OMG, what an amazing day with my friends Karol Harvey and Kimberly Hewitt. We went exploring Boyce Thompson Arboretum and had no idea what was in store for us that morning.
It was a beautiful overcast morning in Superior and we even got a little bit of precipitation walking through the Australian area among the giant Eucalyptus trees. We decided to take a path none of us had ever explored before and we were enjoying the Turkey Vultures taking off from their high perch from the large rock mountain above us.
We continued down the path widening around the mountain when we all heard something and didn't quit know what it was. Karol was in the lead and thought what kind of bird is making that sound. Kimberly thought it was a sprinkler going off and I was in the back and heard the noise and immediately saw Karol running back towards us unable to speak.
We were hearing the rattles of a gorgeous Northern Blacktailed Rattlesnake. I've never seen one before, in fact didn't even know we had these snakes in AZ. He was moving slowly across the path not looking at us but checking something out to the side of us. I didn't see anything that he was looking at and believe me I was keeping my distance; I know how far rattlesnakes can strike. He wasn't coiled but very interested in something behind a tree he settled under. I'm so thankful I had my long lens with me yesterday, I wasn't going to bring it with me. He finally realized I was there and coiled in front of me so I decided it was time to stop taking his picture and we all moved on up the path to spend time with the Dragonflies by Ayer Lake.
We talked about our encounter with our little friend the rattlesnake for hours; it took Karol that long to calm down. If you notice in the photos, I got him sticking his tongue out; wildlife just loves me! Yes, Kimberly and I made sure Karol was in front leading the way all day.
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