60+ year old thread.

I too don’t really like snakes but I tolerate them. I don’t kill them unless it is venomous and in close proximity to people that may get bit. I have a couple garter snakes around the yard I actually enjoy seeing. Even named them.
Here’s a snake story that happened to me several years ago you all may find interesting. I was dove hunting with a friend. Dove hunting generally takes place during hot weather and often in mega snake territory. I don’t take my retriever because of the heat and possible snake encounters.
I shot a dove which fell about 20 yards out in brush and 18” high dry grass. I left my spot and went to retrieve it. Hard to find sometimes as they blend in with the brush. My partner was waiting for me to return. Spotted the dove and bent down and reached out to pick it up. It’s then I realized there was a coiled rattler also brown and blending in to the brush a foot or so from the dove. I froze bent over arm extended. He never rattled. I didn’t dare move. We stared into each others eyes. I knew just a hint of a movement he’d strike. After a minute or so my partner who had no idea what was happening yelled at me to hurry up , there were more dove coming in. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t dare make a peep. I know it sounds dramatic but I kept thinking “I’m looking death in the eyes”. Don’t know how long I held that position but after what seemed like an eternity the snake uncoiled and slithered into the brush.
I picked up my bird , walked back and told my friend what happened. I was done for the day, no desire to hunt any more that day, no desire to search for downed birds. I walked back to my truck scanning for snakes every step of the way. Got back to the truck and took a beer out of the cooler , best tasting beer I’ve ever had. To this day I remember how cold and refreshing that beer was. I’ve never been that keen on dove hunting after that. I have another story about when one of my labs got bit by a rattler but that’s for another time.

 

evening boys..... you can keep that snake Martin

 

Susan . Evening

 

Years ago I shot a rattle snake while hunting quail. I cut the head off immediately. My buddy saw me carrying it around (rattle snake is good eating) and offered to carry it in his hunting vest, which had a rear pocket. I said, "OK." It was funny watching his antics when the snake started moving.

 

It was out by Mittry today. I usually see a few rattlers by now, but this is the best I could do.

 

Evening Ken

 

After more than a few encounters with the AZ rattlers - that distinctive buzz they have can really get my attention. We have a machine over at the shop where I work part time - and it will buzz, enough like a critter to make me get uneasy. Periodically someone will place something I need to reverse engineer near the damn thing and it gives me the creeps....

 

It'll definitely get your attention. I'm out in the field almost daily so I'm always watching. We have a couple buildings out there that are dark and cool in the summer they'll sometimes go into. Luckily the light switches are close to the doors so I don't even go through the threshold without scanning the floors.

 

Good morning fellow Porchatonians!!

 

Good morning all.

 

Good morning all. Have a great day. Coffee waiting!

 

Morning 60+

 

Good Wednesday Morning Porch Folks

 

Good Morning Porch Pals & Sue! It's Hangar Day!

 

Good Morning Porch People.
My first SS payment was deposited to my account today.

 

Congrats Buck...

 

Went with my shop owner yesterday to have a look at some damaged machinery - in a solar array. Maybe 25 big panels 30 ft square (and 30 ft off the ground at the center support) - each with 3 hydraulic cylinders to continually adjust their aim and angle. These machines were not designed by persons who were competent at the construction of reliable "constant use" industrial strength devices. Just for instance, the cylinders all had tiny, small diameter hinge pins - with no way to apply lubricant - and weak retainers. The array had at one time been operated for about 10 years and finally - the company attempting to operate them went bankrupt (probably trying to keep them functioning). The electrical engineer and mechanic hired to get the units functioning again (the array has sat for another 5 years in the bankruptcy and has a new owner) are really up against some obstacles. The units have now been stabilized at "parade rest" (horizontal facing up at the sky) so none are just dangling on the bearings - but not without a struggle (and a nice crane bill). They have several that can now produce power for a little income - but the inability to aim them reduces the efficiency by a considerable amount.

Looks to me like some number of the "new" power production systems are going to have some real growing pains and reliability issues. Old school maintainability is going to have to be implemented - and this installation is a real example of how difficult it may be to retrofit the initial attempts with workable equipment. My boss was justifiably concerned about just how the owner of the array was going to pay for the necessary cylinder repairs they showed us (a stack of 18 damaged cylinders). And later in the afternoon when I fired up my calculator - I found that some of the damage was due to overloads that will likely occur again.

 

Congrats! I have to wait till next yr for it. Retired may 1st and made too much this yr.

 

Morning all:

, guess that makes you officially an old geezer, hopefully you will receive many more of those deposits!