Not a Pond Friend or...Bat is My Hero!

   The last post was about a lovely watersnake that visited the Frog Pond.  I was sure in hopes to see the snake stay as I am rather fond of most snakes.  I had even called the critter a "friend".  Then...another visitor and something that may not have ended too well for me.  If it had not been for the intervening of another friend, I could have been quite ill right now. 

  Yesterday morning, I opened the back door to let the cat out for his morning prowl.  He usually bounds out and heads to the Frog Pond to investigate what changed overnight.  This time, it was different.  He leapt off the deck and froze.  He did not move a muscle but only listened.  He sensed something was not right.  Thinking that the bobcat may have been still nearby after his nightly patrol, I stayed on the deck sweeping the dead leaves that had fallen from the pear trees.  Bat, the cat, did not move.  

  Finally, I decided to walk around a bit to ease the cat's mind.  He went to the far side of the Frog Pond and I stayed on the path between the pond and the house.  I was barefooted so I was careful about how I stepped on the gravel path but obviously not too observant.  A tablesaw covered by a tarp was alongside of the path.  Son had not had time to put it back in the shed the night before but, little did I know, that something was lurking under that tarp.. Suddenly, Bat barreled across the yard and under that tarp.  A huge tussle was taking place just inches from my feet!  Just as I was about to lift the tarp thinking I had to rescue some hapless critter, a snake slithered from underneath.  Bat's attack was ruthless as he chased the 3ft+ snake toward the pond.  Several times, the snake turned to face the cat but Bat was too quick and would leap behind the snake.  As soon as the snake got into the open where the morning light was a bit brighter, I realized that this was a cottonmouth.  "BAT! COME!"  I yelled for my sweet cat!  He was having no part of listening as he focused on his attack.  The snake made a hasty retreat for the small concrete pond.  Bat darted underneath the house once he realized that he could no longer continue his attack.  My heart sunk as I fretted over Bat perhaps being bitten but I really had to figure out how to get the snake out of the pond.  (I have a sweet little niece coming to visit and I sure do not want a moccasin anywhere near, if I could help it.)

  Knowing that the pond holds a little over 600 gallons of water and was filled with water hyacinths and lilies, I was in a quandary.  Keeping watch on the snake lying atop some lilies, I eased around the back side to pull the hose from the fountain.  At least that would drain some of the water making the exit of the snake a bit harder.  Then with a 5 gallon bucket, I bailed...and bailed...and bailed all the while keeping an eye on that snake.  Ugh!  This is way too much work on an old lady!  Finally, I felt comfortable enough to rush inside and call to Son to get out of bed and come help get the critter! 

  As much as I hate killing any critter, this one sadly had to go.  Son pinned the snake to the bottom with a flat hoe and I flipped it into the 5 gallon bucket.  That done, the snake was "taken care of" and disposed.  That...was no pond friend.  Now, my attention could be turned to my heroic cat!  Where was Bat and had he received another snake bite.  He was bitten (dry bite) by a cottonmouth just about a year ago and was quite sick for a few days.  I called...and hunted.  Finally, Bat came.  He looked none the worse for wear and after a thorough examination, I found no bite marks.  I sighed with relief and hugged my protector.  Oh, Bat!  You are truly amazing!   What a hero!

Big, Ole Snake

   Well, it is that time of year again when the flowers bloom, the birds sing and the moccasins start to come out of hiding.  All of those things were found today.  I was sitting with my brother in the warm sunshine when he actually noticed the birds singing and flowers blooming.  This made me smile as I have been working hard at getting the Small Gardens back in order.  His gardening skills have always inspired me and I know it is a compliment when he talks of flowers and plants with me.  The birds were not of my doing but they sure were adding to the ambiance of the visit!  He and I often did not even speak as we sat enjoying the day.

  Later, Son and I went to check the small skiff before the onset of the stormy weather to come for the next few days.  Son was leading the way and walked right past a cottonmouth without even seeing it.  I stopped, called his attention to it and we both marveled at the size of the snake.  Yep, we were sure thankful we were on that pier and out of reach of that snake!  It was a big 'un!  

  Most folks would have tried to kill the cottonmouth but, in this case, that would have caused more trouble than was called for.  To get to the snake would have put both of us in danger of being bit.  More snakebites occur when people are trying to kill a snake than any other time.  Leave it be, folks.  That snake wants no part of you just as you want no part of it.  It is best to let it go on its merry way.  We did just that.  We went our way.  The snake went its.  The birds sang.  The flowers bloomed.  All was good.

Classic Pose

   Along about dusk a couple of days ago, Mark and I made a quick trip to the pier.  On the way down the hill, I made mention that we would probably see a snake since cottonmouths are more prone to be nocturnal.  We talked as we walked and made no effort to be stealthy.  As we started up the board ramp to the pier, a sudden stench reached us.  Yep, there was a cottonmouth somewhere!  Sure enough, just a short way down the pier, I spied our snake.  At first, the snake tried to sit quietly in hopes of going unseen but, once it realized we were aware of its presence, it went into its classic cottonmouth pose.  That pearly white mouth part was a sure signal that this snake was in no mood to put up with us.

  This classic pose of the cottonmouth is sort of a last ditch warning.  First, the musky smell of a cottonmouth will often be enough to deter anyone from getting too near.  The odor is hard to describe but once you do realize what it is, you will remember.  To me, it is sort of a combination of a pair of stinky socks and the muddy smell of low tide.  (Maybe throw in a few rotten potatoes, for good measure!)  Trust me, it is not a nice smell but it gets the job done.  The stench is there to warn you that a snake is in the area.  If you do smell it, the best move is no move until you find the snake, then slowly back away.   The next warning is that body tense, head up and mouth gaping pose...the classic cottonmouth pose.  With its mouth wide open, the origin of its name is quite apparent.  The inside is cotton white.  At first, the fangs are not extended but sort of laid back in a relaxed position.  If a threat is perceived, then the fangs come into action!  At this warning, people should have the good sense to know that the snake is not going to back down.  It will hold its ground and deliver a nasty bite.  Those hollow fangs are there to inject venom.  The bite is extremely painful and you should seek medical help immediately if bitten. 

  Mark and I were safe even though the cottonmouth was doing its best to warn us of its potential.  Being high up on the pier (instead of down on the same level as the snake) gave us the advantage of safely viewing the warning actions and that classic threatening pose.  If anything can be said about the cottonmouth, at least it does give warnings!  Sometimes, however, people are just not smart enough to heed those warnings.  Folks, it is best to watch where you are treading and never, ever think a cottonmouth is smiling at you when it is gaping.  It is warning you that those fangs are ready and able to give you a whooping and it will be one you will never forget!  Don't mess with a cottonmouth.

 

Time to call it quits...

  Well, as much as I loved my little Frog Pond, the time has come to call it quits.  Even though the whole pond was tiny, it was a lot of work.  What started out as a goldfish pond ended up as a home for frogs.  In the beginning, there were some nigh on a foot long goldfish living in the little pool.  Hurricane Katrina came and took the fish to parts unknown when the flood waters overtook the property.  Afterward, I did not have the heart nor energy to restock the pond.  I allowed the frogs to move in and take over.  It was not too bad as their nightly serenades entertained the lot of us and the frogs did their part in keeping the insect pests under control.  Still, there comes a time....

  Today made me realize that I just do not have the stamina to keep up this part of the yard.  It all started at dawn during my morning hike.  I had just returned the old dog to his comfy bed and went out to check the plums.  The plum tree is just beyond the Frog Pond and, as I strolled past the area, a slight movement caught my eye.  Oh, Ms. Nycto!  You startled me!  Yes, Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess cat, was lapping up water from the pond.  Then another critter caught my eye.  Just two feet from the cat, snake was silently slithering over the edge of the pond and onto the water lilies.  Uh, oh.  That did not look like a water snake.  Could it be?

  I took a few photos so I could check the snake's identity if it slipped beneath the water.  After the photos, I eased my way to the opposite side of the little pond.  Yep.  There was that snake and it was not a good one to have this close to the Little Bayou House.  The Frog Pond is just beyond the back porch.  It may be a good ten feet from the house, if that.  The snake was none other than a cottonmouth.  While I stood watching, the snake caught one of the little green tree frogs and was attempting to swallow it.  Ms. Nycto hightailed it due to the commotion and upset the snake.   At this point, the snake regurgitated the little frog but I could tell that the wee thing was gravely injured. 

  Ok, so I needed to get that snake out of the pond with as little danger as possible.  First thing I could think to do was drain the pond.  This is done often by means of a small electric pump.  I watched as the snake settled in to catch another frog so I made a quick dash to the shed, grabbed the pump and coil of hose.  The pump was set up and dropped into the pond.  It immediately begin to drain but was far to slow.  At that rate, it would take half the day so there was nothing else to do but help it out a bit.  By this time, the snake was fully aware of my presence and had slipped into a hollow stump near the south edge of the pond.  It watched as I used a five gallon bucket to bail the water.  It took nigh on an hour of bailing to make any headway but soon there was enough slippery sloped sides to keep the snake from an easy getaway.  I woke Son and we proceeded to capture our snaky fiend.

  The capturing process involved the five gallon bucket, a water hose and a potato rake. The bucket was laid on its side at one end of the pond and I used the water hose to direct the moccasin into it.  This was not an easy task as the snake only wanted out of that pond!  But, eventually, the snake complied and slithered into the bucket.  At that exact time, Son slipped the prongs of the potato rake under the handle of the bucket and set it upright!!  Aha!  The serpent was captured!  Another bucket was slipped atop to keep the critter inside.  Now...what to do.  I have this "no-kill" mantra but, in this case, that was not an option.  The snake had already found a ready supply of meals via the thousands of frogs.  I hated it but the snake had to go.  I could not take the chance that it would attempt a return.  The old dog does not see well any more and may step right on the snake.  (He did step on a turtle yesterday!  A turtle..mind you!  How do you step on a turtle?)  So, as much as it sickened me to do it, the snake was killed and tossed where the alligators could dine upon it.  

  All of this saga made me realize that it was high time for the Frog Pond to cease to exist.  The work involved in cleaning it, the upkeep of pumps, filters and liners and the potential threat of a venomous snake taking up residence was just too much for this old lady to handle.  Time to call it quits.  So, very little water was returned to the pond.  There is just enough to allow the tadpoles time to morph into frogs.  After they do their thing, the pond will be completely drained, liner and plants removed and the whole area will be filled with soil.  Grass will soon cover the spot and the pond will be nothing but a memory after twenty some odd years.  Things are changing.

Don't Be Foolhardy!

  Here it is the first day of April and we are cold.  Well, cold for the Deep South and, believe me, everyone is complaining...as if that will do any good whatsoever.  While I admit it is a bit chilly, it feels good!  There are no gnats when the temperature is cool!  I will wear a long sleeve shirt if it means I will not be eaten alive by those little buggers!  Still, that cool weather should be a deterrent to more than just the gnats but, obviously, it is not.  

  Early this afternoon, the outdoors called and I heeded that call.  The old dog, Mr. PJ, has been feeling poorly, so he opted to stay on his bed instead of gallivanting about the hillside.  It is just as well.  It never occurred to me that snakes would be out with the wind chill being nippy.  Just to the side of the pier, marsh mats are laid flat after a bit of unusually high tide.  It seems that the mats are a haven for a good many critters and that includes snakes.  As I was photographing some shells, a musky odor caught me off guard.  Uh, oh.  I knew that smell.  This was no April Fool's joke!  Somewhere nearby there had to be a snake.  So...I eased back to a sitting position from my knees and waited and looked.  

  Slightly to my left, a cottonmouth moccasin was soaking up a bit of sunshine.  The snake obviously had been far under the marsh mats because it was still "wearing" a thin layer of mud but, even with that disguise, I knew exactly who was nearby.  The snake and I sat about eight feet apart for the better part of a half hour before it decided to take refuge back under the marsh mat.  

  The action of the moccasin proved that snakes are "not out to get you" like so many folks believe.  Instead, my calm behavior was met with its calm behavior.  Neither of us threatened the other so the meeting was non-eventful other than me getting some photographs.  It pays to keep calm and do some levelheaded thinking instead of being rash and doing something foolhardy.  

First One of the Season

  This afternoon, I decided that I needed to escape the confines of the Little Bayou House.  Lately, I have had to take care of the old dog, Mr. PJ, so hikes were out of the question.  His health comes first and since he has separation anxiety due to age, I had to stay within a few feet of him at all times.  However, Son volunteered to dote on the old fellow so I could go out to clear my brain of all worries.  While it was heavenly to be back on the trail again, so to speak, I missed the dog's presence.  I guess I have grown too attached to the old boy even though he is technically not my dog.  I am fostering him for my son and daughter-in-law...albeit obviously for the rest of his life.  So maybe he is not my dog but he is my friend...so be it.

  In a way, it was good that the dog was not with me on this particular hike.  Before he became ill,  he had taken to venturing too near the marsh to do his business.  Not being a true Bayou Dog, he had no idea the dangers that lurked there.  My hike this afternoon took me directly on top of one of those dangers.  The recent high tides has left behind marsh mats that are quite thick and obviously make good houses.  As I was wandering about this day, a huge cottonmouth was sunning on a mat right next to the pier. I stepped on the pier and immediately saw the snake.  It was a big 'un!!  

  Watching the cottonmouth, it was soon evident that this guy was in no hurry to leave.  It made no attempt to slip back under the marsh mat but also made no threat to me.  Contrary to what most folks believe, they are not aggressive.  However, had I made one misstep, or aggravated the snake, the story might have ended differently.  I could have easily ended up with a nasty bite.  The snake was definitely within striking distance.  

  So, folks, with the warm weather as of late, be careful!  The snakes are out doing their snaky things and, if you are not careful, that includes protecting themselves by biting.  I think the old dog will be taken on the other side of the house for a while.  His senses are not what they used to be and his reaction time is way too slow.  No need to put him in danger. We will play it safe.

There's an "Old Man" in my Greenhouse!

  For the past few months, I have spent a goodly amount of time puttering about the greenhouse.  It is one of my favorite places to be both winter and summer.  During the cold months, I can usually find the place snug and warm against the icy winds coming across the water. When it is hot outside, those same winds pour through the open windows making it a cooling spot to be.  With all that puttering about, though, things started getting a mite cluttered.  That greenhouse needed a good cleaning so I set about rearranging, discarding and generally tidying things a bit.  More than once, I was a tad startled by what I thought was a moccasin.  It would not be too unusual for a snake to slither inside searching for a drier place.  Plus, the wren that is nesting in the corner could possibly draw a snake in for a meal of bird eggs.  I was fortunate that those "scares" proved to be unfounded and no snake had made its way inside the greenhouse.

  What I had found was an "Old Man".   Mushrooms had sprouted up everywhere in the warm, humid climate held within the greenhouse. The coloring and blotches of some of the mushrooms were quite similar to a snake's skin and when you get a whole bundle of them together, well, they just resemble a snake. Pop had always called these "Old Men of the Woods".  I am not sure what brought about that name or if it really is the name of the mushrooms but I will most likely always refer to them as "Old Men of the Woods", although, "Moccasin Mushroom" might run a close second as a nickname!

  I should have actually known that the mushrooms were in the greenhouse simply by the musty odor emanating from the building. These mushrooms have a very distinct smell which, for lack of a better description, smells a lot like really stinky socks!  Smelling that bad, the "Old Men" had to go.  I toppled and tossed a dozen or so of the mushrooms each smellier than the one before.  Now, the greenhouse is cleaner and much nice smelling!  Sorry, Old Man, you cannot stay in my greenhouse!

The Big Scare!

I begin each morning with a leisurely walk through the gardens just to contemplate what all needs tending. Then in the evening, the stroll takes much the same path but the day's work is inspected and plans are made for the next day. Today was much the same as any other day, I walked ..thought ..worked and then walked again. Usually the afternoon walks include a visit to the pier where I stay until just before dark so I can catch the sunset. Sunsets are amazing peacemakers and should always be enjoyed..why else are they there? After enjoying the view and the cooling breeze, I make my way back to the house. I have never thought much about walking to the house in the waning light since there is a wonderful path leading from the pier all the way to the front door. This path was created entirely from boards that were salvaged from an old piers demolished by storms. It meanders up the hill and through several gardens including one that has a small drainage pond that catches rainwater that runs off the roof.

Tonight as I passed by the pond, I noticed something slip into the water and glide under the waterlilies. Uhh oh..snake! It was already getting dark but I knew I had to find out what kind of snake was visiting my pond..the pond a mere twenty steps from my door! I backed away thinking maybe it would surface. Holding onto the dog, I waited. Sure enough, up pops a head..then out of the water slithered the serpent. It made its way to the edge of the violet garden, then through the roses. Aha! Now I could get a clear view! Still holding onto the dog's collar to keep her from tearing through the gardens to chase the new found toy, I peered into the shadows. My, how I wished it was lighter, the sun was now setting far behind the trees and it was getting quite dark. The snake was behaving at least..just staring at me as I stared at it. At first glance, I thought it was a water snake  but I did not see the telltale bars on the lower jaw.  Second thought..a Hognose Snake..here they are also called "Puffing Adders" or "Spreading Adders". I poked at it with the "walking stick" that I always carry. The snake did not "hiss" at me nor "play dead" so I knew this was no Hognose. Aha! The process of elimination now led me to know that my visitor was a cottonmouth! This venomous snake decided to come feed upon the frogs and minnows housed in the little pond. The graveled bottom evidently is the perfect place for tadpoles to survive and the waterlilies provide plenty of places for them to hide from hungry birds. Hiding from this snake is a different story though..it just waits for them to come to it. I tried my best to shoo the snake down the hill to

the marsh, but it was determined to stay. It actually seemed to enjoy this game we were playing. I could lightly drag the end of the stick on the ground and the snake would follow it, not strike..just follow. Maybe I should have tempted it to follow all the way to the marsh but it was getting rather dark. Nightfall was making me skittish about being out playing with a snake of any kind but especially a venomous one! Tomorrow as I come out the door, I suppose I will have the dickens scared out of me by this new addition to my garden. Maybe I should be like most others and just kill all snakes. Nah..can't do it..they have a right to live, too. I just wish it did not decide to live quite so close to me!