The Necessity of Rattlesnakes Tank Top

This beautiful, young Mojave Rattlesnake was discovered crossing my front on September 8, 2019 around twilight. It did not startle me for this is a common to event living out in the Sonoran Desert. I calmly captured it with snake tongs and put it in a lidded bucket for release the next day. I always get some shots for artistic and educational purposes. I love these snakes and the mojave (pronounced mohavee with the accent on the “ha”) is probably my favorite because its markings are so distinct. Its venom is neurotoxic - meaning if you’re unlucky enough to get in its way, the symptoms include paralysis, difficulty breathing, and even death. These snakes were here first, and only strike in self-defense. They keep rodent populations down and are vital for the health of the ecosystem. I hope that their beauty as reflected in my art helps people to appreciate them more! (This photo is also available without text.)

The video featuring the rescue and release of this beau...

Judy Kennedy (a visionary wayward muse) is a nature mystic and disabled visual media artist specializing in the Arizona Sonoran Desert. The Sonoran Desert is the United States' most ecologically diverse desert - especially in the state of Arizona. With an abounding love for her home, Judy's artwork and videos mostly feature wildlife in its natural setting with accompanying landscapes and skyscapes as varied and unique as her stylistic expressions. She serves this inimitable beauty and hopes that her art inspires others in their own conservation efforts. Judy is also a versatile writer of creative nonfiction and a composer of music which can be heard in many of her videos. Her YouTube channel alone has well over 1100 subscribers. ...