Sunday, July 26, 2015

A quiz for you: Was that SCARY or LUCKY? I think BOTH!

This was a first for us.  It was super hot Friday, so for our "longer" walk we waited until it was almost dark to get out the stroller and walk around the campground.  We were walking along the paved road and passed something on the inside edge of the pavement.  I stopped and backed up, saying to myself, "It looks like a large, fat lizard.  Darn, I didn't bring my camera!"  I wondered if it had been run over because it wasn't moving.  It was dark enough that I couldn't see the critter clearly, just an outline, barely, and it looked to be just sitting there, about a foot long and fat in the middle.  I was thinking, a big lizard that just had a meal.

I got closer, maybe three feet away, and started to lean down to see if I could get a clearer view when I heard the RATTLES.   SH*T!!!   (Excuse my French, it's my go-to word when totally shocked.)  I backed up as fast as I could, EEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!, pulling the stroller with me, almost turning it over twice and twisting my wrist.  GGGGEEEEEEEEEEZZZZ! 

I've never seen a rattlesnake in person before, and I guess I still haven't, but now I've sure heard one.  I walked quickly away, doing some of those breaths where you breathe in deeply and blow it out through your lips.  I kept saying to Katie, "That was really scary."  Then "That was really lucky."

It must have been coiled, and that's why it looked so short and fat.  Even though I couldn't see it clearly, when it started rattling, I could see a vague outline of the tail raised.  I couldn't believe it didn't strike at me when I leaned over to get a closer look.  I still think about it and say, Boy was that scary! Boy was that lucky!

Needless to say, no more late evening walks for us.  Last evening it was still completely light wen we walked, still, it was around 7:30 or so because that's when it starts cooling down enough to walk.  But completely light, and I scanned the road.  To the left, to the right, straight ahead, repeat, repeat, repeat.

Boy, was that scary!  Boy was that lucky!  WHEW!  :)

Here are a few shots taken in the last weeks:

Bluewater Lake State Park, NM

The Palms under a huge rainbow - we had a LOT of rain when we were there.


It was a double rainbow:


Two Raven lovebirds sitting on a rock together:

There were still some beautiful cactus flowers blooming:

When I see Gambel's Quail, I think of Nuns; when I see Turkey Buzzards, I think of SCOTUS.  Here's the Chief Justice:

(No religious or political implications meant.)

And here are three of the other Justices:


Elephant Butte Lake State Park, NM

Bunnies and lizards just remind me of bunnies and lizards:

I think this guy is called a Zebra-tailed Lizard.  What made him stand out is that when we were walking along and got too close to him, he scooted away with his tail in the air.  He didn't go far, just a few feet, and as we walked closer, he did it again and again.  This isn't a very clear shot, but was the best one I got of him.  I don't know what the loose neck skin is all about, or those weird toes.  And he sure looked different than other lizards when he flipped up his tail and ran.  I've never seen that before.  The underside of his tail is white with black stripes around it.

Beautiful Eastern sky the other night at sunset.  There are lots of evenings where the sunset isn't as pretty as the eastern sky, and this was one of them.

Sunset sky over Elephant Butte Lake:

I'm still quaking about the rattlesnake incident.  Wow, that was scarey!  And I just can't say that without saying, That was SO lucky!

From me and Katie, have a great Sunday, everyone!  :) 

PS:  Here's a great idea for you, and something I should have brought with me on the rattle snake walk the other night:  
This one is made by Coleman and comes in different colors.  The one I got is exactly like this except it has three lights, one in the middle edge of the brim, and two under the brim.  It's plenty of light to see at night, and so much easier than holding a flashlight.  So if you order from this link, you might get three lights instead of four, but I'm super happy with mine. 


They are well made with very sturdy material.  I should have had mine on the other night during our scarey rattle snake walk.  :) 

25 comments:

  1. Who is minding the desk at Bluewater Lake these days?

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    1. I don't know - I didn't go into the visitor's center this year. I didn't see any volunteers that I knew.

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  2. Wow, that really was scary AND lucky. Glad you and Katie are okay.

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  3. It's a good thing that snake rattled at you. I almost stepped on one and it never rattled. Just coiled up looking at me. Very scarry. Glad you're safe.

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  4. Selfies with rattlers...not a good idea. Liked the rainbow pics.

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    1. I know, right? No, I was wishing I had my camera so I could take a picture of the "thing" that was on the road. I don't do selfies. They NEVER look good! LOL

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  5. Oh dear! Remember that flashlight at dusk! I usually see a couple rattlesnakes every spring - only 1 rattled a warning at me - I thought it was dead and got too close (like you, I got quite the surprise!).

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    1. I thought they rattled when people were near, I had no idea they just lay there until you're CLOSE. It was really a learning experience. I can see why people get bit, you could be right on one before you even know it's there.

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  6. Like Anne said above, take a flashlight with you in the evening. It could come in handy for many things, and one of things is seeing large fat lizards that turn into rattle snakes. Glad you were lucky enough to not get bit. Those snakes would rather not bite unless all else fails. Good thing Katy was in the stroller.

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    1. Yes, Dick, that was my first thought. Thank God she wasn't walking on the leash, she might have gone right over to it to explore before I even saw it. And I don't think a snake bite on a dog her size would have been good.

      I have a hat - I think I'll put it on the sidebar - that has LED lights in the bill. It's quick and easy to bring along and shines ahead and right in front of me, and would be so easy to bring on a walk. I keep it by the door and throw it on for Katie's last pottie break at night when it's dark.

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  7. Sunset over elephant butte is beautiful!!! You are darn right that is scary... geez!! and so VERY lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take Care

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  8. That was scary! Glad you have good hearing and didn't go in the wrong direction. I'm also sure you'll never forget that scare either but glad you both made it out without a strike. Now don't go back looking for it either!

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  9. Yikes... I would have had to get back to the RV and change my shorts!

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  10. I could live a lifetime without seeing a coiled rattlesnake and count myself as happy! So glad you two are safe!

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  11. My heart was pounding just reading about how close you got to that snake. Just scares me to death. I am sooo happy you didn't get bit and that Katie was in her stroller. I don't let Scooter sniff under any bushes or anything around here because of snakes and scorpions. Haven't seen any and I don't ever want to see any. I love the Palms under the rainbow.

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  12. Good grief! That was scary. Be careful out there, Willia.

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  14. Definitely very scary and you both were extremely lucky.

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  15. YIKES! So glad you didn't have a closer encounter.

    Virtual hugs,

    Judie

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  16. Yikes!! That would have freaked me out! Haven't ever seen (or heard) a rattlesnake in the wild. Good thing you didn't get any closer.

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  17. Thank goodness the snake didn't strike. Someone or something was watching out for you.

    Lovely photos of the rainbow and the evening skies!

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  18. Yikes. I did see a rattlesnake this summer, but to be fair, we went looking for her. Nice, nice shot of that rainbow. You're not at SoMoPo right now ... are you?

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  19. My heart is thumping just reading about your encounter. I would be having nightmares for a long time if I had gone through your experience. So glad you escaped unharmed!

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