Can a Bull Snake Be a Show Snake?

A week ago, Marco the Chessie and I were walking up a pedestrian-bike trail that goes trough "open space" by the Walking Stock golf course in northeast Pueblo.

Suddenly he jumped sideways. I looked down and back — this bull snake was artistically coiled next to the wall that separates one of the adjacent upscale houses from the public path.

Not a bad homestead for a snake—a secure den under the masonry wall, just a short slither away from rodent-hunting grounds. 

The snake tired of being photographed and false-struck at me. No danger; it was just annoyed. "OK, buddy," I said, "I'll leave you be."

What was interesting that this particular bull snake did not vibrate its tail to mimic a rattlesnake. A lot of them do that, and then humans start grabbing guns and shovels: "It's a rattlesnake! Kill it!" 

Is the gene pool changing? Marco started out to be a show dog, but washed out. He still strikes poses. So did this snake. Very artistic fellow.

Low Flows Threaten Arkansas River Rafting. Guess Who Benefits

Paddleboarders on the Arkansas (Colorado Parks & Wildlife)

Today's Colorado Sun reports that the low snowpack -- 24 percent for the Arkansas River basin -- means low runoff and a shorter season for the rafting companies:

There are about 45 river outfitters in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area between Leadville and Cañon City who host as many as 250,000  commercial rafting visitors every year, almost 75% of them coming from out of state. Those vacationers riding the most rafted river in the country direct anywhere from $50 million to $75 million into the local communities every year. 

The Arkansas River rafting season will happen. It will just be a bit different. There will be fewer paddlers on smaller boats. If guests are ready, they will captain their own stand-up paddleboards or inflatable kayaks, which are called duckies. Trips could take longer. Paddlers in rafts are going to play a larger role, helping guides navigate more technical lines through rapids. Lower sections of the river with more water — like the Royal Gorge — will see more traffic. 

The calls from vacationers are coming in. Demand is there. And outfitters are ready. 

Let's face it: When flows are down around 500 cfs, it's hard for guides to give clients the high-excitement pinballing riiver rides that some will tip extra for. (Guides call this trade-off "bash for cash.") 

But there's a bright side too. Anglers won't be sitting out the "rubber hatch" in June and waiting for flows to drop. It should be a great summer for river fishing.