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My first field trip of the fall... makes me wish I had enough money for a camera.
I've been so busy with school this fall I haven't had much of a chance to herp.
Today my aunt and uncle were going out to their organic farm(no pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, etc) and I decided it would be a good chance for me to get a little herping in, especially since the temperature today was around 81 degrees F. I walked around for awhile before heading over to a more secluded field near a regrowth pine area. Crossing the path right in front of the pines was a Timber Rattler! This was the first one I've seen in my area, usually I only stumble across Eastern Dimaondbacks. It knew I was there, it was staying stock still stretched straight out. It wasn't until I lifted it a little bit with one of my hooks that it went into a defensize posture and rattled a little bit. It was a youngster, barely 3 feet long with about 5-6 rattle segments. It was relatively skinny too, the skinniest one I've come across. After it's small defensive display it took off back into the woods, and for those of you who have never seen a Timber Rattler move, their pattern works well with movement, it makes them look like a stream of milky chocolate. I'll definately be returning to the farm for some more in depth herping. (and I should have a good camera by next Spring, so pics will come!)
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