[ultimate_heading alignment=”left” el_class=”album-description” margin_design_tab_text=””]Snakes, in particular, are among the most feared and unjustly persecuted of all creatures on this planet.  From superstition, to poorly contrived anecdotes, the stories range far and wide, often containing little truth.  Of the nearly 3,000 snake species known worldwide, only approximately 600 are venomous.  Within those 600, less than 200 venomous snakes are even potentially able to harm humans.  Snakes are beautiful, mysterious, and fascinating!  Some species are brilliant tree-climbers (known as arboreal within the biology world), while others dig underground, there are yet others that thrive exclusively in saltwater and can travel extensive distances across open ocean.  Their ability to overcome extensive challenges without the luxury of legs is mind-boggling!  Snakes also happen to be some of the planet’s best natural rodent control.  Many species consume rats and mice which dramatically reduces the spread of rodent born illnesses such as Lyme’s disease, hantavirus, and bubonic plague, just to name a few.  Like it or not, snakes are our silent allies.  The only praise they require is being allowed to live.  All of the snakes within this album are completely harmless to humans.[/ultimate_heading]

Mountain Kingsnake

This Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake is one that I've been dying to see since moving here, and it finally happened! While hiking in the mountains, it slithered across the path mere feet away. What an exciting day!!! Even beyond his/her (didn't check) beauty and the environmental benefits, kingsnakes like this fellow will readily consume other snakes. This includes rattlesnakes, the venom of which they have a strong tolerance and possible immunity to.
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Garter Snake Glen

Following an obscene amount of monsoon rainfall, this normally-dry valley has transformed into a lush jungle. A black-necked garter snake rests along the trail. As a rule and thanks largely to their appetite for fish, worms, and amphibians, garter snakes are often found in close proximity to water.
Catalina Mountains, AZ.
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Eastern Milksnake

A beautiful baby milksnake coiled in a defensive posture. While on a brief visit to my Pennsylvania hometown, this little gem slithered right by, a thrilling sighting as I've only encountered a few during my 30 years of living there. Winfield, PA.
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Patch-Nosed Snake

First snake of the season! While hiking, this beautiful Eastern Patch-Nosed Snake slithered across the trail right in front of me. He was a very accommodating subject, laying on this rock for several minutes while I snapped away!
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Long-Nosed Snake

At night, especially after a good monsoon downpour, long-nosed snakes emerge in the sandy desert. They actively peruse the ground in search of lizards and invertebrates. Saguaro National Park, AZ.

Rat Snake Perspective

A black rat snake in her natural environment. Due to their body structures and means of movement, snakes are often frustrating photo subjects, making it hard to pass on the more "photogenic" individuals. Photo taken near Danville, PA, USA.
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Scaly Contrast

Behold the scale patterns of the most beautiful gopher snake I've met. Gopher snakes are among the Southwest's largest with lengths that sometimes exceed 8 feet. They're wonderful rodent control! Willcox, AZ.
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Mexican Hognose

Cute as can be, a little baby Mexican hognose snake uses his / her tail as a decoy. Hognose snakes have a variety of survival strategies ranging from this sort of behaviour to masquerading as a viper. In extreme situations, they will even void their bowels and "play dead."
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Sonoran Whipsnake

A Sonoran Whipsnake surrounded by his / her home. This beautiful creature was encountered on the doorstep of the dreaded Rosemont Mine construction. The 3000 ft deep orifice would cover 2.5 square miles, deplete untold gallons of groundwater, and imperil over a dozen vulnerable species. Fortunately, the destruction may have become indefinitely delayed due to a number of factors. This translates to a deep sigh of relief for species such as the endangered jaguar and ocelot, both of which are active in the adjacent Santa Rita mountains, in addition to numerous bird and reptile species. Photo taken near Madera Canyon, AZ.
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