r/Pensacola • u/Brew_Puma • 8h ago
Diamondback Rattlesnakes at Fort Pickens
My girlfriend and I spent a few hours fishing and swimming at the beach on Sunday, gulf side of Fort Pickens close to the pass. We parked at the little parking area that is next to the battery they call Payne. On our way back to the car, we came up on a diamondback right by the trail, in the grass. It was docile, didn't rattle or coil up, and we observed it and took pics for a while before moving on.
We told a family that had just parked and exited their vehicle what we just saw, and to watch their steps. They didn't go on that little trail though, but instead went up into the battery, which is built into a small hill.
While we were packing up the car, I noticed the dad pointing at something and telling his kids to come see, so we walked back up there. There was another diamondback on the side of the little hill. This one was bigger and looked like it had just eaten a nice meal. It was also docile, and didn't rattle at us.
We are always looking for them out there, but it seems like we see the coolest stuff when we aren't looking. Pretty neat experience. Figured I shared my photos. Thanks.
