It's been a tough training season for me as far as logging miles, but this meteorologist is becoming a better herpetologist with almost every run. Earlier this summer I came across a lightning quick Water Snake coiled along the trail near the Gunpowder river. Yesterday's lesson involved identifying a snake which was displaying cobra-like behavior. My teacher, as always, was WBAL Radio morning newsman Bill Vanko. It was easy for Bill to lead me in the direction of an Eastern Hognose when I told him the telltale sign of the snake spreading the skin behind his neck very wide. This behavior and the yellowish color with grey/black blotches narrowed the possibilities quickly. The snake was moving steadily across the trail as I approached, then paused in the grass allowing me to get a nice view of him. Once again, Bill scolded me for not having a camera but I'm not sure he understands that my intention is to complete a training run, not find snakes...they just seem to find me! Since I didn't have my camera, I've posted a picture from the internet. If you're worried about running into an Eastern Hognose during your workout, Bill says relax, they aren't dangerous and will roll over, stick out their tongue and play dead if threatened. Something he says is actually quite comical to see. Hmm...wonder what I'll see on Friday's run?

Tom Tasselmyer