A few weeks ago I built a bench out of a couple of logs and a 2X12 and put it by the waterfall at the creek. Last weekend I went by there to look it over and take a break, as I was doing some spring improvements at the dam farther up the creek. When I sat down, I looked over at the waterfall and there was a piece of old plywood stuck in between the two large rocks that form the spillway. Well, we can't have that, so I jumped down onto the creekbed to get rid of it.
Now, I'm always telling people how I'm not afraid of snakes and how beneficial they are and all that. Well, when I jumped down there, I accidentally stepped right next to a very large one. He jumped and looked like he was coming at me, and I just about p****d my pants. I let out a yell and started falling all over myself trying to get away from that thing in my rubber boots! I nearly fell in the creek, stumbled and scrambled up the creekbed in the opposite direction making all possible haste. By the time I caught my breath and went back to see if I could find him, he was gone... somewhere. He scared me so bad that in my scramble to get away I didn't even realize it was a large, healthy copperhead!
So, I guess I AM scared of snakes when I d*** near step on a big fatty. "The copperhead prefers forested areas with rocky bluffs and ravines." (My back yard.) Haven't seen him again, though. And only one mocassin, when Ivan came through.
