First Cottonmouth of the Season

Well, herping wasn't my goal for today's outing, but the birds weren't being as numerous as I'd hoped for this migration day on the coast. So some elderly folks notified me that the Cottonmouths had been coming to feed on the birds at our water drip again. Sure enough I had the snake hook on hand in my car for just such an occasion, knowing it might happen. So a birding trip turned into an educate the birders about herp event!

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All the happy birds that came back after the snake was gone :-)
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The VERY relaxed adult female Western Cottonmouth who was either gravid or full from eating the easy birds (I blame her for eating my first of season Cerulean Warbler)

And as for any education event, when the snake is polite enough to behave, I'm polite enough to offer my hands for support instead of a hook. DO NOT attempt during field herping unless trained and experienced!! (see my venomous post)

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Cheers, and happy herping and birding this season!

What a great find! Lovely birds too. Glad you got such a timely chance to educate. :gj:

Handling with no hook........balls
Side note, pretty awesome looking birds.

I grew up in Cottonmouth country in the Panhandle of Florida, and I've never seen one that was relaxed. All the one's I've run across were just the opposite :D

wow you have some cojones my friend. Watched a bunch of this get milked last week first hand. they were feisty!

Heh, thanks for everyone who complimented my balls. Appropriate since its a balls site right?

None the less, I've ran into many laxed venomous. Just takes that right one with the right personality. I had a cottonmouth go with me on some shows I did and he was the devil. On the other side the copperhead that traveled with me was a dream hot, super laxed and a great eater.

The most shocking part of all . . . I did not get sprayed in any way shape or form! I smelt my hands after it was all said and done expecting a gasping odor as is usually the case . . nope! Hand sanitize and go!

Also - the birds were really neat since they all lined up on the perch just above the drip where the cottonmouths hang out. From Top to bottom for those who want to know are:
Indigo Bunting
Painted Bunting
Prothonotary Warbler

Cheers!

Awesome pics. Love the Cottonmouth.