Crotalus horridus!

[Vicious_Fish]

I just got back from doing a little backpacking on the Black Forest Trail which is located in North Central Pennsylvania in the Appalachian Mountains. I kept my eyes peeled for wildlife and I saw a few Black Vultures, Ravens and a Common Garter Snake. I was located in Black Bear country but all I found were the signs of them like ripped up stumps and claw marks on trees. But what made up for not seeing a bear was when my friends and I decided to take some shots of a vista. In the rocks below us I caught a glimpse of this guy sunning himself out on a ledge. It's a nice looking yellow phase Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). I climbed down toward him to get some pics and when I got within 20 feet of him he started to rattle but only decide to retreat when I got about 10 feet from him. He allowed me to do a brief photo shoot. Enjoy the pics!

 

[davo]

What a beautiful view, looks like a cool trip...
and on to the meaningful stuff... Fair play, you promised me a rattlesnake picture and you kept your word! Really happy you found me a timber too, that makes it sweeter! Great shots mate, what a beautiful species.
What camera are you using now?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

What a beautiful view, looks like a cool trip...
and on to the meaningful stuff... Fair play, you promised me a rattlesnake picture and you kept your word! Really happy you found me a timber too, that makes it sweeter! Great shots mate, what a beautiful species.
What camera are you using now?

Lol that's right davo, I'm a man of my word! It was a really nice place to hike. It probably would have been more enjoyable if my pack didn't weight 50 lbs. The camera I'm using right now is a Canon PowerShot SX100IS digital. It takes some pretty decent pics.

 

[jason longboard]

awesome dude!

 

[Vicious_Fish]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vBj4B6g9o2U

 

[davo]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vBj4B6g9o2U

Sounds so happy to see you! Indeed a man of your word you are, I shall have to find you another mission lol. Did you spot it or hear it first? You're right it takes some decent pics. I think it was a timber, on life in cold blood there was a large segment on them trying to get them on camera hunting, was pretty good. Reminds me, still haven't bought the dvd...

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Sounds so happy to see you! Indeed a man of your word you are, did you spot it or hear it first?

Well I saw it first and as I got closer to it, it began to rattle. I was surpised at how quickly it noticed my approach. Like I said it began to rattle when I was still 20 feet away from it. I think it might have been sunning for a while because it was a very alert snake. This is only the second Timber Rattler I've ever come across. Both times it's been yellow phase ones. I kind of figured I'd see one of the dark phase ones because I was pretty far north.

 

[davo]

I like the yellow phase personally... wish all snakes had an alarm system of that range... would make them all so much easier to find

 

[Veacane]

It's places like that, that make it worth living in Pennsylvania, just avoid the swamps.

 

[jason longboard]

Well always be looking anyways,me and my girl stepped over a mojavi green and it sounded off after the fact.Lucky us,lol.