Rattlesnake Den--where?

 One Sunday after our noon fellowship meal at Lakota Chapel, Danny wanted to check out a spot a mile out of town called Rattlesnake Cemetery.

That's not the real name of the place, but a sort of nickname because there is a rattlesnake den near it. We had heard that if a person can catch a rattlesnake live, a place like Reptile Gardens might pay up to $1000 for it to show in their aquarium. Or the SD Department of Health might also pay big money for a live rattlesnake for its venom which can be milked and turned into anti-venom. 

Since Danny had already successfully captured a rattlesnake last year, he is contemplating trying again this year, especially since our pastor knows some men who used to trap rattlesnakes and sell them. He is putting Danny in touch with them.

We managed to take the right dirt lane and found the cemetery, around which we began to explore. 

Just where was the rattlesnake den?

A native friend of mine goes every year to place flowers at one or more of the graves, but she is always very careful and hopes someone has mowed it before she comes.  We enjoyed the snowy scene of the river before us, and after some exploration, we are quite sure we found where the rattlesnake den is. 

Despite it being winter weather, we still paid close attention to where we walked just in case an earlybird rattlesnake had decided to sun itself!

We also decided to explore the cemetery where we were fascinated with all the native names.  

Moses Four Hand--if that name doesn't intrigue a person! 

Rosie Yellow Eyes 

Brave Bear--an Indian Scout from Nebraska

Joseph Six Toes

White Thunder 

Samuel Rattling Leaf

Sallie Lodge Skin 

Melvin Dog Eye

It was just so fascinating.  

Spotted Elk--another Indian scout. 

Fred Fast Horse

I closed the gate of the cemetery as we left. 

A rabbit Danny had seen by a post on the way in was still hiding there, perfectly camouflaged. 

And of all things, on the very same day that we were hunting for the rattlesnake den, Sam had been out and about on state trust land and discovered this waterhole with countless snakes in it! He sent us this picture.

If that wasn't crazy or what?

Despite not finding any rattlesnakes in February, we enjoyed a Sunday outing and discovering a wee spot of red--an old rose hips in the middle of the yucca cactus here in South Dakota.