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Oh, Frank. I’m so sorry. I think the last time I found a snake in the road I promised to post a warning at the top of the page. I’ll try to remember next time as a courtesy to folks with ophoidophobia.
As far as this little guy is concerned though, it’s a totally harmless garter snake. As I was telling Bill, I kept them as pets as a child. We’re really fortunate in the Pacific Northwest, as our only poisonous snake is the western rattlesnake. You can’t mistake them.
And as prudent as your advice might be, I’m sure I’ll keep trying to rescue any living snake I find in the road, even rattlesnakes (though I’d find a very long stick to nudge it off). There are too few snakes left, and they need our help.
It is great to see you back on the bike but please NO MORE SNAKE PHOTOS. And when you see one don't pick them up. If they are stupid enough to lie in the road and get hit by a car then let them do so and decrease the population. I'm not a snake lover as you can tell. :) How big was the one in the photo?
4 years agoI think it must be too. The only similar ones aren’t really in range here.
4 years agoYup. Quite common in the northwest, at least as far as snakes go any more. When I was a kid I used to collect them and keep the poor things as pets in a fruit crate with a mesh screen.
4 years agoCommon garter snake. Your area they are more colorful than here in southwest Ohio.
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/docs/LivingWSnakes.pdf
Did a bunch of searches, and it most closely matches grasshopper sparrow. But it has that dark streak under its bill, which was in no photos I found.
4 years agoYup. No problem. Ready for more!
4 years agoSo, I take it your leg did all right.
4 years agoWhat a great ride! Such a beautiful area.
If you end up back in Prairie City, we recommend Chuck's Little Diner. And Oxbow Saloon has great pizza.
According to Google Maps, both places have takeout available (??)
I do remember when we were there the grocery store and the restaurants were only open certain days each week, so call ahead if you want to include foodstuffs in your next visit.
We camped under the picnic shelter there .. nice little park!
4 years agoWoohoo! Great to see you back in the saddle.
4 years agoThis makes my morning! Every time I watch a bird sing, I get lost in the experience.
How lucky to see the call of a meadowlark!
It’s odd, alright. I researched this building and couldn’t find anything more descriptive. It’s just the John Day Bank Building.
4 years agoCorrect. In my opinion. I’m not surprised, either. I’d expect nothing less from someone who knows their immature antelope jackrabbits from their cottontails.
4 years ago
True. I’d stay away from crocs and gaters for sure; likewise iguanas and lizards in general - as if lizards would ever let you get close enough to touch one. They’re naturals at social distancing.
4 years agoAnd, I’ll stay away from rattlers now too. Rachael read my comment, threw a fit, and made me promise not to scoot rattlesnakes off the road. An easy promise anyway - I’ve never seen a live rattlesnake in the road.
Without context, you haven’t got any way of judging how big this snake was. I always zoom in to fill the frame so that those that care to look can get the best view of them.