These photos were taken in the herpaterium at
Bay's Mountain Park in Kingsport, TN of the two kinds of venomous snakes in our part of Appalachia: Timber Rattlesnakes (above) and Copperheads (below right).
More people are bit by copperheads than any other venomous snake in North America.
When threatened Copperheads often 'freeze' until the threat has passed by, which leads to many people stepping on these well-camouflaged snakes. If there's any good news in this...About half of their bites are "dry" (that is, without venom) and their venom, when used, is the most mild of poisonous venom in the US. These bites, while very painful, are rarely fatal -- but still require immediate medical attention, as they can result in severe blistering, loss of use, and permanent scaring.
Timber Rattlesnakes are seen less frequently in our area than copperheads. They can be quite variable in terms of their coloring - tan, brown or black. Most are in the range of 3 to 5 feet long. Like most snakes, Timber Rattlesnakes are secretive and shy, reluctant to bite. They prefer to get out of our way. Most bites that do occur are on account of the snakes being stepped on or picked up.
Both snakes are pit vipers, with elliptical 'cat-like' pupils and heat-seeking pits located between their eyes and nostrils which help them to sense their prey. During hot summer days, these snakes usually stay hidden, becoming active at night, feeding mostly on small rodents. The advice for hikers...Just watch your step, look before you place your hands while climbing, and if you see one of these snakes, just step back and let them be.
Here is a good article with specific advice for staying safe from venomous snakes in Tennessee. Click
here to read my previous post about snakes.
Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it. 
Summer is a great time to visit Bays Mountain in Kingsport, TN. Pictured here are some of the animals found in the nature habitat at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, TN. Featured at the top is a gray wolf named Tanasi. The wolf habitat is always popular to visit, especially with the addition of wolf pups this spring. In addition to wolves, the park also has bobcats, deer, otters, turtles, snakes, birds, raccoons, a bee hive, an aquarium, and numerous other exhibits. There are also 25 miles of hiking trails, a 40' dome planetarium, and barge rides on the 44 acre lake.
Click here to visit their website. See my previous posts from the park by clicking here.
While so much of the focus of our lives is on producing tangible results -- this quote from Thoreau reminds us that it's the intangibles, the untouchables, the things that cannot be grasped or held, that are our real, our true harvest. Makes me wonder what I should be planting.
Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.
Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. 
Dreams are at once fruit and outcry against an atrophy of the senses.
When threatened Copperheads often 'freeze' until the threat has passed by, which leads to many people stepping on these well-camouflaged snakes. If there's any good news in this...About half of their bites are "dry" (that is, without venom) and their venom, when used, is the most mild of poisonous venom in the US. These bites, while very painful, are rarely fatal -- but still require immediate medical attention, as they can result in severe blistering, loss of use, and permanent scaring.
I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.
Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, TN is an amazing place. The size and scope of the park would make you think it was a national or state park, but it's actually the largest city-owned park in the State of Tennessee. It's 3,500 acres contain a nature habitat, a planetarium, 25 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and a large lake for fishing and 'barge' rides in the summer. The nature habitats are home to wolves, otters, deer, bobcats, raccoons, snakes, turtles, hawks and owls. It was great to see the parking lot full of cars from throughout the region -- a very good sign the park and for the city of Kingsport. The $4-per-car entrance fee is well worth it. See the official park website for directions and trail maps.
