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.
In view of the current social distancing order, I fully discourage any visitors to the Bayou. I live here. You don't. There is no need for you to come. After all this is over and the virus has been defeated...you are welcome. Not now, however. I have stuck with the idea that without a host, the virus will die. Mark, on the other hand, still comes and goes as he pleases. It bothers me but nothing can be done so I do not even attempt. I spend a good bit of time outside deep-breathing our fresh air, getting plenty of sunshine and doing yard work. Great progress is happening in the garden!
Today, that social distancing put me to installing some gravel guards for the roof drain. The way our house is shaped, rain pours down with a vengeance and washes gullies as it does. I have tried everything but it seems as if this gravel drain some forty feet long is the only surefire way of coping with the destructive power of water! The gravel guards will keep the gravel, itself, from being strewn into the lawn and then flung about by the mower. I was on my hands and knees when a visitor showed up. Surprisingly...this one I welcomed! In fact, I was overjoyed to stop work, sit a spell and enjoy a bit of company. It was delightful!
A Southern Black Racer decided to investigate what I was doing in the garden. While I was working, a movement caught my eye and I turned to see the snake making its way to me. I was quite sure that it would veer off course to avoid me but, nope, it came straight in to visit! The snake slithered up to the pile of large rocks that I had removed from the edge of the drain and then proceeded to inch closer. Once it was about two feet from me, it stopped, started flicking its tongue and stared. Oh, sweet thing! Even when I slowly reached over to get the camera, the snake kept its place. For a good half hour, my new friend and I shared some quality time. I welcomed it to the garden and told it that I would prefer it chose the area as its permanent residence. How sweet would that be???
Even though I have taken to talking to critters, I promise that this whole isolation thing has not twisted the brain. It has always been this way. To be totally honest, I am fully enjoying my "alone time" as I am getting so much accomplished! And...I am meeting new friends along the way.
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!)
