Happy Valley to San Pedro Valley 05/08

[timh]

This was a neat trip through Happy Vallley and linking up to a trail that took us over to San Pedro Valley and back to Benson. Had a good turnout and the scenery was beautiful.

Definitely a run to do again.

 

[timh]

The rattlesnakes were definitely out. Cam across the Az Black Rattlesnake and nearly stepped on another rattlesnake that the black on slithered right by. Not sure of the species of the grey one yet.

Can you spot both snakes in this picture?

 

[timh]

Another black rattler and he was not a happy camper.

San Pedro Valley

Kiley off on her own lunchtime adventure!

 

[Richie]

Very cool pics! I didn't know Black rattlesnakes even exist.

 

[timh]

Very cool pics! I didn't know Black rattlesnakes even exist.

According to most info on the interweb they reside above 6000ft usaully, but these were much lower. Only one I had seen previously was dead on Mt. Lemmon.

 

[a.mus.ed]

Next time we go backwards. Thanks for the great day, everyone!

 

[SAR_Squid79]

That place looks like the place where Wyatt Earp shot it out with Curly Bill in Tombstone!

 

[stolenheron]

awesome pics. i love rattlesnakes. catch those little buggers whenever i can while driving around.

 

[timh]

That place looks like the place where Wyatt Earp shot it out with Curly Bill in Tombstone!

It could be, there is an old west town movie studio right off the road going into Happy Valley.

 

[roverrocks]

Great pictures especially the rattlers. I had not heard of them either but have spent little time in the southern desert areas. We had a lot of Prairie Rattlers on my father,s ranch in Nebraska but they aren't near as cool looking as these Black Rattlers.

 

[SOAZ]

Great shots! I haven't seen a black rattler like those.
Gotta get down there and explore more! :sombrero:

 

[MaddBaggins]

That place looks like the place where Wyatt Earp shot it out with Curly Bill in Tombstone!

That was actually in Sabino Canyon, northeast Tucson.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Thanks for letting me tag along Tim.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Good link for the black rattler http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/07/27/arizona-black-rattlesnake/

It's been my experience, the rattlesnakes tend to get darker colored as you gain elevation, but you occasionally see some dark ones down lower.

 

[timh]

Thanks for letting me tag along Tim.

No problen, it was good seeing you again.

It turns out that the grey rattlesnake is a juvenile Arizona Black. They are born looking just like a prairie Rattler and slowly darken to become the black with yellow stripes.