Old Faithful

[tyflier]

Last night, a buddy of mine called and said he was itching to find some rattlers. The last couple times we went out, we found snakes...but no buzztails. So...we decioded to hit a road that has become known as "Old Faithful".

Last fall, after eggs hatched and litters were birthed, it was common to cruise this road and find 10 or 12 babies wandering the pavement in search of warmth and sustenance. This spring, the road has proven just as fruitful, almost always producing a snake or two, and usually bringing up some gorgeous Panamints, Longnose, and Great Basin Gophersnakes. And last night was no different...

http://interruptedthoughtprocess.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/adult1.jpg
Pretty adult, a bit on the small side, but calm and content.

http://interruptedthoughtprocess.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/adult-closeup.jpg
Friends? This photo is cropped to 100%, but I couldn't resist. Ain't he cute with his little buddy chillin' on his head?

http://interruptedthoughtprocess.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/juvenile.jpg
And another gorgeous little juvenile, this one proudly displaying and shaking his single, noiseless button.

We also found a DOR Western Longnose(R.lecontei). It was odd...no external signs of physical damage, but dead in the middle of the road. It was swollen about the head and neck, and it's mouth was just filled with blood...but no crush injuries, and we didn't really see any other cars. I can't help but wonder how it died. The amount of bleeding in the mouth, from apparently internal injuries, was quite substantial, and very intriguing...no coagulation or viscious hemhorraging...just a mouth full of blood that oozed when I picked it up, and a soft, limp body body. Is it possible this snake was bitten by a rattler and succumbed to the venom?

Anyhow...another great night, cruising the pavement with a good friend, and finding gorgeous animals.

Thanks for looking!

[RobbiesCornField]

Nice shots! I love the pic with the ant.
And that sounds like it could be a possibility on the longnose.

[Nanci]

The ant's like "I dare you to touch me!"

[danielle]

I loved the ant pic too thats was hilarious!!

[RavenSpirit360]

Oh wow that is strange??? Hmm? I love the ant shot lol.. very cute.. I love the juvenile one, I would've been wayy to tempted to bring that one home ;)

[Allison]

Great shots! I wish I knew of a "Old Faithful" road around me.

[tyflier]

Great shots! I wish I knew of a "Old Faithful" road around me.

Ssshh...don't tell anyone I told you but...there is a secret road near you. I don't know it's name, but it is paved, not heavily traveled, and surrounded by desert for miles on both sides with permanent water, somewhere. I can't give you directions to it, but it's out there...somewhere...;)

Thanks for comments, everyone!

[Michael823]

Good thing the photo's cropped, I'd be freaked out that close to an ant :).

[Allison]

Ssshh...don't tell anyone I told you but...there is a secret road near you. I don't know it's name, but it is paved, not heavily traveled, and surrounded by desert for miles on both sides with permanent water, somewhere. I can't give you directions to it, but it's out there...somewhere...;)

Thanks for comments, everyone!

Hehehe! It sounds a bit far away... and very hard to find.

[mbdorfer]

Great shots Chris!