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To: Zacs Mom
Not sure I want to know the story behind that photo! Suffice it to say that critters like that are the reason I pack a 4" stainless .357 with shot loads when I'm out and afoot in the boonies...

Seriously, were those varmints in that culvert of their own volition? And where was that photo made -- so I can stay far away from it?

72 posted on 02/16/2005 8:41:15 PM PST by TXnMA (Attention, ACLU: There is no constitutionally protected right to NOT be offended -- Shove It!)
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To: TXnMA
The photo is genuine ~ it is a BLM California photo titled "Desert rattlesnakes stay cool in a culvert" (see: http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/temp_issues/66_extra_rattlers.html)

I personally encountered a sight very much like this in the hills just outside of Salt Lake City. I was in a small park and a power crew working in the area had found the nest of vipers and brought it to my attention.


It was quite a sight and brought back a memory of when I was very young (around 14) on a visit to relatives in East Texas. A neighbor of my family kindly offered me the use of his horse so I could take a ride around the area. I was an experienced rider and welcomed the chance to view the country from horseback.

As I was returning from my enjoyable ride I decided the easiest and most direct route was to leave the non developed area and ride directly down the country lane. It was a paved road but not a well traveled one and the horse seemed comfortable walking down the shoulder. I hadn't gone too far when, to my surprise, a police officer pulled up behind me, flashed his lights and using the bullhorn ordered me and the horse to "pull over". I must have been breaking the law by riding a horse on the street, I thought and was immediately concerned about getting into trouble for doing such a foolish thing.

When the officer walked up to me he asked me where I had been riding. I told him I'd been off on the trails in the piney woods until just a ways back when I'd come onto the road to find my way back to my relatives house. His eyes narrowed and he asked me where I was from. When he found out where I was from (a long ways from Texas) he lit into me about the foolishness of riding in this country wearing tennis shoes instead cowboy boots!

Bless his heart - he lectured me for about 10 minutes about rattlers and such and why, even if I never intended to dismount the horse, it was important to be dressed for the activity and country you are in. He really made an impression on me and to this day, when I think of him, I smile and am thankful he cared enough to.

74 posted on 02/16/2005 9:23:40 PM PST by Zacs Mom (Proud wife of a Marine! ... and purveyor of "rampant, unedited dialogue")
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