It’s been this kind of summer around here, seen more than usual. If you get near old buildings or piles of lumber watch where you step! l got way too close to this one before I heard it, even with one earphone off my ear.
Nokta FoRs Gold, a Gold Cube, 2 Keene Sluices and Lord only knows how many pans....not to mention a load of other gear my wife still doesn't know about!
No wonder you didn't hear him, it looks like there is only 1 button on his tail.
I had a springer one time that the vet said the fester on his snout was an erupting abscessed tooth. After it grew to the size of a quarter and I took him back when it turned black (instead of oozing) she corrected herself and said it was a bite from a pygmy rattler. When I asked how she could be sure it was a pygmy, she said because the dog was still alive. The dog sure learned his lesson because he intentionally and steadfastly ignored me when I tried to "introduce" him to a hognose snake we came upon while hiking. Good boy!
BTW- The Hognose are the ones that throw up and play dead if aren't intimidated by their rattlesnake impersonation.
Nokta FoRs Gold, a Gold Cube, 2 Keene Sluices and Lord only knows how many pans....not to mention a load of other gear my wife still doesn't know about!
It is a juvenile Western Diamondback. About 16-18” and ornery as heck! It had 2 or 3 rattles and a button and was buzzing pretty good but there was so much iron in the ground my detector’s low tones drowned out the rattle!
Well good thing you spotted it . All I've walked up on have been harmless black snakes. I know we have copperheads and are just one county off from known rattlesnake habitat . I always wear boots when outdoors , no sneakers while detecting for me.