Close Encounters of the Natural Kind

For the past 35+ years I have been revisiting the scenes in George R. Stewart's 1953 book, U.S. 40: Cross-Section of the United States.  I've had several encounters with critters and creatures that have made the project at times challenging.  Here is a summary of some of my encounters.

While at Fort Necessity in Farmington, Pennsylvania, I was walking from the parking lot to the site of the old fort.  As I was stepping over what I thought was a fallen branch, I saw it move.  It was a copperhead.  I did a hasty pivot and avoided stepping on the snake which was between 2 and 3 feet in length.  After showing the park rangers, they said they were going to relocate the snake away from the picnic area.

Another snake encounter was at Pequop Summit in Nevada.  As I was climbing up the side of the hill to get to Stewart's original vantage point, I heard the distinctive rattle of a rattlesnake.  I didn't see the snake, but the rattling told me to beware.  I turned around and opted for a lower position.  Another rattler encounter was at the Tie House mine near Valmy, Nevada.  Two of the managers from the mining company accompanied me to the photo site and they directed me away from one area that they said was a nest of rattlers.

When walking through snake friendly environments, my eyes scan the area to make sure our paths don't cross.

Insects are another common encounter.  On one summer photo excursion in Missouri, I wore shorts and Teva sandals.  A few hours into the day I discovered my legs had been eaten alive by chiggers.  I learned the hard way to always wear long pants and tall socks.

At Black Rock by the Great Salt Lake, the brine flies(?) have been at times so intense as to force me back to the car.

Gnats, ticks and mosquitoes are common throughout the length of the highway and when I'm working in grassy areas, deet sprays come out.

At Little Savage Mountain in Maryland, I saw a very large black or dark brown cat that was about 3 feet in length.  I thought it was a dog at first but when I drove by I saw it was definitely feline.  I have no idea what kind of cat that could have been.