wild west,
coyotes rule,
above the rest.
Lords
of the night,
they reign
supreme.
But in the day,
they step aside,
when into Eden,
serpents slide.
This 12-year-old Southern Pacific Rattlesnake was about 20 feet from our door. She was well over 5 feet in length. My son said, “Aren’t you going to take her picture?”
I was so shocked by her too close presence that I forgot about taking pics which is a first for me, and I was a bit rattled when I finally took them! This is the wild west, and the rattlesnakes live here, and always have.
On another note, a genetic study was published a few days ago, which clarified there is only one true north american wolf, the grey wolf, others are coyote/wolf hybrids.
Cheers to you from Eden’s Holler~
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You were shocked and rattled but I know it’s ‘wolf’ it! (♦ŐωŐ♦)
ಠ_ಠ
A scene unfamiliar to my eyes…
It is fun to see these scenes from our fellow bloggers!
I’ll pass on the snake thank you 😀
Wise woman! o/\o
Oh this Rattlesnake would scare me too…. and so close… great shots!
Rattlers are heart-rate elevators!
I’d be rattled too Cindy!! Great photos 💛
They do create a rather rattling result! ～>゜）～～～～
Where were you when you took these pictures? Looks like whoever hosted you were thinking of children with the wading pool or providing a watering trough for the locals.
If I lived there I’d want to open carry a gun to protect my territory from critters who could take a bite out of me!
That pool is a todddler pool we set up for wildlife watering due to the horrendous drought we are having here. I carry bear spray as a precaution. It is less lethal and I have never had to use it,.
Cindy, you are brave indeed to get close enough to take that rattler’s picture! The coyotes’, too. Although they’re kinda cute (almost look dog-like), I know they can be fierce. No way do I want Dallas meeting face-to-face with one…or more!
Yes dogs need to be kept away from the coyote packs. They can be ruthless, co-ordinating predators.
Excellent photos! Yes, I even love the rattlesnake…from a safe distance, of course!
Coyotes are here on the Washington coast, too – we hear them talking to each other late at night.
🙂
Aren’t they wonderful to hear! There symphonies have become our background music~
They are, indeed…especially when there are new pups, learning the family’s song!
😀
Exactly. It is one of mother natures wild wonders! <3
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
Some wonderful photos of Cindy’s local coyotes…and a sleek, serpentine friend!
🙂
You are a wonderful blogging friend! (︶ω︶)
Amazing photos Cindy and the coyotes looks like, they find enough food 😀
This rattle snake was big. I’m learning not to be as scared as I was in the beginning here in Spain. I respect them and give them time to leave, when I meet them, but I don’t have passion for them. We do have the same rights to live, no matter human or animal.
I had to google this. I didn’t realize you had five venomous snake species in Spain. I learn new things everyday from bloggers. I know Portugal and the UK have them. Thank you for enlightening me. The biggest safety precautions I employ are snake boots and careful monitoring of where I step or put my hands, as long as I remember to do this!!
I have met some in my time here and because I have had not so good experiences with some snakes years ago, no bites, I have had to learn about them to avoid bites at all. Knowledge helps a lot.
The most big as I met here, I wrote a post about then. It was between 2,5 – 3 meters and thick enough to take rabbits without any problems. These are not usual in Spain, but some people left their animals of different kind in our nature, when they could not take care of them any longer. This one was very dark in color.
Yes the really thick ones are incredibly strong and fast. Very powerful animals. I hope you have snake boots. 🐍 🐍 👢👢!
Cindy!! I am with you…I would have run for the hills. I think it is amazing you got these captures! Incredible 🙂 💜
Well the pics are a bit rattled! 🐍🐍🐍
Haha! 🙂
<3
These animals are scary yet great photos as always 😃
It is good to have fear of wild animals. It keeps you safe!
That’s right 😃
<3
Aren’t those coyotes just glorious! But the snake…well…I do not know if I could have composed myself that much – to take the photos. In Sweden we only have one poisonous snake, and when we met a big one this summer I managed a photo as well. But far, far from as dangerous as this one.
I am learning a lot here today. I didn’t know Spain had five venomous snake species until a blogger from there told me today and I had no idea Sweden had any species of venomous snake! Thank you for educating me. 🐍 🐍
One of the good things with blogging!
<3 <3
Snakes in the grass…, and crying Wolf ! Can’t wait for what will pop up next, Cindy, as long as it’s not a cottontail eating more of my green bean plants !!! You seem to have A LOT of coyotes there. Are you encouraging them ??? Those critters like cottontails for dinner as well as the rattlers ! Loved the pics. 🙂
“Snakes in the grass…, and crying Wolf!”
Yep, that sums up The Holler! 😉
I set up the pool because of the horrendous drought and the need for wildlife to have water. All sorts of creatures drink from it. But the coyotes are dominant.
Looks like Butch and Sundance have returned.
“Raindrops keep falling on my head
and just like the man whose feet are too big for his bed ~”
Beware of snakes bearing apples. 🙂 🙂
I would make an special exception for Butch! Yippee-tay-yay-yo! Bring on Butch~
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/fa/23/0e/fa230ec7d2bc329776be881d3b3c284a.jpg
Steady Neddy, your showing your predilections. 😀
Darn tootin! Paul is a prediliction. 😍
The coyotes and snake are beautiful critters. Great photos, Cindy! My father had a pet rattlesnake as a boy. I heard my grandmother was not fond of it.
He must have been a really responsible child because that is a dangerous pet. My son had two in aquariums in his apartment but he was in grad school studying them.
Yep, they’re a little “rattling”! Thankfully a shy beast.
Yes, very much so, plus they rattle to warn you away, which is actually considerate.
Haha, yes, it is! 🙂
Can’t say I like them – when we lived in the country they took down a deer on our frozen pond. Not a pretty sight and we became fearful for the dogs. I know – that’s the way life is, however…
They are definitely a critter to be realistically feared and dogs are at significant risk around them. Strange that the snake was on a frozen pond and not in it’s winter den. Something must have driven it out.
Oh no I meant the coyotes took down a young deer on our frozen pond. Not pretty! All the snakes in Michigan are “sleeping” when there is snow on the ground.
Okay, now I get you. I have heard the coyotes take calves down and seen the after effects but have never actually seen the process since it occurs at night thank God. I know they take calves from cows as they deliver and this causes the mama cows to wail for days and nights. Really terribly sad to hear and think about. They are wild predators as you well know.
Fantastic 🙂
Ahhhhh, thanks!
Oh Cindy, I am so thrilled with this post! Your coyote friends are so healthy and robust, great to see pups, and wonderful that you’re giving out abundant free water during this hottest and dryist of times. And the rattlesnake blew me away!! We, too, in our northern Calif. home get rattlers, and I am all for letting them live, so that’s the first bravo. But this one is huge! Such a divine creature. Thanks so much for sharing this, and for nobly sharing your homeland with all the wildlife.
You are a sweetheart my friend. Thank you and be well! <3 <3
Impresionante la serie de fotos de los coyotes, pero las fotos de la serpiente de cascabel “ponen los pelos de punta”, que diríamos por aquí. ¿No pasate miedo? La naturaleza salvaje es maravillosa, pero hay que andarse con cuidado para evitar accidentes. Buen fiende y un abrazo, Cindy <3
Si serpientes de cascabel son muy peligrosos y que no les gustan a mi lado o cerca de mi casa! Tener un domingo maravilloso mi amiga y estar bien! Abrazos~ <3
Can see why you might be rattled but you managed some pics! Your coyotes obviously love the paddling pool on offer. Not Air B and B but water! Much needed here too at present!
We are now driving up acoss California to the Eastern Sierra. I have never in all my life in California seen our state in such horrible shape. The toll of the drought has turned everything into a wasteland.
Sounds so distressing. Is this not the effect of climate change?
Yes I think so and seeing the effects so clearly is heartbreaking.
WOW, such amazing and beautiful animals. Your photographs are fantastic and I would have been too shocked to take pictures of that very large snake. 🙂
I would have been too if my son hadn’t snapped me out of my stupor!
I know two women who’ve been bitten by a rattle snake. One was airlifted to a hospital, treated and recovered quickly. The other was in the hospital for two weeks. I have great respect for those snakes, coupled with an abundance of caution. I’m glad you’re okay. Your love of all animals shines through.
Yes, the venom is evolving and becomming more deadly. I know of a person who died. They are serious creatures~
Hi Cindy. You have your own nature preserve, I see. I hope you used a telephoto lens to shoot the snake! Impressive that you took the photos. I would have run. 🙂
No telephoto for the snake, but we stayed out of her stress and strike zone. My son is an expert on rattlersnakes and quite competent around them. I trust his judgement. I have learned a lot from him about them which has helped me overcome my irrational fear of them. Now my fear of them is lessened and more fact based and rational~
Wonderful. My fear is still irrational!!
Knowing more would definitely help.
It’s a good fear though because it keeps you alive!
Great pictures, Cindy. For some reason, I never thought of wolves and coyotes interbreeding, but it makes sense as they’re similar enough. —- Suzanne
I have been so struck by the similarities watching our coyotes and comparing them to my friend’s wolves. She has two grey wolves. The wolves are bigger but otherwise so similar~
A lot of people seem to hate coyotes, but I like them, and I’ve always liked any kind of snake as well, nice shots.
Good for you! Coyotes are intelligent, adaptive and highly successful predators. Rattlesnakes are equally successful predators. Maybe their success makes people dislike them, combined with fear. Fear is the biggest source of hostility.
We started feeding a feral cat and now there are 4 on our porch begging for food every morning. What a great way to attract coyotes by providing water! BTW, how do you know this was a12-year old rattlesnake? Does the rattle reflect their age? It is a magnificent snake, beautiful markings.
We have bobcat, rare cougar, raccoon and other tracks around The Holler. We were providing water due to the insanely terrible ongoing drought conditions for all the wildlife. Even the hawks want the water. But, the coyote packs have taken the water over and laid claim to it.
And yes, you age a rattler by counting the rattle chambers. My son says just what you said about rattlesnakes, “Aren’t they beautiful!” I respect people who see and say this. If we put our fear aside for a minute, we can see they are incredibly designed for what they do.
so glad you are helping the critters out with water – perfect photo opportunities in close proximity 🙂 I am fascinated by snakes, they don’t scare me. But I do keep a respectful distance.
Good for you! Excess fear creates violent responses. Respectful watching distance is the way to approach all wild life..
Hello Cindy,
Love your photos. I was just searching southern pacific rattlesnakes because I recently saw one on a job site in San Diego. Your photos of the one above showed up. I in no way want to be a know it all but “call me crazy” I have 2 pet western diamondback rattlesnakes. I’ve had them both now for a little over a year. Within this time, each one has shed its skin 5 to 6 times. It’s a common misconception that each rattle marks a year. Depending on their diet, more food or less, will determine how often they shed. I feed mine every 2 to 3 weeks. Just wanted to “shed” some light on the subject. Great photos! Thank you for posting for our pleasure.
Thank you for the more accurate info. So they grow new rattles when they shed? How interesting Thank you for shedding some light on the issue. It’s rattlesnake season at The Holler right now and neighbors are reporting lots of sightings, more than normal for this time of year. I’m sure you heard about the man who got bitten on both thumbs picking something up from the ground. I haven’t heard how he is. Thanks again for the heads up and be careful with your tenants!
Wonderful photos Cindy, but that is a close encounter I don’t want (with a rattler). 🙂
Nope. I don’t want them either! 🐍 🐍 🐍
🙂
Amazing pictures, Cindy. Yes, I’d be afraid and forget to take shots, too. 🙂
Blessings ~ Wendy
Just what I did until I got rattled out of it! 🐍
🙂
Beautiful photos and very interesting information!
Happy you enjoyed! I am a font of useless information. 💁
I don’t think that is useless information…. although I don’t know what I will use it for! 🙂
Laughing…….exactly!
I am afraid of rattlesnake.
It is good to be afraid of rattlesnakes.
You are much braver than I am. I would be running away from the snake! These are great pictures and thank you for sharing with us. Many blessings, Cherokee Billie
Thank you Billie & being afraid of rattlesnakes helps keep you alive! Blessings back to you~
Very impressive photos of impressive creatures, but that rattlesnake was too close for comfort, I agree!
Yes, I am happiest when rattlesnakes are not near me or my house!
There you go with the snakes again!
He did not receive an engraved invitation from us believe me!
Lucky shots, amazing.
Getting the pups was especially lucky!
Oh yes, it would be my dream 🙂
You are my kind of person! <3 🐺
Nice to know the coyotes have a water supply.
And all the other wild creatures too. All creatures wise and wonderful……
20 feet from your door??!! yikes! Take care Cindy! (and thanks for the pics of your adventure! Hope you’re really enjoying the last days of summer there… xo
Too close for comfort and I think she ate Peter Rabbit! Today we hiked Tioga Pass again outside the park perimeter with no people! Heaven~
Wow Cindy– that’s getting up there! We’ve driven through dozens of times on our way up to SF, but never stopped. You’re intrepid! xo
I am just happy I am fit enough to still do it!
Great post & poetry! I luv the coyote pond! 😉
The coyotes seem to love their Snoopy pool, but then, who doesn’t love Snoopy-dog!
<3
Rattle snake picture is really amazing.
Thank you. I got closer to her than I would like!
Ur welcome, I like snakes a lot:-)
Good for you. You are wise. My son studied them and respects them. I have learned a lot about them from him and learned not to have irrational fear of them.
oh no….not me ever!!!! You are too brave and your son is bold!
I prefer them at a distance!!!!
No coyotes here in Australia…only Dingos which are also mixing into the dog population.
I love the justaposition of the wild west and coyotes and the toddler pool! xx Rowena
Kinda like the wild west Holler stylye! Yippee tay yay yo! 🌵 🌵
Precious! And that is a fat snake. Amazing!
I’m afraid she just swallowed Peter Rabbit! 🐰
Love the photos. The wolves are adorable drinking out of the pool. I cannot believe that snake lives so close to you. You are one brave family!
Thank you Nancy. I would much prefer the rattlesnake at a greater distance!
http://www.allthingsclipart.com/images_01d/rattlesnake.11.jpg
There are coyotes around here and I love listening to them at night, but other than that, I’m not too keen on them. We live in a subdivision, but that doesn’t keep them away.
The rattler is gorgeous! It is much prettier than the rattlesnakes we have here in Ohio. Great photos!
It takes time to get used to living around wild animals. I used to be afraid of the coyotes until we built our fences. Now I respect them as the wild predators they are and give them space. I love hearing them at night!
http://www.alaskatrappers.org/images/coyote.jpg
Oh my word! I would have been so rattled and possibly passed out from shock. I detest snakes. Yeesh!!
I wasn’t too thrilled to find her so close to your door! But after you have lots of them, you get more used to them~
Reblogged this on penpowersong.
Happy weekend my friend~
Wonderful coyote photos, but a little too close for the rattlesnake! Yikes!
I agree with you! I like rattlesnakes best when they are outside my fences and easily seen!
I have heard the coyotes calling to each other at night.
Last week, I saw my first tarantula walking on the sidewalk. I was so shocked by the size of the spider, I didn’t even think about taking pictures.
Haven’t seen a rattlesnake around here yet, but if I do…I might not remember to take its photo either.
And I didn’t get a photo of the scorpion either, because I was too busy rescuing my cat (even though the cat didn’t seem to be too worried about following the scorpion around). I am definitely not used to being in Texas yet!
I had a reptivite nightmare when we first moved here. I was being chased by coyotes at night when my car broke down, and ran into an orchard port a potty to escape them. The port a potty was full of black widow spiders and a coiled rattler!
Welcome to The Holler!
Now when I see any of these creatures, I am interested, and run for my camera! It does get better.