The "Snake House"

  Early this afternoon, there was a great need for me to escape the confines of the Little Bayou House.  While I love my little place, sometimes, the "great outdoors" calls and I have to heed its beckoning.  It is never a good idea to not bend to the whims of Mother Nature.  Since the plants in the greenhouse needed watering, I figured that would be a grand excuse.  When I finished watering, I could mosey around to my heart's content before heading back inside to chores.  

   It did not take much further than the back steps to find something interesting.  Of course, Son always claims that I am easily amused so, perhaps, others would not have been so enthused about my find.  It seems that I have a snake living under my steps!  A tiny black racer was out basking in the warm sunshine after a freezing night.  The little rascal was as thin as a lead pencil and only about fifteen inches in length.  The sighting was enough to cause me to drop to my knees and spend the next half hour photographing (and talking with) the little snake.  At one point, Son came outside to find me having a full-blown conversation with what he assumed was a pile of leaves.  It took me only a few seconds to point out his blundering ways!  There was, indeed, a very likable creature receiving my words!   Next thing I knew, Son was on his knees, too!  He has as much interest and liking for these fine critters!  "I would love to see this little guy hang around." was Son's remark about my new found friend.

  The tiny snake was most likely hatched late this summer or early fall and was hoping that it had found a safe and warm place to spend the brunt of the winter.  The old wooden steps form a perfect nook for the little one to bed down during the cold nights so I was really happy to see it slither back under after its sunbathing time was over.  The snake should be relatively safe there from any predators and it will have a ready supply of foodstuffs as I have a tendency of tossing small scraps out the back door to fertilize the pear trees on either side of the steps.  Any number of slugs, snails, bugs and lizards can be found there daily.  On warm days, the snake will not have far to wander to get its belly full!  It sounds as if I may have a very smart snake taking up residency under the back steps!  Sounds good to me!  I think I am in love with this little snaky!  (And, yes, I really did climb under the house to get the photograph of Snaky Friend in his abode!)