“There’s a rattlesnake up ahead,” the man said, eying the camera I’d slung around my neck before I set off on my hike. “Just thought you’d want to know.”
“Really?” Wow. That hadn’t taken long. I’d been in Tucson about four hours, and already people were warning me about snakes. I adjusted the brim of my baseball cap so it blocked the afternoon sun, then tugged one of the straps of my backpack, sliding it off my shoulder. “I’d better change lenses, then. Where is it?”
The man’s wife grinned in understanding, her eyes mirroring the enthusiasm that must have been in my own, while the guy half-turned away from me and gestured up the narrow gravel path. “Up there about a hundred feet. On the left.”
I thanked them and nodded goodbye as they passed, then dug my telephoto out of my day pack, which was now hanging from the crook of my arm. I pushed my discarded lens into a thick sock to protect it, then gently rolled it into the bag.
Camera clutched in my hands tourist-style, I crept along the trail, alert for any movement, heart hammering in a rhythm that was half nervousness, half excitement. I passed several statuesque saguaro, then a cactus flower blooming a cheerful hot pink in the April sunshine, and made a mental note of both. I’d come back after I found the snake.
Only, there was no snake. I went my hundred feet, more, and…nothing. Disappointed at missing such an opportunity, I changed to my macro lens (for closeups) and strode back to the flower I’d seen. At least it had stayed put for me, posing prettily all the while.
Once on the trail again, I paused often for pictures. One such stop required a few illicit steps off the path, but the flowers were worth it. And just ten to fifteen feet further were more, clusters of huge lavender thistles and delicate cactus blossoms.
Already planning how best to photograph the flowers, I picked my way through the shrubs and rocks, then stopped short — three steps from a Western diamondback. It was coiled behind a paddle cactus, its tail hidden and silenced, its slitted eyes watching me warily.
Adrenaline washed through my paralyzed body in a cold tide. A cacophony of unprintable words screamed in my mind. Slowly, steadily, keeping one eye on the snake, I backed up, foot by careful foot.
Around a bend and out of sight I slid my pack off my shoulders, pulled it open with trembling fingers, and located my telephoto lens.
Pit viper or not, that snake was mine.
Excitement, fear, adrenaline — something had my hands quaking so violently I knew I’d never get a clear shot without help, so I yanked my tripod out next, opened it at top speed, and fastened my camera into place. I lowered the pack to the ground and swiveled back toward the bushes where the snake hid, then slunk forward, hoping that the rattler hadn’t fled, that I was not too late.
It hadn’t, and I wasn’t.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Click here or on picture for larger image.
You brave, brave woman. What a fabulous picture!
@Katie – Well, diamondbacks may be big, but midget fadeds are the most poisonous rattlesnake in the U.S., so you were doing pretty well to get a photo of one!
@Mizzz_K – Believe me, I was tempted! But then, there was no hotel for us since we were camping in the same area, so there wasn’t much escape.
@Jessie – I have no idea. Seriously. I didn’t have a backup plan. I was just hoping it would rattle if it planned to attack so I’d have enough warning to be able to run.
@Edie – So true! I will definitely remember it. I’ve done other dangerous things and haven’t had the picture evidence, so this is good.
@Kath – Thanks!
@Joanne – Don’t know about the bravery bit; I was shaking and nervous the whole time!
OMG! That picture is awesome! You’re not only an extremely talented photographer, but a brave one too! I’m so glad you got the shot! And your other pictures were beautiful! I especially liked the cactus blossom. 🙂
Wow-fantastic!!
You’re a very brave woman!!
Fantastic shot! You are WAY braver than I am!
Okay, first–you’re INSANE (and I say that in the nicest, most admiring tone imaginable) and, second, that is one freakin’ awesome shot! Good for you, Crazy Girl. 🙂
Nice shot.
I regret not having run for my camera when my kids discovered the garter snakes.
great shot. What sort of lens would you have needed to get a shot of me running screaming like a little girl down the path?
You are amazing!!! I’m deathly afraid of snakes. Yikes!!!
Ew! LOL No snakes for moi. Cool pic though.
I was looking at my very oldest posts, when I first started, and there was your name in my comments section. My only comment, actually. So I thought I’d stop by, almost a year later, to see what’s up. 🙂 Great new website! Congrats.