An exciting evening walk

[Shutterbug]

My wife and I often walk in the evening so we can watch the Arizona sunset. Tonight we were walking in our favorite wash (dry creek bed) when I heard that distinctive rattle. I jumped backward just as the rattler struck. He missed.

For those who do not hike in the west, the black and white stripes near the rattle identify it as a Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake.

[Cro-Mag]

Phew, glad you're ok! Nice photo for the memory though.

[futureatwalker]

Great photo - he looks mad! Don't the snakes usually try to avoid people?

[HikerMom58]

Whoa... glad you are ok. A friend of mine just got bit by a pygmy diamondback rattlesnake on the Florida Trail a few weeks ago. Here's a pic of it.


My friend is OK after a rather long hospital stay.

[1azarus]

well, glad you are ok, and think you need to reference your other thread about hiking into old age. maybe we need to stop hiking when we can't hear the rattle or can't outjump the snake!!! ...nice move, old man.