Mountain Sushi

An Aquatic Western Garter Snake enjoys some fresh native Rainbow Trout in a small creek near Eagle Spur. I was wading in the creek photographing some interesting metamorphic rock when I felt something wrap around my legs. I freaked because I thought it was a rattlesnake, since I had seen at least ten on that day. I jumped out of the water. The snake also freaked and quickly backed out of the water with the trout in its mouth. He then froze on the bank, and I snapped some photos as the trout slowly disappeared down his throat. This river habitat--from Simpson Meadow to Yucca Point--is some of the most remote and pristine wilderness I have witnessed. I have not been back since the fire of 2008, but I'm sure it will be just fine--better fire than logging or dams. Middle Fork of The Kings River, Sequoia Kings Canyon NP/Monarch Wilderness, California, USA. July 1987. Kodachrome 64.