After the rattlesnake sighting on Forest Road 419, I decided to head home. Then I recalled that Four Peaks Road would be full of wildflowers and I would driving right past the turn off. Once again, change of plan, more photography in the late afternoon light. Still nervous about seeing another snake, I was having trouble working up the courage to stop my vehicle, get out and photograph all the wildflowers and blooming cactus I was seeing. On a couple of occasions, I shot from inside my vehicle. I was using my Nikkor 105 mm 2.8 macro lens and decided to try using it as a telephoto lens. Still needing to hold it steady, I rolled down my window, rested my arms on the door frame, and turned on the VR.
Here is one of the images from that day from inside my vehicle. I saw this decaying Saguaro Cactus still standing tall with one arm raised, looking a bit like the Statue of Liberty.
Little did I know that shortly after this photo was taken I would see my first rattlesnake! It was a cool spring day, but obviously warm enough for rattlesnakes to come out and sun themselves. I was out shooting by myself on a forest service road known for Strawberry Hedgehogs and Sego Lilies. There were hundreds maybe thousands of Sego Lilies in bloom. However, it was very windy that day and trying to get a broad shot was extremely difficult. Macro photography is my passion, and I could block the wind for an intimate shot. I spent a couple of hours wandering around looking for shots with both flowers in bloom that would work for macro images. At the same time I was looking for rattlesnakes, knowing they would be coming out of hibernation soon at this higher elevation as the spring temperatures were rising.
Afterwards, returning to my vehicle it was time to eat the lunch I had packed. I knew further down the forest road there would be plenty of desert onions in bloom and would be great backlit in this afternoon sun. As I was driving down the road I saw a large stick in the middle of the road. WAIT!!!! That’s not a stick, it’s a snake! As I got closer I could see the black and white rings on the tail, it must have been at least 4 feet long. Believe it or not, this was the first rattlesnake I had seen in the wild even though I have lived in the Southwest for 27 years. I continued on my journey as I knew this was about a 2 hour drive from home and wouldn’t be returning to this location. Unfortunately, my camera gear was in the very back of my SUV and I did not get an image. I know, you were all hoping to see a photo of the snake!
I Don’t Smell Like An Onion
There was a couple enjoying the beautiful spring day and near them was a huge patch of Desert Onion in bloom along with Goldfield. I was determined to get a backlit macro image. So I got all my camera gear and started shooting away. Then the couple decided to leave and here I was on this forest service road all by myself (except for the rattlesnakes that were obviously out). I was becoming quite nauseous at the thought of a rattlesnake slithering up alongside me and biting me on the you know what! I had checked to see if there was cell service and there was, but still not a good place to be by myself. After a few shots I decided it was not safe for me to be at this location shooting on the ground by myself. Once again, I packed up my gear and headed home. Called my husband to tell him of my adventure and that I was leaving that location and may try another location that is known for plenty of wildflowers.
I decided to see what images I could make along Four Peaks Road. Getting out of my vehicle took quite a bit of courage. This area probably had more rattlesnakes than where I had just been. Going to this location was quite a success. You can read about the image I was able to make in my post A Different Photo….
So, that’s the story behind these two photos and my first rattlesnake sighting!
Different Isn't Wrong, It's Just Different 