Rattlesnake Encounter . . .

Summer is rattlesnake season! Watch where you step on the trail.

Everyday my Dad walks the trails that meander through his 20 acre ranch in Escondido, CA.  The hillsides are covered in sage and grass, newly grown after the 2007 Oct. fires swept through and cleared the hillsides for miles in every direction.

The music from his new ipod was playing as he hiked up a steep path yesterday morning.  The sun was shining and he was enjoying the scenery around him.  He almost didn’t see the long tail of the rattlesnake whose head was buried in a hole next to the trail.  Upon feeling his footsteps on the trail, the rattlesnake emerged from the hole to defend himself from this large human predator.

Here is a short video clip taken by my Dad on his Flip Video Camera.

http://www.desertusa.com/aa-walk2.MOV

For more information about rattlesnakes and what to do if you encounter one, visit DesertUSA.com’s Rattlesnake Information Pages. You can view more photos and videos on this page as well!  Thanks for stopping by to read Desert Road Trippin’.