Snakes I don't hate

[AlanK]

Alan, I understand from a post on the SGMDF board that a snake just like that is needed to attempt to clean out the pipe at the spring at Kelley's Camp -- provided it hasn't been used previously!

Yeah, I wanted to make sure I showed a clean one. You do not want anyone using the one that lives in my garage!

[Cy Kaicener]

Two years ago I saw a king snake at 7500 feet on Skyline

[Ellen]

Howdy Z,

I agree with St. Florian -- rosy boas are my favorite snakes. I've seen and held two in Box Springs. Actually moved them off the trail so no one would hurt them. Saw a rubber boa as we were dropping down to Muir camp in the JMT hike last year.

I've seen gorgeous black pacific diamond back rattler on Deer Springs happily lying on a rock to the left of the trail in the brushy section. We were warned by hikers descending. Good rattler -- we left it alone, it left us alone.

Then there was what looked a Mojave green (hybrid maybe?) on the Fuller Ridge trail that I almost stepped on in 2008 Sucker was lying directly across the trail in the shade of pine trees Right as I was going to step on it with my right foot (the good ankle), it coiled and rattled. Don't which came first, Karin's scream or the rattle. I did, however, discover that I have selective fast-twitch muscle fibers -- somehow instantly ended five feet back up the trail

The most recent was a really big yellow-ish fellow on Jo Pond.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[neverwashasbeen]

I don't hate any of the ones I've seen so far this year, although circumstances could certainly change that. Distance is a wonderful thing when you just want to look. Here's my sightings in the past three months.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39701325@N05/4800339445/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39701325@N05/4800339499/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39701325@N05/4800339549/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39701325@N05/4800467587/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39701325@N05/4801101932/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39701325@N05/4800469057/

[recordalley]

It was about 6 years ago that i saw the king snake at the tram. He was more beautiful than the picture, probably just shed & was really shiny.

[tinaballina]

As long as there are no spiders and/or spider webs i am good. i will protect you zip.

[EMan]

No reason to hate this one, it was pretty docile.
Road kill....

[Hikin_Jim]

As long as there are no spiders and/or spider webs i am good. i will protect you zip.

Just drop your DWA paperwork on any offending critters. That'll kill 'em good.

HJ

[kd]

This post reminded me a a story that happened in early June.

I was driving home about sunset and a guy was in the middle of the quiet little road I live on. He said that he had just picked up a little California King and he showed it to me. He went on to extoll the virtues and qualities of the California King and asked if I would set it free on the back of my 3 acres --well away from any cars--- to keep it safe.

I said OK and right after that my little girls came home and we spent some time looking at the little snake and put him in a very safe place near some boulders on the edge or my property.

Just by happen stance about two days later, I walked out of the front door and was watching some soaring hawks above, when suddenly I see a hawk fly up from the canyon near the boulders. I was amazed he had come so low---- then I realized he was carrying the little California King snake.