Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

[Michael Erlewine]

In my case, I was part of no “rattlesnake roundup,” but a catch-and-release project sponsored by a university. As a herpetologist, most of my interest was not reptiles, but normally amphibians, particularly salamanders, and I worked on a number of population studies to better understand and protect amphibians, which today are in great jeopardy. This was in the late 1950s. More recently I have been on a board dedicated to wildlife rescue, an organization that rehabilitates wounded wildlife and puts them back in the wild. 

[John Koerner]

We hardly have snakes worthy of the name in the UK, and one of the biggest thrills of my "animal" life was at Mesquite Flats - the dunes in Death Valley - out in the sands very early and seeing the very obvious tracks of a "sidewinder". For the first time, the meaning and origin of the name became clear to me.

Sidewinders are perhaps the most interesting of rattlesnakes, I agree ("poster-children" for the word Evolution )

Good to hear such a statement, John. I hope that some organizations in the US can continue their good work to restore and preserve habitat for all the animals. For example, it was very cool to see documentation of the wolves in Yellowstone when we were there. We didn't see any actual wolves that trip, but there were displays in the visitor's center. The wolves are tracked but otherwise left completely alone.

The amount of good some people are capable of, in helping restore wildlife, is humbling.

Unfortunately, most people have no concept (or even awareness) of how much more there is to animals than what conventional ignorance passes-on ...

David, how cool that you saw Sidewinder tracks in Death Valley! I've never seen that. But when we were there this spring there was quite a sandstorm going on near the Dunes so I did not get to explore. Next time I hope.

Agreed, there is a certain satisfaction in seeing a Sidewinder "do its thing" that will never grow old to behold

Jack

[John Koerner]

Well said John Koerner. Unfortunately, Respect seems to be in short supply in this world.

Thank you ... and agreed. Saludos.

I used to catch and manipulate a lot of what I came across in order to get "the best photo" possible.

Now, I try my best to respect the animals/plants and simply photograph them as they are, as-found, and undisturbed.

It is not always possible (as with tiny spiders you'd never find without a sweep net), but I try to make it the rule when it is possible.

I checked out your link to the Nature Photographers Club. Good stuff.  The location of the rattlesnake looks like San Dimas.  I used to live next door in Claremont. Keep up the good work.

Thank you. It was (and is) a lot of work ... wish I had more time to put into it.

And, yes again, San Dimas ... I go the the Claremont Loop quite a bit also

Cheers, and small world,

Jack