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Every thing has a purpose
Not to sound like a country crooner, but it takes a good-hearted woman to rescue an agitated rattlesnake. Loye Barnard of southern Columbia County is just that woman - a staunch environmentalist and a firm believer that all of God's creatures have a purpose on the planet.
Even an eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
Barnard, along with Ichetucknee Springs State Park biologist Sam Cole and a few other nearby canoers, helped rescue what everyone agreed was a majestic diamondback - one that probably was at least 15 years old and measured more than five feet in length - from the cool waters of the Ichetucknee River recently.
“His head was bigger than my fist,” Barnard said. “You don't see those guys that big that often.”
Barnard and Cole were working on an environmental measuring project on the river when Carol
Buie-Jackson, a North Carolina environmentalist and Lake City native, approached in a kayak and sought their help in freeing the rattler. The snake was trapped in protective fencing near the habitat of an endangered snail.
As the group approached the fence, it noticed the big snake had woven itself three times through the rectangle hog-wire pattern of the fence. It was struggling to keep its head above water and its submerged tail was rattling beneath the clear water.
Barnard and Cole gently pinned the snake's head with a boat paddle. Barnard searched for the only tool that could assist the snake - a pair of rusty needle-nosed pliers. The snake struck at the paddle a couple of times before the two were able to reach near the snake's midsection and cut the wire in the fence. A few snips from the pliers and the uninjured snake was loose.
Once completely free of the fence, the diamondback floated backward in the current, its head pointed majestically toward the rescuers, its buzzing tail also jutting out of the water. After calming down, the snake turned and crossed the river to the opposite bank.
Barnard said she felt an obligation to help the large reptile.
“It was one of the most amazing things I've seen to see that guy swim free like that,” Barnard said. “Everything has a place on the earth. Every plant and animal has a purpose.”
Buie-Jackson operates an environmentally friendly Web site www.smelllikedirt. com. She captured video of the entire snake rescue, which she posted on the site.
Even an eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
Barnard, along with Ichetucknee Springs State Park biologist Sam Cole and a few other nearby canoers, helped rescue what everyone agreed was a majestic diamondback - one that probably was at least 15 years old and measured more than five feet in length - from the cool waters of the Ichetucknee River recently.
“His head was bigger than my fist,” Barnard said. “You don't see those guys that big that often.”
Barnard and Cole were working on an environmental measuring project on the river when Carol
Buie-Jackson, a North Carolina environmentalist and Lake City native, approached in a kayak and sought their help in freeing the rattler. The snake was trapped in protective fencing near the habitat of an endangered snail.
As the group approached the fence, it noticed the big snake had woven itself three times through the rectangle hog-wire pattern of the fence. It was struggling to keep its head above water and its submerged tail was rattling beneath the clear water.
Barnard and Cole gently pinned the snake's head with a boat paddle. Barnard searched for the only tool that could assist the snake - a pair of rusty needle-nosed pliers. The snake struck at the paddle a couple of times before the two were able to reach near the snake's midsection and cut the wire in the fence. A few snips from the pliers and the uninjured snake was loose.
Once completely free of the fence, the diamondback floated backward in the current, its head pointed majestically toward the rescuers, its buzzing tail also jutting out of the water. After calming down, the snake turned and crossed the river to the opposite bank.
Barnard said she felt an obligation to help the large reptile.
“It was one of the most amazing things I've seen to see that guy swim free like that,” Barnard said. “Everything has a place on the earth. Every plant and animal has a purpose.”
Buie-Jackson operates an environmentally friendly Web site www.smelllikedirt. com. She captured video of the entire snake rescue, which she posted on the site.
