The next day started beside a swamp, the cypress still barren and grey and waiting for warmer weather. So were we, for that matter. The thermometer was down in the lower 40s at night and not expected to rise much above 70 during the day. With such unseasonably cool temps our prospects were looking somewhat doubtful. Walked around the woods and saw some encouraging signs, such as lizards basking on branches. At least a few herps were out, perhaps others would follow.
So we began flipping sheets of tin in the surrounding forest, hoping a patch of sun had convinced some snake it was a good place to warm up. Happily, at least one was persuaded, as we learned when Danny turned this piece and discovered a Southern Copperhead.
Danny also played a key role in finding our next snake, this time adding a touch of drama. We had moved on to another site, a sprawling wasteland of discarded appliances and piles of tin --- an environmental eyesore for people, but a sheet-metal spa for heat-loving herps. The three of us had spread out to distant corners of the dump when Ron and I hear Danny’s voice on our walkie-talkies: “Uh, guys, there’s a big Diamondback over here.” Off we run! Flying over broken glass (well, actually I tripped) all excited to see another of our top targets. We spot Danny and hear an angry buzz getting louder as we get closer. We arrive with a reverent “Wow . . .” and immediately press Danny for details. “I was going to flip this,” he began,
pointing to the remains of an ancient tailgate. Well, it seems he was so focused on that
perfect-looking piece in front of him that
he never noticed this 4' Rattlesnake right behind him! She was basking against a rusty appliance,
and when he stepped backwards in her direction --- within two feet! --- her
rattle went crazy. Danny spun around,
jumped about 20 feet in the air, caught his breath, then took in the sight of
his first
So Danny was on a streak. This was his first time herping the South, and he was doing quite well with the snakes. The roads, however, were another story.
First he got caught in a speed trap, and then he got caught in a real trap (where did that ditch come from?). Fortunately, we were able to get out from one of those and continue with our trip. Unfortunately, the cool weather seemed to be suppressing herp activity, and most of the remaining sites that day proved unproductive. That’s not to say our time was wasted. For example, we learned from Ron that once
there was a surprising number of Jews in rural
Wonder if Cohen liked snakes? Perhaps the Grunwald brothers weren’t the first Jewish herpers to check out that road. Finished the day amidst oaks and Spanish moss, exploring the ruins of an abandoned house. I turned a long piece of half-buried tin, and underneath lay a Copperhead coiled and composed.
Found one more snake, then called it a day as falling temps told us no more for now.
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