While out hiking and enjoying the landscape in the Sequoia National Park this rattlesnake ended up coiled next to my leg.  We were near a waterfall so you couldn’t hear the rattles.  Lucky for me I was actually paying attention to the ground, saw the snake coil.  I jumped backwards away from the snake as fast and as far as I could.  Since my Uncle had been walking in front of me, it looks like the commotion scared the snake out of it’s den as I was walking by.  Given the cool weather it was surprising to see a rattler out.  This one was definitely sluggish which boded well for me.Read More