The Big Scare!

I begin each morning with a leisurely walk through the gardens just to contemplate what all needs tending. Then in the evening, the stroll takes much the same path but the day's work is inspected and plans are made for the next day. Today was much the same as any other day, I walked ..thought ..worked and then walked again. Usually the afternoon walks include a visit to the pier where I stay until just before dark so I can catch the sunset. Sunsets are amazing peacemakers and should always be enjoyed..why else are they there? After enjoying the view and the cooling breeze, I make my way back to the house. I have never thought much about walking to the house in the waning light since there is a wonderful path leading from the pier all the way to the front door. This path was created entirely from boards that were salvaged from an old piers demolished by storms. It meanders up the hill and through several gardens including one that has a small drainage pond that catches rainwater that runs off the roof.

Tonight as I passed by the pond, I noticed something slip into the water and glide under the waterlilies. Uhh oh..snake! It was already getting dark but I knew I had to find out what kind of snake was visiting my pond..the pond a mere twenty steps from my door! I backed away thinking maybe it would surface. Holding onto the dog, I waited. Sure enough, up pops a head..then out of the water slithered the serpent. It made its way to the edge of the violet garden, then through the roses. Aha! Now I could get a clear view! Still holding onto the dog's collar to keep her from tearing through the gardens to chase the new found toy, I peered into the shadows. My, how I wished it was lighter, the sun was now setting far behind the trees and it was getting quite dark. The snake was behaving at least..just staring at me as I stared at it. At first glance, I thought it was a water snake  but I did not see the telltale bars on the lower jaw.  Second thought..a Hognose Snake..here they are also called "Puffing Adders" or "Spreading Adders". I poked at it with the "walking stick" that I always carry. The snake did not "hiss" at me nor "play dead" so I knew this was no Hognose. Aha! The process of elimination now led me to know that my visitor was a cottonmouth! This venomous snake decided to come feed upon the frogs and minnows housed in the little pond. The graveled bottom evidently is the perfect place for tadpoles to survive and the waterlilies provide plenty of places for them to hide from hungry birds. Hiding from this snake is a different story though..it just waits for them to come to it. I tried my best to shoo the snake down the hill to

the marsh, but it was determined to stay. It actually seemed to enjoy this game we were playing. I could lightly drag the end of the stick on the ground and the snake would follow it, not strike..just follow. Maybe I should have tempted it to follow all the way to the marsh but it was getting rather dark. Nightfall was making me skittish about being out playing with a snake of any kind but especially a venomous one! Tomorrow as I come out the door, I suppose I will have the dickens scared out of me by this new addition to my garden. Maybe I should be like most others and just kill all snakes. Nah..can't do it..they have a right to live, too. I just wish it did not decide to live quite so close to me!