When they strike, it's the snake who gets the surprise not me. Besides, anti-venom is so stupidly overpriced these days that you basically pay for a new car when the hospital uses it.

Be watchful!

Did a stint a few years back setting gypsy moth traps here in the Appalachians. Really remote, rough areas. The state issued leggings made of a tight woven bronze mesh covered with heavy canvas. Never got pecked by one of the belly wheeled critters, but sure felt better about being out there miles from anywhere, alone, without cell service.