Comments on: Indigo Snakes & Duct Tape

By: Owls at King Ranch

Owls at King Ranch — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:13:08 +0000

[...] One we had a pygmy-owl in the bag, we could pay attention to more frivolous fare, like the huge Texas Indigo Snake Jeff deftly wrangled out of the tall grass. You can see from the shot below how striking this snake is but you should really read Jeff’s account to see how impressive a five-and-a-half foot indigo snake really is. [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:07:03 +0000

I have to concur with BOTB – you looked like the second coming of Steve Irwin as you wrestled that beast out of the brush.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:56:34 +0000

Nice job of snake-wrangling, Jefe. I am always amazed by the depth and breadth of your general natural-history knowledge.

Add to that your ability to find the lyrics to “Burning For You” by Blue Oyster Cult in the wee hours of a Saturday night party and you’ve got the makings of a fine American.

BOTB

By: Bill Schmoker

Bill Schmoker — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:37:28 +0000

Most gnarly-looking snake, my friend! Better you than me grabbing that thing.

That duct tape looks like it belongs here: http://www.liketotally80s.com/neon.html

-Willy

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:41:36 +0000

I remember the first encounter I had with a Texas Indigo. A friend and I were driving along the border, somewhere between Piedras Negras and Del Rio if I recall correctly, heading for Big Bend. My buddy spotted an enormous snake crossing the road up ahead and, knowing my … trepidations … concerning snakes, decided to stop for a closer look. This particular snake easily stretched a third of the width of the two-lane road, but as he was heading away from us we got out and down on the pavement to take some pictures.

Just as I got down on my belly and began to focus my camera, the darned thing decided he didn’t want to cross that road after all. Next thing I knew, this slithering behemoth was headed almost straight for me. You’ve never seen someone scramble up and onto the top of a pickup so fast! Or heard laughter nearly as loud as my buddy’s. Eventually he let me know this guy was neither poisonous nor a man-eater. It still took me several minutes to unlock my legs enough to climb down and retrieve my hat and what little bit of my dignity remained.

Sounds like y’all are having a good time at the RGVB festival. Good birding, and enjoy your stay here in the Lone Star State!