Big Cypress National Preserve Rattlesnake and Whitetail Deer

After my Orchid Adventure I stopped by Wagon Wheel and Turner River Roads on my way back home.  I found a couple of snakes sunning themselves in the late afternoon sun on the gravel road.  I came across two Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, two Water Moccasins and one Garter Snake.  The largest rattlesnake was around 5 foot or so.

I also saw a few deer grazing in the sawgrass on the blooming string lilies.  I walked out in the sawgrass to capture one that had bedded down among the flowers.  Before I got in camera range the deer heard me and stood up.  Luckily a red winged black bird happened to land on the deer giving me a decent and unique photo.  Unbeknownst to me there was another deer that had bedded down nearby as well and it jumped up and sounded the alarm causing both deer to sprint off in to the distance.  Either way it resulted in a few good shots.