Rattlesnake

I saw a rattlesnake on the trail this morning -- the first one I've seen since I started hiking six weeks ago. It's not a great picture, because I didn't have my camera with me, and I had to use my cell phone to take the picture. This is him -- curled up next to a rock, sunning himself. He was a very beautiful snake, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see him and take his picture, but it makes me a little nervous to know that they're out there, waiting to bite me.

I've been doing trail maintenance on the trails I use the past couple of days. There's one woman who maintains a mile and a half of trail by herself, and I thought she could use some help. It's very overgrown from the spring rains, but we're slowly hacking away at it and getting it back in shape. Good exercise -- as if the hiking isn't enough!