Canebrake Confrontation

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.

​Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made...

Timber Rattlesnake coiled up to strike camouflaged in forest leaves. The timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake or banded rattlesnake Crotalus horridus, is a species of venomous pit viper endemic to the eastern United States. Was crossing a road in Greensboro Georgia on October 27, 2018.

Saturday, 1:37 PM - The “adder’s fork” is not only a potent ingredient in the witch’s brew, but a scary sight for most people any day of the year! Perhaps our over-the-top herpeto-phobia originated with that subtle whispering and fruity temptation dangled before our mother in Paradise. Or maybe it is just the thought of that stealthy, silent, venom-laced strike from the grass that makes the heart skip a beat.

But for the reptile enthusiast, the hairs raise on the back of the neck in excitement rather than fear when encountering those elusive adders. I had the privilege of a "canebrake confrontation"... a beautiful (yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!), three-foot Timber Rattlesnake near Greensboro, Georgia USA. It was slowly crossing the road on a chilly afternoon.

Much to my parent’s chagrin (for this robust rattler was near the entrance of their neighborhood), instead of repeatedly running him over, I helped him out of the road and snapped a few shots before coaxing him off safely into the woods. (There’s another lesson: always have your camera with you and ready!)

Greene County, Georgia USA
Today: partly sunny, with a high near 61. 
Sunrise Today:7:47 am
Sunset Today: 6:44 pm
Daylight Hours: 10 hours, 57 minutes (-1m 54s)
Moon: 90% Waning Gibbous