In search of the red rattler....Part III

Our day was filled with running road transects, hoping that something would be slithering out in front of us as we made a pass. We stop late morning after having no such luck to search out a rocky shoreline in the hopes we might encounter a Carolina salt marsh snake (Nerodia sipedon williamengelsi) - a valid subspecies endemic to coastal North Carolina and protected due to that significance. Luckily this section of shoreline was the only site any of us could receive phone service, something that for this trip was nice to be lacking. We were able to follow up with a couple of friends who were driving down for the day to join us in our search. We set out to rendezvous with them, and just as we were meeting up we happened upon a interesting find (to me at least!) - a nice rough green snake. This species is very common throughout its distribution and often feeds upon invertebrates. For me, this was the first live individual I'd ever come across. After taking some time to enjoy that moment, we piled in and headed north to a small private preserve to check out anything that might be out and about during the hottest portion of the day. After walking along the shoreline in the preserve and spending time out on the swampy boardwalks, we decided to head back south rather than battle the mosquitoes any longer - this area was saturated with mosquitoes, enough that any unattended portions of skin was an all you can eat buffet for the thirsty bloodsuckers.

Upon our return to our familiar back country roads, we decided to split up and utilize two vehicles to cover more ground efficiently. It was mid evening, and the sun was starting to get that golden tint, beginning to cast longer shadows with the passing moments. Rounding the curves amongst a managed pine stand the brakes bring us to a screeching halt. In front of us, just as we'd rounded the curve, laid a foot and a half of red pit viper crawling upon the road. I think you could have compared the moment to unwrapping presents on Christmas morning or the first day of spring break. For there in front of us, laid our red rattler....