It was like a zoo yesterday afternoon at Oaks. Tarantulas, rattlesnakes, a deer, rabbits, etc.
The snake was one of the more harry encounters I've had. I was booming down Yucca like a madman when I saw this "stick" lying across the trail. Not realizing it was a snake caused me to keep rolling an extra second before realizing what it was and slamming on my brakes. Truth be told, in the uncoiled position, I would have been fine just bunny hopping him (probably), but I ended up coming VERY close to him when stopping... thank god no endo. I would have done a back flop onto Mr. Bitey.
After I stopped, I thought he was dead (note the tire tracks and the slight depression behind his head. He was perfectly still for 2-3 minutes, not appearing to breath or tongue-sniff the air. I even tossed some light gravel, hitting his torso, without reaction. I was convinced he was dead, got back on my bike to ride by in front of him, when he suddenly seemed to wake back up, coil, scan the area, and scurry off into the bush to the right.
As for this tarantula, I feel like I've seen the same guy at least 3 times now in the same place, half way up chutes.
