Quote:
My other major snake hero is Bill Haast in Miami


Absolutely agree. I was fortunate enough to see his show several times while stationed at Homestead AFB 1967-68. I will never, ever, forget his Sunday show, where he brought out a, geez, I think it was a granddaddy King Cobra -- all I know is that when it raised up and extended its hood, it was higher than Haast's head, looked down on him and the audience. When that happened, the audience, which was not cordoned off or otherwise blocked from the action, uttered a collective gasp and moved several steps backward. Haast had to reach _up_ and around while waving his other hand to distract the beast. I saw this performance twice, both times successful. An incredible experience. Steve Irwin was cut very much from the same mold.

... Reed