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Post by geneticchamp on Jul 18, 2008 9:59:03 GMT -5
While I don't think I have near the phobia that Jon Mao has developed (so much so that I believe the abyss to the right of 19's fairway should hereafter be referred to as Jon Mao State Park,) I have had my share of reptile run-ins at Roselane. Recently I stooped down to pick up a disc inbetween the two big trees at the bottom of hole 9, and as I was standing up I found myself face to face with a 4 and 1/2 foot long Black Racer perched on a fallen log. Now I know it was just a Black Racer, but when your face is that close to any reptile, you can't help but double your pulse rate instantly.
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Post by tdg on Jul 18, 2008 10:41:04 GMT -5
Jon's famous Anaconda sized black snake. It's great to hear him tell the story. Few people know that when this course was first put in that it was across the swamp, up in the woods. It became known as Black Bear , because of the bear that frequented the area while I was putting the course in. One night Vickie and I had just finished working and returned to the car only to find bear tracks around the car and a tree marked. I asked the park maintenance worker at the time if he knew that a bear was in the area and he said "Oh yeah, we've seen him a few times. "After that I was wary every time I entered the woods. I am glad they had me move the course when the new administration took over.
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Post by geneticchamp on Jul 18, 2008 11:03:03 GMT -5
Last Friday night we got to actually see the infamous "hole 17 beaver" in the flesh. We all know he's there. But he is rarely seen. I saw him once a few weeks ago as I was on 16. He was running from 18's tee pad into the creek. But last week at doubles we actually saw him in the water swimming. It was pretty cool. I have seen the ones on 5 multiple times in the late evening or early morning, in the fairway near the ditch. I've yet to see them chewing on the willow, but the evidence is there.
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Post by richardhead on Jul 18, 2008 11:17:02 GMT -5
As you're walking down the steps going to 18 the bees are in the base of that tree or stump, whatever it is. It looked like somebody is doing some work on that culvert. Anyway, there was a swarm at the base of that tree. Be very careful, I researched bee-havior this morning. They are very protective of there nests. Explains the stare down.
As far as animal encounters are concerned. I was behind 18's pad relieving myself one day. There used to be a good sized tree right in the waters edge. Anyway, as I was relieving myself I happened to glance up and right there a foot in front of my face was the biggest black snake I had ever seen. He was just chillin on that branch. You've never seen a fat boy move so fast. It kinda took my breath away.
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Post by tdg on Jul 18, 2008 11:35:53 GMT -5
Thanks for alllll the info Jay.
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Post by geneticchamp on Jul 18, 2008 11:43:07 GMT -5
Oh yes, nothing like a snake to make a "relieving one's self" session more interesting. Last summer I stepped down that little dirt rd. next to 17's tee pad to take a leak. I'm just standing there when all of a sudden a snake comes out of the woods next to the creek and races right between my legs. It was over in an instant, if I hadn't just finished, I probably would have peed all over myself! I'm with Jay- that will take your breath away.
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Post by tdg on Jul 18, 2008 11:58:06 GMT -5
Hole #17's walkway- Copperhead road. I have found copperhead and rattlesnake skins on #15. These stories remind me of how many snakes are on our course. A couple of years ago Bart picked up a big racer and danced with it on his shoulders on #15 , so the rumor has it. Swerve where are you?
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Post by dynoman on Jul 18, 2008 15:13:52 GMT -5
and to add to the snakes,there's still the racer on 13.
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