We just returned from having spent memorial day weekend at my trailer in upstate New York. It's a semi permanent campsite, we set up the trailer for the season in spring and close it up in the fall, and we have been going there for about 25 years now. But I digress.

Anyway, I was standing right next to my woodpile, when my wife yells: "There is a snake in the wood!!" I turned around expecting a little garter snake or something, which are very common on the campsite. Instead I see a 3-4 foot grayish brown rattlesnake slithering across the top of the woodpile. It was within striking distance of me, but was not coiled up. Don't know what kind it was, but the rattles on the tail was clearly visible. I was not about to remain close for a more thorough investigation, though. These things can kill you if a bite is not swiftly treated.

So, I got the heck away from the woodpile, and grabbed a shovel for protection while watching which direction the thing decided to go. The campsite owner's son happened to be on my site at the time, also. Since the snake had not registered when entering the campsite as all guests are required to do, it was considered EWI - and he performed an expedited removal. I am not sure what kind of ban the snake ended up with, but at any rate this was one time I was happy to see quick removal proceedings with no appeals available. It was a little too close to comfort. It's the first time in 25 years I have seen a rattler in the campsite, so I hope there isn't a qualifying relative for a waiver. Good riddance, I say.

Did a little searching on the Internet afterwards, and found out that it most likely was a Timber rattler, as they apparently are common in New York state.

ugggggg shuddddddddddddddddddddddderrrrrrr!!!

Pleased your wife was looking out for you

Shudder!
I ran a rattle snake over the other day, it was crossing the road. Must have been about 4 feet long.
We usually chop the head off and bury it, stops the meat bees eating it and passing on the venom so I was told. We have a lot snakes and bees around here

How the hell do you get close enough to chop its head off without being in striking distance?
And what do you use? A spade? Machete?

If you or your husband have ever done this, you must need a wheelbarrow to lug those brass ones around in.

In a snake situation, I'd be wanting a 12 gauge 00 buckshot. Gives you a bit of distance too.

When the snake is dead.

Really????????? where are you?

Note to self: Avoid everywhere except this side of the Cascades!!

Found a 3 foot rattler dead in our pool a couple of weeks ago

Was it a diamondback? We have them in Morris County.

Glad you weren't bitten!

It could have been, but I think it's more likely that it was a Timber Rattlesnake. I wasn't about to go for a close examination.

Thanks, so am I!!

Last week when I was in the back yard cutting the lawn, I stopped for a quick rest and sat on one of our outdoor chairs. A bit later I saw a spider web and some egg sacs underneath the chair. Upon investigating, I saw that the web was home to a black widow and 6 egg sacs

I hope ABY figures out how WIFI works soon, he'd be right at home in this thread.

They have them in the woods in central VT as well. Loggers are thrilled.

Good job she didn't bite your bum.