COMMENT 316718
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2012-09-06 07:48 AM |
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GREAT Pictures!! Thanks for sharing, bet you were happy to have had your camera :) You did a super JOB!
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COMMENT 316211
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2012-09-04 09:52 PM |
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I love these pictures! Thank you, thank you and, again, thank you!
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SPARKEY
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2012-09-04 08:03 PM |
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Magnificient and venomous! Thank you for sharing.
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BECKY
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2012-09-04 03:02 PM |
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Wow! Thank you so much for sharing both stills and video, as well as explanation. How cool that a group of you got to see it live. Awesome stuff.
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COMMENT 316009
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2012-09-04 01:59 PM |
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Super pictures. I was running via Tunnel Road to the Edison powerlines on the ridge top early that evening and saw the rattlers dancing to a small audience about 50 yards up from the gate. Obviously I gave them a very wide berth on the way past!
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COMMENT 316007
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2012-09-04 01:50 PM |
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I must be missing where I can vote for these as photos of the day. Awesome photos and lesson! Thanks!
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COMMENT 315953
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2012-09-04 12:03 PM |
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Buddy of OP: Lens is 18-105mm, using 105mm setting on a 1.5x crop sensor. We stood 8 to 10 feet from the battle arena, perhaps 8 people watching. The snakes were oblivious to us and others walking by.
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AQUAHOLIC
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2012-09-04 11:51 AM |
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Awesome video..thanks for posting!! I have only seen this once in all my years and zillions of miles hiking locally. It was awhile ago and I did not have a camera or phone with a camera/video. Very cool to learn what they are actually doing and why..thanks, I just love Edhat for that reason!
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COMMENT 315944
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2012-09-04 11:41 AM |
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what kind of zoom do you have on that camera my friend? This is beautiful work on your part. I would have been outta there pronto!
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COMMENT 315901
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2012-09-04 09:58 AM |
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Wow, amazing photos!
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COMMENT 315899
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2012-09-04 09:55 AM |
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Amazing pictures! You may want to consider a job with National Geographic! Thanks!
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COMMENT 315890
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2012-09-04 09:38 AM |
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I came upon the same ritual between two male California King snakes some years ago on a main road to Yosemite. To their great credit a number of good samaritans stopped and guided traffic around the pair until they completed the dance and slithered off the road. Rattlers, gopher snakes, king snakes, etc. are greatly beneficial to the eco-system. Too bad our innate fear of them often results in mindless killing. This series of photos is to be treasured!
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COMMENT 315885
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2012-09-04 09:26 AM |
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Spectacular photos and fabulous information! Thanks!
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COMMENT 315884
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2012-09-04 09:25 AM |
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Ewww I can't stand snakes. They get the shovel treatment at our house.
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COMMENT 315883
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2012-09-04 09:21 AM |
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Awesome!!!
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COMMENT 315871
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2012-09-04 08:58 AM |
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Awesome! Thanks for sharing, never thought I would like looking at pictures of rattlers.
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MTNDRIVER
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2012-09-04 08:54 AM |
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Wow, terrific photos. You were so lucky to see that, and we are so lucky you took such great pics. Thanks so much.
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COMMENT 315860
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2012-09-04 08:39 AM |
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awesome video & great choice of music-- lucky you to have seen it.
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RDH
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2012-09-04 08:20 AM |
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How lucky you are to witness this and how grateful we are that you managed not only to capture the event but to do it in such a competent and comprehensive way. Thank you.
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COMMENT 315847
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2012-09-04 08:01 AM |
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OP - Fun to share - twas a rare, cool thrill to behold! I must commend my hiking companion, he's a swift runner! Retrieved my camera that I'd left behind :) Posted a video this a.m. "Western Rattlesnakes - Ritual battle during Mating" to YouTube. Combative for territory, the males never bite nor strike the other. They dance wavelike, taunt and wrestle each other throwing their opponent to the ground to fatigue him, while the female quietly awaits the outcome. Ah, nature - always teaching us - ever humbling!
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FLICKA
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2012-09-04 07:55 AM |
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Well, "You learn something new everyday" certainly applies to this post and pictures. Thanks, great photos
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COMMENT 315840
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2012-09-04 07:41 AM |
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Thanks for the education-Rattlers are pretty much hated, but your tale puts a different spin on things.. And for once-no Snarkey comments(yet)
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COMMENT 315827
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2012-09-04 07:24 AM |
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Thank you! I saw that half a dozen years ago but without a camera. Thought until I read your entry that it had been a mating dance. Appreciate learning more about it, and your photos. It is really an otherworldly sight! Do both snakes end up staying alive, with one finally tiring of the contest?
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COMMENT 315826
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2012-09-04 07:18 AM |
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How fortunate you were to witness to the event. These are gorgeous captures. Spectacular perspective, thanks for sharing them.
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PEYTON'S GRANDMA
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2012-09-04 07:17 AM |
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Wow, wow, wow! Very cool.
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COMMENT 315821
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2012-09-04 07:02 AM |
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Wow, I had seen the same ritual on the same trail some ten years ago. I was not able to get pictures of them raised up but did get a couple of them on the ground. It is an awesome sight. Thanks for sharing your pictures and reviving my memories.
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COMMENT 315818
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2012-09-04 06:49 AM |
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Fabulous photos!
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COMMENT 315812
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2012-09-04 06:23 AM |
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Awesome images!! What a treat to see. Thanks!
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DARYL
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2012-09-04 06:14 AM |
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Wow! Fantastic shots, and what incredible luck to see something like this! Thank you for sharing these, and for the research and revelations that went with them.
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RLMCDON
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2012-09-04 06:12 AM |
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Thank you for sharing - what a cool thing to stumble upon!
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LALALALA
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2012-09-04 05:43 AM |
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National Geographic material! Thanks for these incredible pics
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COMMENT 315807P
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2012-09-04 01:49 AM |
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Fantastic! Great photos. Thanks for posting.
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EMI PHOTO
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2012-09-03 10:42 PM |
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Magical! Thanks for sharing those.
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BULLSEYEB
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2012-09-03 10:05 PM |
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Wow! How cool is that?!?! Thanks for sharing! Awesome photos!
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MACPUZL
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2012-09-03 09:33 PM |
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Magnificent!
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