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!
All the happy birds that came back after the snake was gone :-)
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)
Cheers, and happy herping and birding this season!
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