- This Great Pursuit - Part 2 Photos and Story by Phil Peak |
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This was such a place. What made this even more remarkable is all this variety was found on a two acre plot with a mere 15 sheets of tin laid out. This abandoned homestead from long ago was located on a ridge top and nestled in a small clearing in a wooded area. Behind the house was a small brook and immediately behind it laid several miles of undisturbed forest . On the opposite side of the road was a hay field of many acres that eventually gave way to more woodlands. This was one of those places that we felt anything was possible and we were seldom disappointed since almost always something was found. We wondered that if in time we may have been fortunate enough to see some of the rarer and unusual species of snakes that have been documented in this part of Kentucky at one time or other. As it turned out this was not to be. Though disappointed that this particular place is gone we do take some solace in the fact that we enjoyed and appreciated it while we could. As every year passed we knew full well that this could be our last opportunity there and eventually that day came. Upon our first visit this year we were greeted by bulldozers and logging trucks. Usually only the site itself is razed. To our dismay it was apparent that the ridge top was being logged and untold destruction was being unleashed on the entire area. This aside we knew this particular tin fields day had come. In all we had many a good time there and had seen a good number of snakes of various form and feature. A dozen or so species and always something new to discover. However, this is only part of what makes places like this interesting to us. When it comes to these transitory roadside herp havens there are always those days when the unexpected arose and from these we took memories as well. A few random events at this particular temporary herping venue would include the following. | ||||||||||||||||||
.  Northern Ringneck Snake |
 Red Bellied Snake |
 Dekay's Snake |
 Smooth Earth Snake |
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 Eastern Garter Snake |
There was the Sunday morning two summers ago when Will and I drove up on an incredible scene in which the nearest locals some five miles distant down the road had carried their Saturday night feud onto the street for an early morning blood letting. There woman weeped while the men folk in their ragged blood stained attire shouted at one another daring their adversaries to join them once again in fisticuffs on this lonely country road. As we passed through this almost surreal scene we saw several state troopers on their way to attempt to quell this melee and hopefully restore order. There was also the time in which we found a late model vehicle with Michigan tags behind the pole barn. The car appeared to be that of a young woman from what we could discern through the windows based on the interior decor. As out of place as a fish out of water it was clear to us that something was clearly amiss.The drivers side window was down and the previous nights rain had inundated the car. At this point we discussed whether we should pop the trunk and hope that a corpse was not found! We agreed this was a matter for the authorities and as it turned out some of our friends from the herp society that were in the area herping as well came upon the scene and contacted law enforcement. Not for sure how that one turned out. Hopefully just a stolen car. On a lighter note there was once the occasion when Will and I chanced upon an unusual sight in the form of disheveled tin with an obvious bow to one large piece in particular. Closer inspection revealed a case of unopened Budweiser still chilled and with a recent "born on" date. No doubt one of our more unusual finds under artificial cover to be sure. For the most part Will and I content ourselves with photography but on that day we made the exception and decided to collect! That evening while enjoying our find of the day we speculated on its origin. We may never know, but one thing is for certain. This place like many others like it will disappear before all their mysteries are solved. |
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