Finally got out this evening and did some real antelope classifications, after being shut down by mud for two mornings. Unfortunately, things didn't start well.

Six miles south of town, cruising down the highway, I try to adjust the GPS so the display can be seen easier, which also involves adjusting the masked heeler. When I look back at the highway, I see the long yellow-green cylinder in my lane.

Veered into the on-coming lane to avoid it, but failed. Clipped the front three inches. So I started my evening by killing a rattlesnake.

It's in the freezer now. Along with three or four others.

I freeze them in plastic bags and use them in school and youth programs. So naturally you want them frozen in a natural position. The others are coiled, so I stretched this one out in a more natural position (probably only about 90 cm). Fingers got quite wet getting the mouth closed and the head adjusted. The wife came down to check it out, and it suddenly occurred to me that my fingers were wet, but not red.

Not all the fluids in a rattlesnake's head are blood.

Quickly rinsed off, as the wife casually asks if I've got any cuts on my hands.

Don't think so.

"Well, if you swell up, I guess we'll know."

Been almost three hours. So far, so good.

Anyway, spent the evening classifying antelope. In principle, a simple job actually. You drive around on standardized routes and record the antelope you see, separating them into does, fawns, adult bucks and yearling bucks (the ones with small cheek patches, horns shorter than their ears and the stupid look on their face).

Now, to avoid biases, you have to get all the antelope in any group classified, or you can't use the group at all. So if they're running, you've got to be fast (and able to keep four running tallies in your head at one time).

More frustrating is the hungry antelope that never raises its head as it strolls along eating, so you can't tell what it is. Ever tried staring at one desert goat through the spotting scope for more than 20 minutes?

I have.

This evening's route took me up on the Continental Divide, scouting for antelope in sagebrush surrounded by hills of pine and aspen. Nice. Especially since yesterday's rains settled all the dust, and today's sun and wind dried up the mud holes. Really a pleasant drive.

In addition to 190+ antelope, spotted six mule deer and four elk. And three kestrels, five sage grouse.

One thunderstorm.

No porcupines on porcupine meadow. A good story there, but some other time.

Heelers were in heaven, except that they never understand why they can't get out to drag race every time the truck stops. Played hide-and-seek several times at the end of the route, but they found me immediately every time. Even when I was downwind. I assume I stink.

Caught the maskless heeler cleaning up little red spots on the seat.

Yep, she's in heat. So now she's got several weeks of wearing a butt muzzle.