Don’t step on the snake!
Author: Beverly // Category: Alabama Photography, Alabama photographer, nature, wildlife
This week I made a trip on my scooter out to Blakeley State Park just north of Spanish Fort, Alabama. It is the site of a Civil War battle and a historic settlement but I went for the nature side of it. The 4,000 acre park is located along the Tensaw River Delta and not far from Mobile. It was a rocky ride down into the park on my bike so I carefully rode part of the way and then walked. I had taken my 70-200mm zoom mounted on the camera and carried my 50mm lens. As I mentioned in the last blog entry, be prepared! You never know how far from your shoot you may have to park.
The hike through the woods is up and down hills, across creek beds and boggy areas. There are nature trails all through the park going across breastworks and through battlefields of long ago. At the entrance to the park I’d been given a map but it wasn’t easy to determine directions in the densely wooded fields. I set off and made it to the river without serious incident. There I found a nice boardwalk along the river. Right away I spotted a white flower that was new to me. The wind had really picked up there on the water so I had trouble getting a good clear shot of the blossoms. I inched closer while looking through my zoom lens when I spotted a small green lizard hanging onto those flowers for dear life. It was rather comical to watch him clinging to the stem and blowing in the breeze. I was taking pictures as I moved slowly forward. He was watching me closing in on him but he was too busy holding on to smile.
I hiked through much of the park and was getting hot and tired. I decided to head back for my bike but was wondering if I’d have any trouble finding my way. I thought I spotted a familiar tree so ducked into the brush and trees. Well, I’d patted myself on the back too soon. As I got into the woods further none of it looked familiar. I was getting into some serious hiking now. It crossed my mind that I could easily slip and fall. I was more worried about my camera than my bones but either could be disasterous. I had my cell phone with me but I already knew coverage was spotty. Eventually I found the footbridge I’d taken to the river so from there on I was in good shape. As I came out on the loose sand road I was more concerned with finding my scooter than watching where I stepped. I’d already thought that I was lucky not to have run into a snake during all the tromping through the brush. Uh oh, I’ve done it now! I was too busy watching the path ahead and not watching where my feet went. I was standing on a snake!! Fortunately I got the tail end and not the mouth end. I quickly got off him and he just as quickly moved on. It was a black snake and therefore not a harmful one. I apologized and he didn’t seem to hold a grudge. I don’t know about his heart rate but I don’t think mine was elevated. I’ve had that experience before and it was a lot more serious the first time. Nevertheless, I was very glad to come to my scooter and head on out. Fortunately the slow, careful ride out on the rocks and gravel seemed shorter than the route in.
Photographers always need to be prepared. You never know in what situtation you may find yourself. And always watch where you are stepping. Don’t step on the snake!
Tags: Alabama Photography, hiking, nature, wildlife