Serpent Encounter

A gentle dousing by Spring rains followed by several days of warm temperatures encourages the first prairie serpents into cautious reconnoiters of their realm. They’re hungry. It’s mating season. One of the slithering denizens has emerged from its burrow and attempts to shake off winter lethargy with an early morning sun bath. The colubrid chooses a Llano Estacado trail as a place in the sun. It’s alert, yet motionless. The only sign of life is its tongue as it tastes the air. The red earth of the prairie environment complements the coloration of this pituophis catenifer sayi. For added deception of predators it entwines with a vegetation skeleton, which serves to break up its outlines against the barren ribbon of trail soil.

I easily identify Bullsnakes. I understand their habits. I know they are non-venomous. Yet every encounter delivers a chain reaction of primordial awe and fears. Adrenaline peaks my senses and enlivens every muscle fiber. Cooper prefers to give snakes a wide berth and watches my photographic endeavors from a safe distance. Throughout our encounter the reptile abstains from reputed defensive posturing and aggressive strikes. I bid farewell with a whisper of "adiós amigo" and we part ways.


© Ilija Lukić 2012

Pituophis Catenifer Sayi (Bullsnake)

Serpent Encounter

Bullsnake Trail

Wide Berth For Snakes (Cooper)

Corona De Oro

Exit Stage Right (Bullsnake)

First Spring Outing

Lethargic Advance

Here's Lookin' At You Kid

Adiós Amigo