No, No, No!

Not that determining fault ever factored into the aftereffects, but it is always a good idea to examine those close encounters, and there is no question i should have been scanning further up the trail, rather than being focused on the few feet right in front of my wheel. That way, rattlesnakes' "sudden appearance" might have been less surprising. For both of us, for rattlesnakes' failure to draw back into a strike posture suggested that he, or she as the case may have been, was taken just as much by surprise. That in itself was something to be thankful for, my wheels passing that flicking tongue well within the strike zone of its sixteen to eighteen inch long body. Not so surprised though that she, or he as the case may have been, didn't let out a very loud warning - No, no, no! Safely past, i stopped for the usual photo op, but rattlesnake was already heading off into the roadside brush, sabre-rattling the whole way. 

 

just taking in the view for a moment

I am sure you've read, of heard, warnings from various sources - the early season warmth has brought rattlesnake out from its winter den a bit early this year. And, after all, what's good for them is good for us - we want to be Out There too. Just be aware, you never know when, where, nor with whom you may be sharing a trail. 

that's the view

San Antonio Creek - funny thing is, i am yet to find a map that calls it San Antonio Creek. The only maps that use the term "creek" are maps made after the construction of the dam, where the channelized portion below the dam is "San Antonio Creek Channel" - trivia for the day

the mouth of the Great White of the Wash was looking especially jaggedy today