Snakes are out and about these days. Yesterday, I watched as the ospreys squabbled over a cottonmouth and, then today, the encounters were more personal. It all started as I was pulling out all the old winter crops from the garden to make space for the summer crops. While there, I usually let the mind wander or listen to the birds. It was one of those birds that caught my attention. Papa Cardinal was making the oddest chipping noise. I called to him and asked "What's the matter, my friend?" and then went about my work. The chipping continued and then Mama joined the chorus. These are the parents of a nest full of babies in the rose bush just outside the garden fence. Ok, so Mama obviously needed help. Going to the nest, I could see she was heroically guarding it from some unseen entity. "Well, where is it, Mama?" I queried? Yeah, I talk to my birds as if they understand. Well, maybe they do. I asked again and Mama fluttered off the nest to the nearby fence and then back again. Ok! I turned and came face to face with a snake! There on the fence, mingled with the pea vines, was a rat snake almost 3ft long. Hmm...ok. Now what? Papa Cardinal was on the fig tree having conniptions, Mama was on the nest standing guard and the only other creature coming to aid was a nuthatch! Yep, a tiny nuthatch joined the fight!
Since Mama dutifully showed me where the snake was hiding, I figured it was my job to get rid of the thing that was causing their despair. Well...I reached in, grabbed the snake and tugged it out of the vines. That little rascal was feeling quite protective as it turned around and tried to nip me! Nope, Little Buddy! I swapped it to my right hand and flipped its body around the arm. Even though, I was trying to save the baby birds, there was no reason to hurt the snake. Now that I had him secure, it was photo time! After a few shots, I toted Friend Snake down the hill and released it next to a large oak tree. There was plenty of coverage for it and it was far enough from the birds...hopefully.
The next incident was on the north side of the house and involved blue jays and a quite large rat snake. Being as there was no nest nearby, I did not have to tangle with that one. I am sure it would have been a bit feistier than its little brother. After shooing the snake into a brush pile where the birds would not bother it, I resumed my yard work. All was quiet on the hillside!
Late this afternoon, Darling Daughter related an incident at her workplace. She is a speech pathologist at a senior care facility and was having a group session when they had an unexpected visitor. A small garter snake slithered into the room and was causing a big stir among the human residents! So...what does Darling Daughter do? She is like her mom, she picked up the snake and took it out into the gardens of the facility. She said she sure was not going to let anyone kill that sweet thing! Good job! That makes a mom proud! Thus ended the snaky encounters for this day...at least, I hope! I am in for the night and would not want to find one in the Little Bayou House!
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