[tn-bird] Re: Migration - Look High and Low

You don't hurry a Cottonmouth as they take their time no matter what. By 
standing their ground and if annoyed, showing their namesake mouth, they get 
a bad rap. I find them far less likely to strike than the antsy Copperhead. 
In this case being stubborn gets you killed. It was a beautiful, very dark 
male and I just eased him along once he decided to leave and kept a couple of 
rednecks from doing him in.

As far as the little ones, I was sorry to see all those that didn't make it. 
I've never seen the road that busy with cars and trucks on a week day. It is 
amazing that these first year Broad-Banded Snakes, over a 1.2 mile stretch of 
road, all decided it was time to head for high ground and their historic 
wintering dens, all at the same time. Birds, snakes or just Nature in general 
will keep you on your toes, all you have to do is slow down and try to take 
in the lessons. Even after quite a few washings, my hands still give off 
hints of the foul smelling musk that water snakes extrude from the glands at 
the base of the tail.

On a bird note, to satisfy the list rules. I had a single Mississippi Kite 
across the river at Island 40 Chute yesterday. It flew from TN into Ark. 
Chris Sloan and I had two very late birds over there a few years back. This 
is my latest date by a full week.

Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.


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