I wish I could post iPhone videos on here. I have a couple of 15 second videos of both a diamondback and a bullsnake; both really ticked off! The hissing and the mimicry the bullsnake uses to model a diamondback is amazing!

Awesome Jmack!

What species of copperhead you got up there? Looks way different than our southern and broadbandeds.

Harris hawk and indigo interaction pic.......

Jmack -

Great photos, man. On the copperhead photo and the Orange belly water snake photo, where were the photos taken? Not Idaho on those two species, surely.

Jack

Chancey -

Woah! Way cool! That, sir, is astounding about the Harris hawks/indigo snake interaction! Fascinating! The only raptor/snake interactions I've seen are predation examples, with the snakes dangling from their talons in flight, or dead snakes as prey in the nests. I've also seen shed snake skins as "bling" in wren nests or tree swallow nest boxes.

Jack

Shed garter snake skins as nest 'bling' in house wren nest.

Awesome photo on the house wren nest Gulo! Thank you! I love wrens, I only get to see the splendor of the house wren in winter time down here.

I don't know what it is about the brains of rats, but many raptors down here seem to just eat the heads off rodents and let the micro-carnivores have the rest. I guess the brain is high in fat and energy or something I've also seen many mammals eat on the head, and leave the rest.

Lots of barn owls down here and often when you peek in on their nest there is a lot of dead rodents with only their heads eaten off. The Harris hawks down here often run in little posses together. I think they may be more intelligent than other raptors for that reason. Often, when I'm shredding or cutting hay on a big pasture, raptors will swing by and follow the tractor catching bugs and Sigmodons and such. I think the Harris hawks may be doing the same thing with the indigos as I found woodrats with their heads eaten off by the birds while the snake is working.

Indigos down here are homewreckers. They go into a mitten and everything comes out. You can listen for them too; as many of the little birds will tattle-tale on them. They have really good eyesight too! When I see one, I approach it slowly like a trapped skunk. Often, when I get about 20' away, they will raise there head up off the ground a good ways and look right at you, much like a coachwhip does. It can be quite intimidating on the really big ones. Usually, if I just hold back, they will start doing their thing again and working mittens and will let me follow along if the brush aint too thick. I often wonder if they are looking for rattlesnakes in the mittens; as I have never watched one eat a rat. I'm sure they do though. I think they are a lot like alligators too as far as being curious and attracted to thrashing noises. I've chased a lot of downed birds hunting quail and dove and one time I had a wounded scaled quail go down that was fluttering around in the brush. When I went to retrieve it, an indigo had beat me to him. Sure wish I had pics of that.

Had to post these for Mrs. Sharon showing the pretty blue metallic with the orange belly.

I'm 5'8 and this snake was longer than me. I'm guessing he was around 7'. Gentle old giant.

Thanks for that share of the big one, Chancey. The large adults were the sizes I always caught. I never did see small young ones. And you’re right about that stare . And their strength. I never held them tightly. But they would wrap my hand up and hold tight , like holding hands with a strong man. A steady pressure that assured one of confidence in strength. To see them in sunlight was like seeing the brilliance of a multi layered metallic coated classic muscle car .

I always made sure they were safely turned loose in a happy habitat. Of all the beautiful patterns of snakes in the world, the Indigo will always be my favorite. And their unafraid, calm nature….. Miss Sharon

Copperhead and water snake were both in South Carolina on the Francis Marion NF.
Not sure what this one was ,
Maybe young black racer?