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I saw a redtailed hawk on a utility pole. It flew towards what turned out to be a large gopher snake in the distance. Perhaps because the hawk was a bit small and the gopher snake too big for it to catch, the hawk let the snake escape back into the grass without attacking it. This is one lucky snake!

That was a great photo op!
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Todd Hughes

>>That was a great photo op!
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>>Todd Hughes

Yes it was! I was pointing my camera at the hawk when it suddenly swooped down from the utility pole. It was so close to me as it flew that I swear if I reach up I could have scratched its belly. Too bad I was so surprised and a little bit apprehensive (thinking it may attack me) that I could not get my camera ready to take a photo of it flying towards me. And when it flew past me, I was all set to photograph the impending battle between hawk and snake, but the hawk let the snake go. The snake got away, and so did my photo opportunities. But it was a great experience nonetheless to be so close to the action in a drama of nature. The same hawk later caught a ground squirrel. I am so glad that it wasn't the snake that filled the hawk's belly.

I think that is why I enjoy herping so much, it's not all about the herps, they are the icing on the cake, the total experience is the cake for me! Or is it the other way around, lol!

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Todd Hughes

>>I saw a redtailed hawk on a utility pole. It flew towards what turned out to be a large gopher snake in the distance. Perhaps because the hawk was a bit small and the gopher snake too big for it to catch, the hawk let the snake escape back into the grass without attacking it. This is one lucky snake!
>>
Great photo-story!
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Be safe.
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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com
www.riobravoreptiles.com

"Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

>>>>I saw a redtailed hawk on a utility pole. It flew towards what turned out to be a large gopher snake in the distance. Perhaps because the hawk was a bit small and the gopher snake too big for it to catch, the hawk let the snake escape back into the grass without attacking it. This is one lucky snake!
>>>>
>>Great photo-story!
>>.
>>Be safe.
>>-----
>>Gus
>>A. Rentfro
>>RioBravoReptiles.com
>>www.riobravoreptiles.com
>>
>>"Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

Thank you! Here is another photo of the same encounter.

Too cool!
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Todd Hughes

Great pic! What kind of Gopher? Are you out here in SoCal? That's a scene that I'm sure plays itself out many times in our local wilderness areas.

reako45