I was in Northern CA yesterday and we were exploring an old pioneer cemetery. We found this large oak tree that was low to the ground and went over to check it out. When we were moving on, I stepped over a low branch and my back foot struck the branch. My friend was like “Your foot was like an inch from that snake!”

I was like “What snake?” I hadn’t seen one at all, and neither had anyone else but when I kicked the tree the snake flinched which is what made my friend notice it.

It was a rattler.

It never rattled at me or rose up, just sat there. It was so calm I assumed it was a gopher snake. I even circled back, got down on my knees and maybe 2-3 feet from him got a closer look. It has been a while since I’ve seen one, and never this close. He was just chillin, he tasted the air a little bit around me and then ignored me. I came home and googled it and found out it was a northern pacific rattle snake.

While serious, apparently rattle snake bites are rarely deadly but it’s a trip to the hospital and one I am glad to have skipped.

I have seen rattle snakes before and they’re usually quite active and will rattle at you if you get close to them but I suppose it varies from snake to snake and situation to situation.

I was quite surprised and am thankful to Jehovah I didn’t get bit!