Waylaid By A Snake!

  Early this afternoon, I ventured down to the pier to check the crab traps.  So far, we have not had any luck catching many but it was worth the walk to check.  This is my way of "social distancing"!  I have banned EVERYBODY from the Little Bayou House so hiking about the place chases away any boredom.  

  It was on that hike that I veered off course and wandered the marsh line for a bit before going to the pier.  Suddenly, something made me stop in my tracks!  Usually when this happens, there is something that needs investigating.  I was not sure just what was there or where it was but SOMETHING made me stop.  It is an instinctive thing with me to be curious and to sense when a critter is nearby. Sure enough, there was a slight movement near the bottom of an old, dead pine tree. Suddenly, a head popped up!  Aha! My friend, the Black Racer, had come to visit...or, perhaps, I came to visit the snake.  

  A Southern Black Racer has this odd habit of "periscoping" when it needs to get a better view.  It will raise up sometimes fifteen inches and stare at the "intruder" (me!).  A Black Racer is one of my favorite snakes.  It is curious, gentle and very docile.  As much as I am around them and even hold them, nary a one has tried to bite me.  The snake is a gardener's friend since it loves insects, a shed's protector as it eats mice and rats and a good listener as it is very patient (yes, I did talk to it!).  

  After about a half hour, I finally made my way to the pier to check the crab traps.  No crabs!  It did not matter as the walk was eventful.  I was thankful that i had been waylaid by the snake.