But as it was we saw very few people when we were out hiking and exploring. We stopped at Niagara Falls but the trail was closed and there was no one around and we actually saw a snake.
I am pretty sure it is Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus or a Red-spotted Garter Snake but I was not going to stop and ask. The Garter snake is a Colubrid snake genus common across North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada to Central America. It is the single most widely distributed genus of reptile in North America.
Garter snakes have complex systems of pheromonal communication. They can find other snakes by following their pheromone-scented trails. If disturbed, a garter snake may coil and strike, but typically it will hide its head and flail its tail. These snakes will also discharge a malodorous, musky-scented secretion from a gland near the anus. They often use these techniques to escape when ensnared by a predator. Garters were long thought to be nonvenomous, but recent discoveries have revealed that they do in fact produce a mild neurotoxic venom. Garter snakes are nevertheless harmless to humans due to the very low amounts of venom they produce, which is comparatively mild, and the fact that they lack an effective means of delivering it. They do have enlarged teeth in the back of their mouth, but their gums are significantly larger. Whereas most venomous snakes have anterior or forward venom glands, the Duvernoy's gland of garters are posterior (to the rear) of the snake's eyes. A bite may result in mild swelling and an itching sensation. There are no known cases of serious injury and extremely few with symptoms of envenomation. wikipedia
The most people that we saw was either the HAM radio club on Sheridan Peak or the dirt bike parade that drove past us as we were exploring some back roads. So we either surrounded by nerds or out in the woods alone. It was so nice to be alone and surrounded by nothing but trees and birds and many beautiful flowers.
