Friday, April 26, 2019

Verde Valley Campsite - Cottonwood, Arizona

The nights are peaceful in the Verde Valley, and summer temperatures are often pleasant in the semi-desert grasslands.


 

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Blue Wash

On the Blue Wash Trail, located near Cave Creek, I didn't see a rattlesnake until I almost stepped on it. I heard the rattle and looked down, and saw it about 6 inches from my hiking boot. But instead of biting me it chose to move away, and so did I. However, I then pursued it with my camera which angered the snake, but made for a good photograph. They are camera shy. Western Diamondbacks, have a hemotoxic venom, which means blood-damaging, but the chemicals in the venom target all sorts of tissues, not just blood.