Under Water

[mikecatadjuster]

This afternoon I went out in the Gulf in my kayak out past the second sand bar. I tried to find a clear path with no jelly fish and exited my kayak. Ouch! There were countless jelly fish and no space between them and I got stung pretty good so back in the kayak I went.

Earlier in the day while in the water I had what I can best describe as a Pilot fish that kept hugging me and running into me and it kinda spooked me, making me leave the water. Well, on this afternoon occasion, I noticed several of those Pilot fish begin to surround my kayak and then a whole swarm of them. I noticed an entire school circling under me until I noticed something else.

It first appeared to be some of the dead, brown June grass that is more in the shallows, but something about it appeared to define itself differently. I looked closer and noticed fins, but the shape was not recognized as anything I understood. Upon closer inpsection it turned out to be three Nurse sharks with their noses meeting and their bodies going out away from the center.

I stayed above them, leaning my head over the side of my kayak and watching them. They appeared to be asleep, resting, whatever. I wanted so badly to get out and get a good look from the water, but the jelly fish were everywhere out there, leaving no clear path to exit my kayak. I was definately more afraid of them than the Nurse sharks.

But then, there was a shark about 10 feet away from me that slammed through the surface attacking something. I did not see it clear enough to guess the type or even get a good enough look for size. But it was pretty neat.

Does anyone have an idea when these jelly fish will get the heck out of here? They have been horrible all summer out there in the deep.

Btw, the reason I decided to go out a second time today was as I was leaving Robert Ellis street, from the stop sign down passed One Seagrove Place into the Gulf I noticed what appeared to be a wave out beyond the 2nd sand bar. I drove down and watched it for a while and never determined what it was. It wasn't like the normal bait fish thing. I read that the Tarpon were running through, which is why I went out the second time to see if it was Tarpon out there creating that commotion. I just don't know. But the shark thing was pretty neat. I love this place.

[sowalgayboi]

Keep up the grayt nature reports and get a waterproof camera!!! I'm sure at this point we'd be willing to take up a collection. ;-)

As to the jellies, they like warm waters. Until we get a significant rain fall (come on Fay) and the Gulf stays warm they'll stick around.

[Truffle Anne]

It first appeared to be some of the dead, brown June grass that is more in the shallows, but something about it appeared to define itself differently. I looked closer and noticed fins, but the shape was not recognized as anything I understood. Upon closer inpsection it turned out to be three Nurse sharks with their noses meeting and their bodies going out away from the center.



They were saying Grace.....

[mikecatadjuster]

This is the best I could do. I hope you can make something out. I actually put my camera under water on one, in a zip lock bag, but it did not come out. This one is from above the waters surface.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff228/mikecatadjuster/102_0241.jpg

[liquorqueen]

Hey Mike...what a neat thing to have observed. Kinda got your blood boiling a bit I would think. Anyway, I saw on the news a few weeks back that there is a worldwide jellyfish epidemic, especially along the Atlantic coast up near NY and even over in Japan. Thought this was very interesting. And yes, this has been a very bad year for jellyfish, the worst in many. Keep up the good work with the camera!

[ASH]

My wife and I were out kayaking about a week ago and saw a Tarpon completely launch out of the water. It was 5 - 6 feet long and was awesome to see. We headed out to where it was, but didn't see it again. We too had large schools of fish maybe a foot long gather under our kayak and follow us in the shade of the boat.
Would have gotten spooky if a shark was to suddenly try to attack that school of fish. They were only maybe a foot under our boat.
You can buy polaroid cameras build for underwater use that are disposable. We have one with a few pics left on it.
Great story!

[bluemtnrunner]

You need to rig up an underwater viewer. Just take a bucket or a cardboard milk carton cut off the top and bottom, cover one end in plastic , make sure you leave enough excess to glue it or rubberband it on really tight and high up. Stick it in the water and you can see straight down as if you were in the water with a mask on. You can buy these things but as kids we always made them.

[dunelover]

I have decided you are seeing some pretty cool things in your short time in sowal. It sounds like your are enjoying every minute of living there. Thanks for the stories, keep em coming. And good luck w/ the book.

[ASH]

You need to rig up an underwater viewer. Just take a bucket or a cardboard milk carton cut off the top and bottom, cover one end in plastic , make sure you leave enough excess to glue it or rubberband it on really tight and high up. Stick it in the water and you can see straight down as if you were in the water with a mask on. You can buy these things but as kids we always made them.

:lolabove: My wife and I talk about making one of these. I know it would be a big help in seeing what is down there.

[mikecatadjuster]

Today, rather than buying a disposable camera, I purchased an enclosure for my camera from Yellowfin in Seagrove. Today I caught a fish that didn't fare well after the catch. I released it and it soon became apparent that it would not make it. A brown pelican made a meal of it within 10 mimutes of its release though, so the food chain took care of it.

I saw Tarpon today too, and had one boiled under my bait. But while in the water I witnessed a cool thing. There were two crabs in apparent combat. The larger one would pursue the smaller one and try to catch it with a left cross but the smaller one was shifty and swift. I felt bad for the smaller one, until I noticed that after it got away each time it would go in again for more. I wondered what the heck was going on.

Then, it turned its back and went into the bigger one, which subsequently huddled over the smaller one and kind of piched it a little. I assumed I might be witnessing a sexual act (for full disclosure, I was in no way turned on) but I'm not sure (about the act, I mean). If it was intercourse, it ended rather quickly. These crabs were the whitish looking ones, not blue crabs.

I also saw a flounder in shallow water. Just its head and mean ass teeth were on display, and its eye. The water was very calm today and if I had my light with me it would be a perfect time to go gigging.

Oh, and I found a dead scorpion under my kayak seat cushion. I suppose it got under there when I had it stored on the side of my house and I smashed it when I sat down. I will give it to my son along with a neat little Coastal Dune Snake that I found dead months ago.

The beaches are peaceful now aren't they? So peaceful.

[ASH]

When we walked this morning, there were several smaller sting rays patrolling the surf line. Also had either hardtails or ladyfish working the edge of the surf, pushing masses of minnows up into the wash and then catching them as they came back down. They were working together with the seagulls who were scooping them right off the sand, forcing the minnows to retreat to the deeper water where the fish were waiting. Must have been a thousand fish all about 10 inches or so long. Fascinating.

[sowalgayboi]

Yep, that's crab sex. Make sure you type or speak clearly about that experience or your dating life is going right down the tubes.

[mikecatadjuster]

I walked the trails for about 30 minutes before the system makes its way in. Here is what I found.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff228/mikecatadjuster/102_0253.jpg

[sowalgayboi]

That sir was a pygmy rattler, good for target practive.

[Hans]

This pic is awesome Michael......how are the snakes in the Cassini swamp? Greetings from Hans and Elfi in Canada.

[Everytime]

I walked the trails for about 30 minutes before the system makes its way in. Here is what I found.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff228/mikecatadjuster/102_0253.jpg

Either you have a really good camera/zoom or you seem to have been dangerously close to that pygmy rattler! That makes me re-think riding my mtn. bike on the trails next weekend.

Also, that shot of the nurse sharks huddling is incredible; that must have been a cool site to see. You don't seem to miss these cool sites; I seem to remember you were on your kayak in late June when a manatee passed through...

[sowalgayboi]

He's just new, 3 more months and he'll be like the rest of us who just barely miss some of these marvels.

[mikecatadjuster]

Yep, that was me with the Manatee. And I don't have any great zoom lens, just a simple, cheap digital. I am use to Cottonmouth and know their tendencies, but was new to the pygmy. I did have one that struck at me vehemently, but they do a lot of gyrations. They kinda look like they have parkinson disease in the way they jerk around. They don't open their mouth and show themselves like the cottonmouth. This particular one pictured here did not strike. I removed him from the side of the trail and was thinking of bringing him home with me...long story.

Hey Hans and Elfi. No, I haven't seen a whole lot of snakes in Cassine of late. After the spring, where I saw plenty, including some great cottonmouth, there have been few. The other day I handled a pine or an oak snake, not sure, and it was very docile. I hadn't seen a pygmy for perhaps a month or more until today. The snakes have been rather dormant, almost as if they were hibernating away from the sun. In addition to this pygmy, I also came across two sticks that looked eerily like snakes and while I did not scream like a girl, I came close. Each was in the middle of the trail and each thick and fierce looking.

The pygmy was found on the Eastern Lake trail between the two little bridges and before the picnic table area. Btw, if the wind is bad tonight I would not be surprised if Eastern lake busts through. It is high right now.

[sowalgayboi]

My money is on all the lakes busting thru with all the rain we are about to get.

[mikecatadjuster]

It oughta be interesting. It would be neat to actually be on location as the process of the lake breaking through unfolded. I may head out on my bike right now to see, hear and feel the wind. Can I get a DWI on my bike?

Just joking. I'm perfectly fine.

Btw, I never step outside without a nightlight. I've had several pygmy in my yard (3) since moving here.

[sowalgayboi]

It oughta be interesting. It would be neat to actually be on location as the process of the lake breaking through unfolded. I may head out on my bike right now to see, hear and feel the wind. Can I get a DWI on my bike?

Just joking. I'm perfectly fine.

Btw, I never step outside without a nightlight. I've had several pygmy in my yard (3) since moving here.

Yes you can get a DWI on a bike, but I'd be more worried about wind gusts on a bike right now. Plus that rains coming at some point. I didn't even think to look at some of the lake levels. That dock on Stallworth lake is definitely going under though.

[mikecatadjuster]

Yes, the rain prevented my exit into the night. For those interested I thought I'd share another image, taken several months ago of a hognose snake. I happened upon two hognose snakes in a neat mating ritual. One slithered away but this one spread its hood in a defense mechanism. It's the first time I've seen this. It made itself look like a Cobra. It was exciting. The snake also hissed very loudly. Its third defense is to play dead if molested further. I don't like to molest animals so I allowed it to miantain some semblence of dignity.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff228/mikecatadjuster/391965-R1-045-21_021-1.jpg

[Johnrudy]

:bang::eek::yikes: Holy shiite! I received fair warning from a fellow Midwesterner but I just had to take a peek.

I just can't believe I lived the first 21 years of my life down there and never had the experiences some of you have recently had.

Snakes, yes. We knew they were out there, everywhere. A few times we'd see them crossing the road, or we'd accidentally rake across a few rattlers, or find them coiled on the patio. These were all common occurrences.

But I gotta say, ignorance was bliss for us most of the time. We played and traipsed thru woods all the time; swam in rivers, and never worried too much about snakes (however, I was always the one that was the most leery).

But the ocean, all we worried about were sharks when we swam out past the 2nd bar or a few crabs pinching your toes, or hopefully not step on a ray.

Really, if I knew THEN what I know NOW...

.

[ASH]

I have stepped on a crab and got bit good. Bled like a stuck pig. I had netted a big blue another time and transferring him from the net to the cooler, he got ahold of me and one side of the claw went clean through my fingernail and into the meat. :yikes:

I hope people understand just how hard a crab can bite. It is no little nibble.

[sowalgayboi]

I have stepped on a crab and got bit good. Bled like a stuck pig. I had netted a big blue another time and transferring him from the net to the cooler, he got ahold of me and one side of the claw went clean through my fingernail and into the meat. :yikes:

I hope people understand just how hard a crab can bite. It is no little nibble.

Most natives call it a nibble because blue crabs will pinch and run. If you ever encounter a stone crab watch out. They pinch and hold, that big old claw is like a hydrolic (sp?) vise. Trust me once you get one of those the blue crab is just a nibble. ;-)

[ASH]

Maybe all the walking in the sand has made my skin thin. Both times, both sides of their claws penetrated the skin.

[mikecatadjuster]

Yes, a blue crab can hurt and certainly draw blood. In fact, they don't always let go. But yes, if someone gave me the option of the two, I'd stay away from the stone crab.

As far as the snakes and encounters I've had, it should be noted that I spend a lot of time in the elements. In fact, I was just out even as the mist from Tropical Storm Kay is arriving. I saw a deer in the forest and a couple snakes. I've had some amazing experiences since moving here, but I've had plenty days where I've walked in teh forest for 4 hours or more. I've also trekked through swamps and kayaked in areas that are virtually untouched, even with all the activity and tourists in close proximity.

If I'd have spent as much time pursuing females as I have wildlife, I might have had my toes curled a few more times. But then again, these toes were made for walkin' :)

[Helping Hands]

Mike, I love your pics, but do you have a death wish??? I love the colors of the rattlesnake, unless you have a zoom, your to close!!!:D

[sowalgayboi]

Yes, a blue crab can hurt and certainly draw blood. In fact, they don't always let go. But yes, if someone gave me the option of the two, I'd stay away from the stone crab.

As far as the snakes and encounters I've had, it should be noted that I spend a lot of time in the elements. In fact, I was just out even as the mist from Tropical Storm Kay is arriving. I saw a deer in the forest and a couple snakes. I've had some amazing experiences since moving here, but I've had plenty days where I've walked in teh forest for 4 hours or more. I've also trekked through swamps and kayaked in areas that are virtually untouched, even with all the activity and tourists in close proximity.

If I'd have spent as much time pursuing females as I have wildlife, I might have had my toes curled a few more times. But then again, these toes were made for walkin' :)

I think you just summed it up as to the total effect from the "storm". :floor:

[Miss Kitty]

Mike...I like it so much better when you romance nature rather than women. :biggrin:

[mikecatadjuster]

Mike, I love your pics, but do you have a death wish??? I love the colors of the rattlesnake, unless you have a zoom, your to close!!!:D

I don't really think I'm too close. You have to remember, I have a digital and I reach down and take the shot rather than having to look through the viewfinder with my face nearer (with my 35 mm) I suppose if they strike they could get my fingers that surround the digital camera. But I can kinda tell when they are about to strike. Well, the first pygmy that I found did surprise me, but he came up a few inches short, thankfully. Now I think I know a little more about their temperment and how they position themselves before they're about to strike.

If I come across an Eastern I will use the zoom a little, since approximately 40% of their biting victims, if fully 'venomated', die. I don't know how the statisticians figure out which ones are fully injected, but I've read that in several places.

The snakes actually don't have all that good of range, and at 40, I'm still pretty quick :D

[mikecatadjuster]

Mike...I like it so much better when you romance nature rather than women. :biggrin:

Oh, no. Wait till you see those pictures :funn:

Just teasing. Actually, so do I. I have always preferred being out in nature and observing its gifts than most anything. Yesterday as I walked in the woods across from Deer Lake SP, and as the wind rustled through the trees and shrubbery, I stopped and listened. It was as if I was being placed in another time, when my survival necessitated an intimate knowledge of the woods.

The colors struck me. The greens were varied and the shadows that existed between them whispered to me. I heard cracks on the forest floor and wondered what was. I wondered if it were an armidillo who nosed itself along the ground, looking for something beneath the resting leaves, clumisly searching with no idea that I was present. I wondered if it was a coyote, oblivious to me as the wind helped to conceal my scent and sound. I wondered if it were a gopher tortoise, trudging along, or a big Eastern Diamondback pulling its massive weight over impediments.

Yet I saw nothing but shadows. Nothing but hope. Perhaps it was only the wind that focused my eyes into the space where I could not see. But as I stood still, my only movement the slighest of breath, I felt myself dissolve into the surroundings. I lost all feeling of self and I was one with everything.

For a moment my soul rested among the pine that swayed in the breeze. I looked to the sky and back down to the forest. Most everything was rooted to the ground. I knew I would be leaving soon, back to the walls and cabinets and fridge and television. But these trees would be there until they cracked and spit fire and decended to lay. Their final place, to rest and decay and replenish.

And I was witness.

[sowalgayboi]

I don't really think I'm too close. You have to remember, I have a digital and I reach down and take the shot rather than having to look through the viewfinder with my face nearer (with my 35 mm) I suppose if they strike they could get my fingers that surround the digital camera. But I can kinda tell when they are about to strike. Well, the first pygmy that I found did surprise me, but he came up a few inches short, thankfully. Now I think I know a little more about their temperment and how they position themselves before they're about to strike.

If I come across an Eastern I will use the zoom a little, since approximately 40% of their biting victims, if fully 'venomated', die. I don't know how the statisticians figure out which ones are fully injected, but I've read that in several places.

The snakes actually don't have all that good of range, and at 40, I'm still pretty quick :D

Blood tests at the autopsy (sp?).

[ASH]

Holy Cats Mikecatadjuster, nice writing!
I kept expecting to read how you were in mid-air between snake fangs and that tree branch about to make contact with the top of your head during your "conscience" moment and we would all laugh like mad.

Riveting....really. Been there, done that. literally.

I have pics to prove it when I was on the trail way up by Canada stalking an owl that had recently alighted a fresh blanket of snow to remove a mouse from the foodchain. (snap) Not a sound during the entire event. I slowly crept up on the owl, now perched on a dead limb, which had just swallowed the mouse whole and was captivated at how it eyed me (snap) as perhaps I could be next....not a care in the world. (snap...snap) Closer...(snap) and then suddenly it spread its wings (snap) and in an instant, I again was the only one on that trail, with only the crunch of fresh fallen snow underfoot as company.

Maybe a good thing that everyone doesn't understand the draw of being alone in nature.....or we never would be.

[mikecatadjuster]

Good point Ash, that in a way its better that more people don't feel the way we apparently do about nature, otherwise the outdoors might resemble yet another theme park. In fact, when I went to Yellowstone, in a few areas, I felt that way. There were a few features, if I'd encountered them by myself, walking upon it unexpectantly, would have been mind blowing. But the fact that it was partitioned off and seemingly had a l stadium of onlookers made it seem as if it were not natural at all. It made the entirety of it seem man-made.

Yesterday I went into some deep, deep stuff and was caught in the heavy rain. I was actually lost for a while, having followed one 'game trail' after another. I had to walk through some thick brush, no trail at all, before I found my way. I came out on 30-A in a totally different spot in the pouring rain and know passers-by in vehicles had to wonder. But as my shirt and pants clung to my wet body and as I opened my mouth to take in fluids from he sky, I knew why I was there.

And Ash, thanks for the compliment on my writing. It would be great to write a book based deep in nature. In fact, I'd started one a while back and actually wrote another that I didn't publish that had a lot of scenes set in nature. Anyway, thanks for communicating that to me. One thing that never goes out of style, a kind compliment.

[Landlocked]

I came out on 30-A in a totally different spot in the pouring rain and know passers-by in vehicles had to wonder.

So you were that guy peeing (http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=24000&highlight=taking+crunch)on the bike path on 30-A.

[mikecatadjuster]

So you were that guy peeing (http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=24000&highlight=taking+crunch)on the bike path on 30-A.

Capital 'No'. But you do have an active imagination :clap:

[jd]

Oh, no. Wait till you see those pictures :funn:

Just teasing. Actually, so do I. I have always preferred being out in nature and observing its gifts than most anything. Yesterday as I walked in the woods across from Deer Lake SP, and as the wind rustled through the trees and shrubbery, I stopped and listened. It was as if I was being placed in another time, when my survival necessitated an intimate knowledge of the woods.

The colors struck me. The greens were varied and the shadows that existed between them whispered to me. I heard cracks on the forest floor and wondered what was. I wondered if it were an armidillo who nosed itself along the ground, looking for something beneath the resting leaves, clumisly searching with no idea that I was present. I wondered if it was a coyote, oblivious to me as the wind helped to conceal my scent and sound. I wondered if it were a gopher tortoise, trudging along, or a big Eastern Diamondback pulling its massive weight over impediments.

Yet I saw nothing but shadows. Nothing but hope. Perhaps it was only the wind that focused my eyes into the space where I could not see. But as I stood still, my only movement the slighest of breath, I felt myself dissolve into the surroundings. I lost all feeling of self and I was one with everything.

For a moment my soul rested among the pine that swayed in the breeze. I looked to the sky and back down to the forest. Most everything was rooted to the ground. I knew I would be leaving soon, back to the walls and cabinets and fridge and television. But these trees would be there until they cracked and spit fire and decended to lay. Their final place, to rest and decay and replenish.

And I was witness.


Ok, mikecatadjuster, if you were in my Language Arts class, I'd have to give you an A+ for this!! (Of course, no 4th grader would be writing like this!)

I just have one question for you....how do you adjust cats!!!???? :blush::biggrin::blush:

[mikecatadjuster]

Ok, mikecatadjuster, if you were in my Language Arts class, I'd have to give you an A+ for this!! (Of course, no 4th grader would be writing like this!)

I just have one question for you....how do you adjust cats!!!???? :blush::biggrin::blush:

CatAdjuster stands for 'Catastrophic Adjuster' which I did for Allstate. Just to clear up any misunderstandings :D

[jd]

Well, shoot.....I was hoping to learn all about cat adjusting since most of 'em I've run across need all kinds of adjustments.....especially of the attitude!!! ;-)

[mikecatadjuster]

Here is one that I just ran across on the trail. It is the smallest pygmy rattler I've seen yet. I had stopped on the trail and was looking over the trees at One Seagrove Place. Just as I was about to put my next foot forward and get on home, I looked down and saw this little pygmy. I noticed how the line running down the back of this one is not red like the other. I'll include down below another picture, although blurry, will show just how small this snake was, pictured next to my phone.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff228/mikecatadjuster/102_0263.jpg

Btw, this one struck at me a number of times. It was kinda cute. I wish I could pet these little f*****s, but they are so rude.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff228/mikecatadjuster/102_0264.jpg

[sowalgayboi]

Okay, I always thought it was mik-catad-juster. :lol:

Seriously though, why do you think they call them pygmy rattlers? ;-)

[mikecatadjuster]

Okay, I always thought it was mik-catad-juster. :lol:

Seriously though, why do you think they call them pygmy rattlers? ;-)

Pygmym I know. I know. I've seen probably more than 15 since moving here in February and the first one I saw was about 24 inches long and big. At the time I thought it was somewhat small, but come to find out, it was at the big end of the spectrum. But this one today was just tiny. I saw another about the same size. The size of a pencil in length and girth.

I'll tell you, this one today kept snapping at me. I know wasp stings hurt like heck. I wonder how its bite is relative to a wasp as far as the initial pain. I know the lingering affects can be downright horrible. I just wonder about the initial rush of chemicals running through you.

Btw, I was meaning to ask you about your name. Kinda catchy, but I think I'll stick with mine :D

[AAbsolute]

I walked the trails for about 30 minutes before the system makes its way in. Here is what I found.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff228/mikecatadjuster/102_0253.jpg

Yesterday in Watercolor I saw a snake about 4 or 5 feet long and 3 inches wide. It was rather tan with dark brown or black rings. The rings were probably 2 inches wide and continued down the whole length of the snake. I never saw a snake like this and I can't find a picture of one on the net. Do you know what it might be?

[ASH]

There are several threads on here regarding snakes and contain photos. A search for threads about snakes will likely find what you need.

[ASH]

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/Venomsnk.htm

Here, I borrowed this link from another thread that SWGB had posted it on. You should find your snake there.

[mikecatadjuster]

AAbsolute it is very difficult to go off of a description to determine the snake you saw. But it coud be one of many kinda of water snakes. It could also be a pine snake. I saw an unidentified snake as I came out of Angelina's parking lot a couple days ago. I think it was a black racer. I also was told by a neighbor that a black snake was trying to crawl up the wall of my house. I'll bet it was a black racer, which is a climber.

Whatever the snake was that you saw, it does not sound like a posionous variety. Thanks for sharing. It is interesting to hear about snake encounters in this area. Keep them coming and I'm sure I'll have more snake pics to come.

[AAbsolute]

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/Venomsnk.htm

Here, I borrowed this link from another thread that SWGB had posted it on. You should find your snake there.


Thanks SWGB and ASH for their help. I think I found the snake on the list and it was termed Nerodia fasciata fasciata. If it was this type it sounds like it may have been a record holder for its size.

[Miss Kitty]

Pygmym I know. I know. I've seen probably more than 15 since moving here in February and the first one I saw was about 24 inches long and big. At the time I thought it was somewhat small, but come to find out, it was at the big end of the spectrum. But this one today was just tiny. I saw another about the same size. The size of a pencil in length and girth.

I'll tell you, this one today kept snapping at me. I know wasp stings hurt like heck. I wonder how its bite is relative to a wasp as far as the initial pain. I know the lingering affects can be downright horrible. I just wonder about the initial rush of chemicals running through you.

Btw, I was meaning to ask you about your name. Kinda catchy, but I think I'll stick with mine :D

:shock:...you may be officially on your own now.

[Everytime]

Yesterday in Watercolor I saw a snake about 4 or 5 feet long and 3 inches wide. It was rather tan with dark brown or black rings. The rings were probably 2 inches wide and continued down the whole length of the snake. I never saw a snake like this and I can't find a picture of one on the net. Do you know what it might be?


As Steve Earle would say, "You better stay away from Copperhead Road."

[Everytime]

He's just new, 3 more months and he'll be like the rest of us who just barely miss some of these marvels.

I'm starting to believe he doesn't miss anything. He follows game trails through outback trails in the pouring rain. He takes intimate portraits of venomous serpents on said trails where I ride my mountain bike without considering their presence. If anyone can document the rumored black bears or FL panthers of remote parts of Walton County (or perhaps some new coastal Bigfoot/Yhetti/Abominable Beach Bum creature which we need to substantiate), it will be miskecatadjuster. He will be in the vicinity on a kayak or mountain bike with a digital camera in his possession and post it for all of us to see.

[seagrovegirl]

Pygmym I know. I know. I've seen probably more than 15 since moving here in February and the first one I saw was about 24 inches long and big. At the time I thought it was somewhat small, but come to find out, it was at the big end of the spectrum. But this one today was just tiny. I saw another about the same size. The size of a pencil in length and girth.

I'll tell you, this one today kept snapping at me. I know wasp stings hurt like heck. I wonder how its bite is relative to a wasp as far as the initial pain. I know the lingering affects can be downright horrible. I just wonder about the initial rush of chemicals running through you.

Btw, I was meaning to ask you about your name. Kinda catchy, but I think I'll stick with mine :D

Since I have first hand experience with a pygmy bite, it hurts, but I thought I had gotten into some thorny briars. I was bit on the ankle and a short time later that entire side of my body felt like I had been hit by a car. Afterwards, I was sick with what felt like the flu for about 4 months due to depletion of red blood cells. That was about 6 years ago and if I get tired, I know it's time to rest and recover. If I don't the other creepy side effect
is the muscle spasms that feel like you have something slithery in your leg...this was the worst part phycologocally.(sic) .I felt like I had a snake in my leg. And, no, I did not get antivenom since I didn't realize I was snake bit....at first.

[sowalgayboi]

I'm starting to believe he doesn't miss anything. He follows game trails through outback trails in the pouring rain. He takes intimate portraits of venomous serpents on said trails where I ride my mountain bike without considering their presence. If anyone can document the rumored black bears or FL panthers of remote parts of Walton County (or perhaps some new coastal Bigfoot/Yhetti/Abominable Beach Bum creature which we need to substantiate), it will be miskecatadjuster. He will be in the vicinity on a kayak or mountain bike with a digital camera in his possession and post it for all of us to see.

While I was jealous I had a moment the other day. On Monday I was headed over to Seacrest when I saw something coming out of the woods on the south side of 98 near WaterSound Blvd. Turns out it was a pig, so after all this time of thinking I was just being had about the wild pigs I finally saw one. Granted it wasn't mother nature at her most beautiful, but it was one of those odd occurences.

[Everytime]

While I was jealous I had a moment the other day. On Monday I was headed over to Seacrest when I saw something coming out of the woods on the south side of 98 near WaterSound Blvd. Turns out it was a pig, so after all this time of thinking I was just being had about the wild pigs I finally saw one. Granted it wasn't mother nature at her most beautiful, but it was one of those odd occurences.

I do remember some threads about Seagrove wild hogs a few months ago, likely descendants of an old Grayton hog farm if I recall correctly. I had bacon and my wife had a sausage & cheese biscuit from Flip-Flops this morning, but I'm pretty sure they don't serve game hog, so the local you saw is probably still safe after this morning's breakfast.

[AAbsolute]

While I was jealous I had a moment the other day. On Monday I was headed over to Seacrest when I saw something coming out of the woods on the south side of 98 near WaterSound Blvd. Turns out it was a pig, so after all this time of thinking I was just being had about the wild pigs I finally saw one. Granted it wasn't mother nature at her most beautiful, but it was one of those odd occurences.

I can tell you for sure that if you get in a canoe or perow in the river swamps in freeport just North of Jolly Bay (Smokehouse or Simplers) after dark you can hear the hogs coming through the woods from 2 blocks away. Let 'em know you're there because if you startle them at the last second you'll have your hands full. The river swamps are full of them and other interesting Florida wild animals and they're easier to find at night.

[AAbsolute]

I've been interested in snakes since I was a kid. I had quite a few Retic's and Burmese too.

This is one I never heard of and I can't find any info to back it up.: An older local I know told me that venomous snakes will sometimes bite themselves if they are mortally injured. The thought was that it would poison anything that ate them.

Has anyone ever heard this? Is it true? Thanks:idontno:

[sowalgayboi]

:lolabove:

Sounds like an old wives tale to me. I could see them accidentally biting themselves in a fit after being injured badly, but I can't imagine they'd do it on purpose.

[Miss Kitty]

I've been interested in snakes since I was a kid. I had quite a few Retic's and Burmese too.

This is one I never heard of and I can't find any info to back it up.: An older local I know told me that venomous snakes will sometimes bite themselves if they are mortally injured. The thought was that it would poison anything that ate them.

Has anyone ever heard this? Is it true? Thanks:idontno:

Only if their name is Bond, James Bond.

[sowalgayboi]

Only if their name is Bond, James Bond.

Oh Kitty, Miss Kitty. :funn:

[mikecatadjuster]

I'm starting to believe he doesn't miss anything. He follows game trails through outback trails in the pouring rain. He takes intimate portraits of venomous serpents on said trails where I ride my mountain bike without considering their presence. If anyone can document the rumored black bears or FL panthers of remote parts of Walton County (or perhaps some new coastal Bigfoot/Yhetti/Abominable Beach Bum creature which we need to substantiate), it will be miskecatadjuster. He will be in the vicinity on a kayak or mountain bike with a digital camera in his possession and post it for all of us to see.

I wish I were still trekking through the woods and paddling in the waters, but I am actually out 'working' the storm. It's nice to see money actually going into my account, but I miss my new found Heaven. I hope I am missed just a little. I've enjoyed your feedback on these photos and the topic.

Who knows, I may see some interesting things. I've been to Dallas and now am in Mobile and who knows where tomorrow or for how long. All I know is I am missing some sleep.

Take care.

[sowalgayboi]

Take pics of some of the damage, it would be interesting to see.

[Everytime]

Who knows, I may see some interesting things. I've been to Dallas and now am in Mobile and who knows where tomorrow or for how long. All I know is I am missing some sleep.


Guaranteed wildlife sighting while you are in Mobile: Go to the East Bay Hampton Inn in Daphne (directly south of the causeways) and drive up to the north end of the parking lot. There is a small bayou that has some elevated boardwalk paths on the East side of the parking lot. If you are there in the morning or early evening, you will most definitely see an alligator or two. If not there, look west towards the Bay in the marsy area between the parking lot and the Bay.