And Then There Were None!

Yesterday, I told you about the water snake that visited the small pond in the yard and how it did not want to leave. This morning at daybreak, I gingerly walked around the garden afraid that I would step on this serpent, not knowing if I had scared it away or not. As I neared the pond, I could see the head of a snake poking out from underneath the waterlilies, but wait..this did not look like the same snake! Oh no..what now? Yes, there were now two snakes in this little pond. You have to understand when I say "little", I mean little..very little. The pond only holds maybe thirty gallons of water on a good day. By a good day, I mean on a day when the water has not dehydrated to a point of no return. Right now the pond is more of a puddle..a ten gallon puddle. There is barely enough water to keep the lilies from drying up to nothing, but obviously there is enough water to be home to two snakes. Enough is enough! These critters had to go! I grabbed the boat hook and slung the first of the two pests out onto the lawn. This was not the (wanna-be moccasin) water snake..this turned out to be a true Cottonmouth. One snake that you do not want to mess with because it packs a very nasty bite. I pinned it down with the boat hook and pondered what should be my next move. Oh goodness..now I had myself in a fine fix! Here I am standing in the middle of the yard, pinning a very venomous snake to the ground with a boat hook and having no means to kill it. Ok..think..think fast..but think! What could I do? Nothing was in reach..no hoe..no shovel..not even a stick. This was not what I had in mind..WHAT was I thinking..or even had I been thinking??? Then..relief..I was never so glad to hear a tractor! My hero!..also known as my brother! He came to my rescue and vanquished the dragon! This snake was dead and I was happy..now to tend to the other rascal! This dear brother flipped the water snake out of the pond into a bucket and snapped on the lid. This one was moved to the opposite side of the property near another creek, hopefully far enough away to deter his return!

This done, the rest of the morning was spent in preparation of a tropical depression. This will be a rainmaker for us and will be a good thing for the gardens. There is only a few minor things that need to be done before small storm such a this but still they must be tended. All of the fishing gear and crab traps had to be cleared from the pier. This would be stowed until after the gale winds die and then returned to be used again. While on the pier gathering the gear, I took a moment to stare over the Bay. There were a few seagulls diving in the schools of minnows, a Great Blue Heron was wading silently along the shore and both a Night Heron and an Egret were sunning on posts. I wondered if they knew what was in store for them a just a few hours from now. How would they ride out the storm? I am sure they are much better prepared than I ever will be! It always awes me that a place that I find so peaceful can turn so very violent at times. I

am one of those diehard Bayou residents that find even storms can be enthralling. There is a certain amount of respect for the weather and water

that is required to live here. Respect..not fear of the storms that push into the area. I have always said that before any storm..one must prepare for the worst and pray for the best. But for today, the Bayou is calm..we shall wait and see what tomorrow brings..hopefully just rain.