Snake Visitation Day

There were a few small, green garden snakes and a few large black snakes that lived with us in Maryland. Since then, I haven’t seen a snake at my house until today. We live on a small fraction of an acre in suburbia so who would have thought they’ve been living with us for a while?

The sound of a grown man screaming like a girl is hilarious. He was pulling weeds around the hydrangeas (which, by the way did not produce flowers this year) when I saw him jump back. I guess I would have jumped back, too. My role as house photographer went into immediate action and I directed him to fetch a rake. He came back with a shovel. Hellooo? I knew his heart was pounding and he just couldn’t think. I commented, “Unless you intend to chop its head off, go get the rake. The heavy one!” The rake didn’t work. We lost the snake. You can’t be timid when relocating a snake. I know from experience.

Chloe has had her head in the same garden for days and now I know why. She’s a skillful hunter and recognizes the musky smell of a nervous snake, unlike her sister,

Bella, who fears a hunt and would rather keep herself safe within her hula hoop or behind my legs.


Two hours later…

We have numerous lizards and toads around the house and this poor Skink was about to be called dinner, by this:

Another snake? Two snakes in one day? It looks like a common garter snake to me – no danger. But I’m not quite sure yet.

I had my camera. I had to take a chance. Not knowing if it was deadly or if it would strike, I sat down anyway and scooted two feet away from the pretty snake and whispered, “Let’s see a little snaky lick”. Success!

It became heavenly cool this weekend! Overnight temps in the 50’s and daytime highs in the 80’s probably made the snakes move. They are also very thirsty and I have what they need. Our drought is beyond being called severe or extreme. We are in real danger here and I’m not exaggerating. I read David’s post from Leave Me Alone I’m Digging and I loved it. His frustration with the heat and drought here in NC is shared but entertaining at the same time.

Irrigation systems and spinklers are prohibited, making the pond an oasis. A Mockingbird insisted I leave before taking a dip.

Early evening mirrors the golden sunset on cool water.

The cool evening air invited me to spend a little time to photograph a Canna’s reflection.

It’s out of focus but I like it. We still have some life to see and for that, I am thankful. Now, I'm heading outdoors again to breathe the fresh air and to enjoy the end of summer. It's 6:24 p.m. I need to go see the sunset in an hour.