Saturday, July 25, 2009

Mind if I ask, who does your landscaping?

Boz tried to chat up a rattlesnake on our evening walk yesterday. I wanted a photo, but cooler heads prevailed and the snake refused to pose. So I thought I'd show you a photo of his yard.

The law says I can take a picture of your yard as long as I take that picture while I'm standing on public property, and as long as I don't use ladders or telephoto lenses or extraordinary measures to go peeking over your hedge or into your windows.

Until we came along, that rattlesnake was sunning himself right in the middle of the path. I'll bet he thought we invaded his privacy.

20 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

Rattlesnakes, coyotes, cougars, bears, & humans.
It's a tough world just outside our doghouses.

Dina said...

Oi veh, be careful, Boz and Petrea!
Good that you two smelled/saw the snake, since I imagine he blended right in with those summer colors. Glad he saw you and left. The one that got away.
Thanks for condensing the info in your link. OK OK, I'll put away the ladder.

Italo said...

rattlesnake privacy is important. Also because if you come nearer of him he doesn't say just: "Sorry Madame the law is with me. Please don't take pictures, I'm warning you madame!". :)

Anonymous said...

Hey, Petrea, I just printed my photographer's rights and will be keeping it in my purse from now on. Thank you for sharing this information. I have been wondering about these issues since beginning to blog and now you have cleared it up for me. - I wonder if the rattlesnake has been fuming to his family about his rights? HA!

marley said...

I bet he was pee-d off!

Trish said...

yeah, explain to Boz that the fight with a rattler is not one he wants to engage in...dogs rarely win, people tend to struggle too.

Perhaps my old rule of carrying a big stick and a knife on hikes is important to remember.

I suspect the snake also didn't care about your rights as a photographer.

Carry on, carry on, just be careful!

from cali said...

Yikes! Haven't you taught Boz not to talk to strangers? ;)

Petrea Burchard said...

And outside our snake-pits, Cafe.

Dina, it was John who spotted this one and steered us away. I should also mention that as far as I can tell, those laws are international. Although I know in some areas (the UK comes to mind) photographers are particularly restricted.

True, Italo. And some security guards are as mean as snakes.

It's good to keep it with you, Nikki. It also pays to be polite. I once wanted to photograph a house and the owner was there, so I asked. He was so pleased he told me all about the history of the home. And if someone doesn't want me to take a picture of them or their home I won't, even if I have the legal right. There are enough wonderful things around to photograph.

I doubt Boz would understand the full explanation, Trish, but thankfully he's an obedient dog. When we say "STOP" he stops, and that's enough.

Petrea Burchard said...

Cali, Boz is a friendly dog. He likes EVERYBODY.

Katie said...

Stunning photo! I'm sure I would have stepped right on the rattler as I'd be gawking at the view. I'm glad you're featuring this gorgeous photo today and not one of Boz at the vet.

Amy said...

Rattlesnakes in Pasadena? Neat!

I used to dream of being a herpetologist. Then I remembered that it required too much science for my liking. ;) Still love snakes though!

Keith said...

Be careful out there, a lot of snakes around this summer. Tell Boz he's a good boy for being obedient. Vet snake bite bills are expensive, and the possible outcomes get worse from there.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Katie. Guess we can't afford to gawk too much.

Amy, this is our first time seeing a rattler. We heard one once, further north in the canyon past JPL. This one didn't rattle, but we saw its rattle as it moved off. It was about 3 feet long and very pretty.

No kidding, Keith. I saw the price of the preventative vaccine, and it was close to $900. I imagine the treatment is much more.

Trish said...

a pup we knew once played "patty-cake" with a rattler. He limped around, finally went to the vet because no one could figure out what happened. It took 2 full treatments because he'd been bitten several times on the frontlegs. 1 1/2 weeks later he finally came home from the vet, rather weak, skinny and wondering what the number was of the truck that hit him.

GOOD for you that you've taught Boz STOP! So many pups don't and the results can be very sad.

I think Boz might understand "Owieeeeee!"

-K- said...

I've crossed paths, literally, with rattlesnakes twice in my life. Both times brought up primordial animal fear in me, which I generally try to avoid.

Petrea Burchard said...

Trish, I wish I could say Boz is perfect, but he's reluctant to come when called. He comes, but on his own sweet time. But he stops on a dime, so sometimes I use that instead.

K, I'd say fear of rattlesnakes is healthy. Really.

HearkenCreative said...

Petrea, I bet that was from the same family of rattlers that we saw when we were on our Hahamongna hike. My six-year-old couldn't stop talking about it.

Glad to hear that your whole group (Boz included) enjoyed the visit from a safe distance. I still love Hahamongna.

Shell Sherree said...

Sorry, Petrea, I missed this one yesterday and just had kittens at the thought of Boz's near escape! Good boy, Boz - phew!

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm the one who had to be reminded "if it starts to come your way, stop taking pictures." Too bad none of them turned out.

Ms M said...

The rattlesnake part is scary, but the photo is beautiful!
(We have to keep an eye out for rattlers here, too, in certain areas)
Glad there was a truce.