I've delved deeper and deeper into my oldest obsession over the last few years. I was interested in reptiles well before fish, and spending time observing timber rattlesnakes really opened it back up for me. I've become completely engrossed in the pursuit of snakes. I want to see as many as I can and I want to capture the best images I possibly can of each species I find.
Black racers are one of the first species I see most years and also one of the most charismatic. They're underrated because of their abundance, but to me they'll always be a favorite. I love alert, intelligent reptiles, and black racers are definitely both. They also routinely shock me with unusual behavior. Last year, I spooked a racer out of a pile of leaves and it promptly shot down slope and launched itself off the cliff face. The drop was easily 40 feet and I have to imagine the snake had some sort of game plan and had done this exact thing before. This spring I got to do some very close-up photography of emerging black racers. I also got to photograph a mating pair. Mating snakes often seem to throw caution to the wind. These two came tumbling down the hill right to me.
Of course, I've been spending plenty of time with timber rattlesnakes. In fact, I really can't seem to shake them. I feel at times that I want to take a break but they just pull me back. Since they're endangered and I am completely enamored with them, I also have to deal with near constant strife. I worry constantly about poachers, development, trail building, and information leaks that threaten the sensitive populations. I'm currently deeply engrossed in a battle against mountain bikers at a den that very much seems to be slipping away. I've seen no more that two adults in one day on this particular mountain, and it was a very strong population just 10 years ago. Moves in the right direction are being made, and I'm glad I've been around to sound alarms, but I still fear for the future.
CT's other venomous snake, the copperhead, has also sucked up a lot of my time this spring. Unlike last year, it has been very fruitful. I've gotten to photograph dozens of beautiful copperheads this year already.
Perhaps most excitingly, just the other day I completed a long standing goal. I photographed the last CT snake species I'd yet to capture. The smooth green snake is one of New England's most striking wild animals. Bright green and sometimes even blue, smooth green snakes stand out from every other snake species in the area. They are also seriously imperiled and difficult to find. I finally hit it right last week and my friend Bruce and I got to enjoy not one but two of these amazing animals.
I've very much enjoyed where searching for reptiles has taken me in recent years. Its very similar to fishing, actually. Snakes like certain weather, different places are more productive at different times of day, and I get a very similar rush from accomplishing my goals. It's certainly not going to pull me away from fishing, but it is a nice break from it sometimes.
Until next time,
Although I don't have the same passion for reptiles, it is fantastic to learn a little bit more about them.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
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