Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Finally

We have been in Florida for six years and the place is full of snakes. Yet, we have never seen an eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Regis was at the Guana-Tomoto-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM NERR) today and was looking to photograph a spider and its web that he did not get in focus last time. I love the photo, but it is a tad blurry. While there, he saw an armadillo and was photographing it as it did its armadillo thing rummaging through the vegetation and dirt for grubs and other delicious fare. As Regis was stepping over a branch, he spied a rattlesnake on the other side. After he snapped the first picture, the snake was not pleased and rattled to show its discontent. Regis managed to get himself out of the situation, but I think he spent too much time getting a picture first.

In the meantime, I was photographing safer wildlife.

I was at the Palencia Boardwalk and there were a few ruddy turnstones on the pier. As I stood taking pictures, one came so close I could barely focus with my long lens. Head shot.

As I was leaving the Palencia Boardwalk, I found this squirrel eating a mushroom.

Lastly, there was fog over the Tolomato River this morning. This is one of my morning shots.

Lastly, for the locals. I will be selling photographs and notecards at the Bougie Market at First Look the Artisans Market at 162 San Marco Ave., in St. Augustine from 10-2 on December 12. There will be cookies and music and cool stuff from local artisans.