https://i.postimg.cc/fWY6SCFS/Resized-20221013-170702.jpg ## I definitely took a risk here! ## While herping with a new friend (*"herping" being exploring the wild in search of reptiles and amphibians*) we encountered a pile of tires. I noticed animal activity, including scat (*poop*) and a burrow, and we almost immediately found a Milk Snake (*Lampropeltis triangulum*), so we were both excited and wary right from the start. https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.postimg.cc/7ZFgh2c9/IMG-0931.jpg **Here's a look at that milk snake. Beautiful, isn't it?** ## ------------- Anyway, I did not recognize the scat right away, but both it and burrow appeared to be of mammalian origin. As we continued our exploration in hopes of additional Milk Snakes, a skunk emerged from the burrow. My new friend was literally *taken aback* by it, but I carried on with the business at hand. Yes, skunks can spray, but that's from the rear end of them, beneath the tail. Also, last I heard, there was no cure for skunk rabies, but this one did not appear to be very defensive. While I searched for serpents, it mostly watched and evaluated escape routes. Eventually I asked my new friend to lend me his phone so I could take a few photos of the skunk, and he obliged, albeit from a distance. Eventually the skunk decided it had had enough for the time being and departed across the field. We finished our herping adventure in the tire pile and only turned up a small newt before piling the tires back up. I think the skunk probably returned later that day after our departure. Here are the photos of the skunk. Would you shove a phone just a few feet from a skunk to take some photos? If you do, please be careful. Enjoy! https://i.imgur.com/9qd6eqf.jpg ## TIRED SKUNK PHOTOS ## https://i.postimg.cc/0j1FHK6N/Resized-20221013-170701.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/3NjVMrpF/Resized-20221013-170703.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/CLY9GDTP/Resized-20221013-170707.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/VLRpD6zY/Resized-20221013-170710.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9qd6eqf.jpg #### Until next time… ## # Make today special! ## # [Check out our Etsy shop](https://www.etsy.com/shop/PapaPepperHomestead) ## --------------- https://i.postimg.cc/K8s5Mhh5/ABUNDANT-HARVEST-HOMESTEAD-2r.jpg https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.postimg.cc/Gpx5GFwp/unknown.png/DQmNnE7WJMpgHrDyhsVvyHQEeLPWMJSfs3QmRg3E7BnBJc8/footer%202a.png