Saint Donatus

Reiseguide

A large adult timber rattler climbing up to the den opening. If you look closely you can see another adult timber rattlesnake just to the upper left above the head of the climbing snake in a crevice. I was about 20 feet away sitting on a rock observing the den so the climbing snake was not trying to escape or get away he was just heading back to his home. They have the ability to climb almost vertical surfaces.
What is Spring without a picture of a timber rattlesnake. Here is an adult at the den site getting ready to disperse for the Summer when they will be impossible to locate. 
They hang around the den for several weeks after exiting from hibernation until they stabilize their body temperature. The gravid females will stay right around the den all summer long while the males and non-gravid females will head into the woods up to 4 miles away to forage for rodents and other food sources. They return in late September to hang around the den before turning in for the Winter.  They always use the same den their parents used and will die if they are relocated. This den is on a vertical cliff way up high which is the only reason they have survived in this location. I really worry about the future of these snakes.
One of the last few timber rattlesnake pictures I will post. As I was climbing up the wall of a quarry I came upon a large timber rattler that was not happy with my presence. This is one of the few times I have had a timber rattlesnake rattle and I did the prudent thing and backed away. I liked this shot which I took from below the snake because it shows both the head and tail with the forked tongue out. This might appear to be a staged picture but it is not.
A cryptic 1 year old timber rattler that was tucked into the bark on a large tree stump. I walked past this snake several times before finally spotting it. The snake is much smaller than it appears. It never once moved while I was present.
A beautiful yellow phase timber rattlesnake outside of its den. These reptiles are despised by many but I think they are some of the most beautiful interesting subjects in nature. If we do not help they will be gone in 10 years. We really need to protect the last remaining den sites in the midwest. I like the way the cliff goldenrod sets off the colors of the snake. These are some of the most docile snakes in the wild. If you leave them alone you have nothing to fear.
Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark

3.5 out of 5
350 Bell St Dubuque IA
Prisen er 1 215 kr per natt fra 5. apr. til 6. apr.
1 215 kr
5. apr.–6. apr.
inkludert skatter og avgifter
Du kan bo på dette hotellet med familievennlig profil under oppholdet i Dubuque. Stedet tilbyr følgende tjenester/fasiliteter: frokost (inkludert), wi-fi (inkludert) ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 043 anmeldelser)
The staff were nice and the food was good and the kids enjoyed the arcade and pool and slides.

Anmeldelse skrevet 18. mars 2026

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark
Hotel Julien Dubuque

Hotel Julien Dubuque

3.5 out of 5
200 Main Street Dubuque IA
Prisen er 1 160 kr per natt fra 29. mars til 30. mars
1 160 kr
29. mars–30. mars
inkludert skatter og avgifter
Du kan bo på dette hotellet med spa under oppholdet i Dubuque. Stedet tilbyr følgende tjenester/fasiliteter: wi-fi (inkludert), parkering (inkludert) og spa ...
Hotel Julien Dubuque
Wyndham Garden Galena Hotel & Day Spa

Wyndham Garden Galena Hotel & Day Spa

4 out of 5
11383 US Highway 20 Galena IL
Prisen er 942 kr per natt fra 30. mars til 31. mars
942 kr
30. mars–31. mars
inkludert skatter og avgifter
Du kan bo på dette hotellet med spa under oppholdet i Galena. Stedet tilbyr følgende tjenester/fasiliteter: frokost (inkludert), wi-fi (inkludert) og parkering ...
9,4/10 Exceptional! (1 072 anmeldelser)
Clean room, nice staff. Loud lobby until midnight. May not have mattered if our room wasn’t at the top of the open staircase. Great breakfast

Anmeldelse skrevet 17. mars 2026

Wyndham Garden Galena Hotel & Day Spa
Laveste pris per natt funnet de siste 24 timene, basert på et opphold på 1 natt for 2 voksne. Priser og tilgjengelighet kan endre seg. Ytterligere vilkår kan gjelde.
Private 3BR/2BA Territory Home Nestled in the Trees - Stonecrest

Private 3BR/2BA Territory Home Nestled in the Trees - Stonecrest

Galena IL
Du kan bo i denne ferieboligen med familievennlig profil under oppholdet i Galena. Stedet tilbyr følgende tjenester/fasiliteter: wi-fi (inkludert), treningssenter ...
10/10 Exceptional! (140 anmeldelser)
We had an absolutely wonderful stay here! We were in town for skiing and a trip into Galena, both easily accessible. The house was perfectly maintained, clean, and well stocked. Tucked back off of a quiet road, it was a perfect weekend getaway. Howard had great communication up to and during our ...

Anmeldelse skrevet 26. feb. 2026

Private 3BR/2BA Territory Home Nestled in the Trees - Stonecrest
2 Story Condo ~ One of a Kind Lake Views ~ Peis ~ Easy Walk to Eagle Ridge ~

2 Story Condo ~ One of a Kind Lake Views ~ Peis ~ Easy Walk to Eagle Ridge ~

Galena IL
Du kan bo i denne leiligheten under turen til Galena. Stedet tilbyr følgende tjenester/fasiliteter: wi-fi (inkludert), privat basseng og treningssenter. Gjestene ...
2 Story Condo ~ One of a Kind Lake Views ~ Peis ~ Easy Walk to Eagle Ridge ~
Stunning views, amazing gathering spaces, hot tub

Stunning views, amazing gathering spaces, hot tub

Galena IL
Du kan bo i denne ferieboligen med familievennlig profil under oppholdet i Galena. Stedet tilbyr følgende tjenester/fasiliteter: wi-fi (inkludert), 4 utendørs ...
10/10 Exceptional! (79 anmeldelser)
Nice place. Clear instructions and plenty of towels for hot tub or pool. Would be great for a family! I give a 9.9 for cleanliness. And the bed was super comfy

Anmeldelse skrevet 3. mars 2026

Stunning views, amazing gathering spaces, hot tub
Laveste pris per natt funnet de siste 24 timene, basert på et opphold på 1 natt for 2 voksne. Priser og tilgjengelighet kan endre seg. Ytterligere vilkår kan gjelde.

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