Submitted by:
Thorus3, from About Forestry Forum, Snake Story Discussion
"ear splitting shriek":
It was the first time my brother and I went exploring on my property after I'd bought it a couple years ago. On the way in, we'd had a deer hiding in the thick pines, probably only 20-25 yards from us, snorting at us. We saw turkey tracks in the road (big turkey). We heard grouse drumming. It was a great day.
We worked our way all the way down into the bottomland, near the point where two good sized streams converged. Very nice, enjoyable walk. As we follow alongside this stream, I suddenly hear this horrendous, ear splitting shriek behind me. Not knowing whats happened, but certain some poor little girl has had a terrible accident and is obviously in dire peril, I whip around.
There is my brother, still shrieking like a little girl . . . doing a high steppin' dance where neither foot ever touches the ground . . . eyes locked on the ground at his feet.
It was just a water snake, although a big one, probably 3 feet long and quite thick. I'd apparently walked right by it without noticing. My brother was inches from stepping on it when it moved, provoking the startled shrieking I'd heard. He's not normally that skittish, but this snake had surprised him.
I still remember that moment fondly, and enjoy reminding my brother of it as well, every now and then . . . that's what older brothers are for.
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