Calm, Cool and Collected

  While out and about the hillside, I always take the camera.  You never know what might pop up as a chance to get a great photograph.  Plus, I am still on the search for "hidden" critters to send to my grandlittles. Sometimes, however, those critters refuse to hide.  Recently, a warbler kept trying to perch on my camera.  I had to shoo that one away several times before it got the idea that perhaps I was a bit protective of my gear.  Then, there was today.....

  This afternoon, the sun made it a tad too warm to do much gardening so I headed back to the creek.  Being in a bog is relaxing and far more cool than the sun drenched yard.  I found a spot to rest on a leaning tree as I waited for critters to become accustomed to my presence. Other than an occasional gnat, the area was rather peaceful.  I could watch for visitors to the sun dappled clearing, yet, be comfortable at the same time. The trunk of the tree where I was sitting was only about a foot off the ground so it gave me a good view down under the small brush. As I was sitting there, I heard the slightest of movement to my right. It was more of a slithering than a footstep making me think a large skink had come to say hello.  I turned ever so slightly to find not a skink but a small snake.  

   A tiny, fifteen inch black racer eased its way closer and closer to me.  It must have been curious as to why I had invaded its territory but was not acting like a predator.  About six inches from my leather moccasin, the snake stopped.  It curled up and eyed me cautiously.  After about ten minutes, it seemed to be satisfied that I meant no harm so it relaxed enough for me to gently move the camera in range.  The snake was almost too close to get clear pictures.  It did not even attempt to move even though I had to change the camera lens to get a better shot.  

  The little black racer was such an adorably sweet snake and I felt truly blessed to have gained its trust.  Even when I stood up to head back to the Little Bayou House because of pending darkness, the snake remained.  Only after I took a few steps did it slither back into the leaf mulch to hide for the night.  Tomorrow, I will visit the leaning tree again to see if my new found friend will return.  Oh, the things you find in bogs!  Such happy places!