You know it's gonna be a good hike when you meet people on the trail and they ask 'are you good with snakes?' Booyah!—
Tara R. (@Tara_R) September 22, 2012
Early Saturday morning I headed to the beach, hoping to have a little peace and quite. This time of year, right after the last surge of tourists Labor Day Weekend, the beaches clear out and you have the place pretty much to yourself. This morning even the birds were off somewhere else.
The Gulf was so calm, barely any white caps to the waves, just clear, blue as far as you could see. It was, I hate to admit, a little boring, so I hit the trails that wended through the copse that formed a tight barrier between the Gulf beaches, and civilization.
As I walked up the first rise leading into the dunes, I met a couple and their dog. As they passed by me, the woman called out, “are you good with snakes?” No explanation, just that little glitter bomb. I called after them, asking if there was a large snake on the trail. Without stopping or turning around, the guy hollered back, “no, just a bunch of little ones.”
I have no problem with snakes, and was even looking forward to seeing them… but, alas. The promise of a slithering reptile sighting was not to be. The loud, big-footed humans and their slobbering canine companion must has scared them all away. I had to content myself, with photographing the area flora instead.





(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)
For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.
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I don’t think I will ever be disappointed to NOT see snakes. Gorgeous images.
Not a bad alternative.
I have to admit, your proclaiming that the Gulf was too boring for pictures makes me want to strangle you a little bit because you are so lucky to have it. :)
I don’t mind snakes. My husband is terrified of them. Show me a snake, and I’ll be like “Oh cool.” Show me a spider, and I’ll run screaming as if the hounds of Hell were on my tail!
I love the flower with the bee!
and you think i’m brave for paddleboarding? i’m a snakeaphobiac. i like to pretend they won’t be in my new back yard…lovely shots as always.
the drift wood looks like a gator.
Oh my gosh! The shot of the bee buried in a flower… just amazing!
Nice set of pics Tara.
You are far braver than me! Just the mention of snakes would have had be doing a very past paced U-turn back to the car and outta there! But i’m glad you’re braver than me– Your photos are gorgeous.
Happy SIMC, jj
Truly lovely. Bummer about the little snakes!
I love the footprints. You have a keen eye.
What a beautiful walk. You found some real treasures. I love the fungi and empty acorns’ hats. Have a great week. :)
Fantastic photos – right from the gorgeous blue skies to the underwater photo. Tara, you’re such a superb photographer! Love, Vidya
In spite of the missing reptiles, it sounds like a gorgeous hike!
Now that is a walk. Thank you for sharing and your pictures are amazing.
Excellent set of captures!
That is a very calm gulf. Just beautiful.