Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup 2008

On the first weekend in May, there's a three-day rattlesnake hunt and festival in Okeene, Oklahoma. The snakes are hunted in and around the gypsum hills near Southard, between Watonga and Okeene. It's a big deal for the folks of Okeene. Rattlesnakes are hunted, handled, displayed, and butchered. Rattlesnake steaks are served by street venders. Contrary to what you may have heard, rattlesnake steaks don't taste like chicken. They taste like rattlesnake steaks.

This year, I concentrated the lens of my camera more on facial expressions than snakes. While there's a snake in almost every photo, snakes are incapable of exhibiting facial expressions. Humans, however are capable of displaying a large variety of expressions. For your pleasure and my amusement, here is a collection of photos from the 2008 Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup. Begin with the top left photograph and proceed. Enjoy... 

Click on thumbnails...