Calm, Cool and Collected

  While out and about the hillside, I always take the camera.  You never know what might pop up as a chance to get a great photograph.  Plus, I am still on the search for "hidden" critters to send to my grandlittles. Sometimes, however, those critters refuse to hide.  Recently, a warbler kept trying to perch on my camera.  I had to shoo that one away several times before it got the idea that perhaps I was a bit protective of my gear.  Then, there was today.....

  This afternoon, the sun made it a tad too warm to do much gardening so I headed back to the creek.  Being in a bog is relaxing and far more cool than the sun drenched yard.  I found a spot to rest on a leaning tree as I waited for critters to become accustomed to my presence. Other than an occasional gnat, the area was rather peaceful.  I could watch for visitors to the sun dappled clearing, yet, be comfortable at the same time. The trunk of the tree where I was sitting was only about a foot off the ground so it gave me a good view down under the small brush. As I was sitting there, I heard the slightest of movement to my right. It was more of a slithering than a footstep making me think a large skink had come to say hello.  I turned ever so slightly to find not a skink but a small snake.  

   A tiny, fifteen inch black racer eased its way closer and closer to me.  It must have been curious as to why I had invaded its territory but was not acting like a predator.  About six inches from my leather moccasin, the snake stopped.  It curled up and eyed me cautiously.  After about ten minutes, it seemed to be satisfied that I meant no harm so it relaxed enough for me to gently move the camera in range.  The snake was almost too close to get clear pictures.  It did not even attempt to move even though I had to change the camera lens to get a better shot.  

  The little black racer was such an adorably sweet snake and I felt truly blessed to have gained its trust.  Even when I stood up to head back to the Little Bayou House because of pending darkness, the snake remained.  Only after I took a few steps did it slither back into the leaf mulch to hide for the night.  Tomorrow, I will visit the leaning tree again to see if my new found friend will return.  Oh, the things you find in bogs!  Such happy places!

Just Doing A Bit Of Periscoping!

  Early this evening (just before dark), I went out to coax the old cat inside.  It takes a lot of effort on her part and a lot of encouragement on mine to get her up the steps.  She refuses to let me carry her so this is a good ten minute or so process...usually.  Tonight, she was having no part of it.  Instead, she sat staring in the weedy daylily garden.  Well, that was a bit different.  So, I sat down next to her and stared into the garden as well.  It was not long before I spied what held her interest.

  A sleek black and white head slowly pushed its way up through the oxalis plants.  Ahh, what a beauty!  A Black Racer was hiding among the leaves!  This called for a photo session!  I hurried inside for the camera. Of all things, the cat followed wanting to be fed.  Ok...feed and water the cat then photograph the snake...if it was still there.

  It was a great surprise to find the snake only inches away from where it was originally found!  I knelt on the little deck and got face to face with the friendly Racer.  It did not move other than to slowly sink back under the leaves.  I waited. I knew that it would not take long before that curious snake came back up to investigate my presence.  Sure enough, five minutes later, the snake's head poked up through the leaves.  This time, it had slithered closer and was just a few inches from the camera. Nice!  We sat there quietly watching each other for quite some time before darkness and a hoard of mosquitoes chased me inside.  What a thrill to find this lovely snake in the garden!

  The action of the snake rising up to investigate is one that all Black Racers seem to do.  It is called "periscoping" and is one of the identifying behaviors of the snake.  They are curious and will rise up a good ten or fifteen inches to get a different view.  These snakes are great to have in the garden as they eat plenty of pests and will even eat other snakes.

  Had the Bayou Queen (cat) not been so obstinate this evening, I would have never seen the snake and would have missed out on a lovely encounter.  Love these snakes!

Sssssss....Spiders, Snakes and Storms! Oh, My!

  This crazy weather has really been smacking us here on the Bayou.  Last night saw another terrific storm slam the area just about midnight.  I watched as lightning flashed continuously over the Gulf for a half hour before finally taking aim right at us.  Just after the clock struck twelve, hail started pelting the rooftop.  The wind blew at gale force breaking limbs as if they were toothpicks.  Then, the lightning reached us...literally.  The nonstop strikes bounced across the marsh and then up the hillside until finally one large bolt made contact.  The large TV upstairs took a direct shot and was fried.  The stench of burning plastic filled the upstairs of the Little Bayou House.  Thankfully, we have not found any other damage...so far.  This weather pattern has been a weekly occurrence.

  With all of the stormy weather, the critters of the Bayou and surrounding hillside are searching for drier places.  Mark and I saw a beautiful Black Racer sunning itself on the pier ramp on one of our walks.  The snake was trying to dry out a bit after the rains and the warm sunshine probably felt rather nice.  The snake lived up to its name and quickly slithered off into the marsh as we neared.  I only wish I had been quicker with the camera!  That thing was fast!

  Then, of all things, Mark found that spiders had moved into his trolling motor.  While spiders living inside the motor is bad enough, the fact that these were Black Widow Spiders made the whole situation a tad scary! Seven fat egg sacs were like some sort of weird bombs waiting to explode and strew billions of baby Black Widows all over the boat. Creepy!  Once he found the eggs, he smashed them all and hoped that the moms were no where around the area!

  So far, we have been fortunate with little damage from the storms and with no unwanted critters trying to invade the Little Bayou House. Hopefully, that will hold throughout the summer.  I just read where the National Hurricane Center is not giving us much hope for a hurricane-free season.  In fact, they predict just the opposite which is much like what I have been saying.  A gut feeling is telling me to keep an eye on the horizon and a few hurricane supplies on hand.  Things might just get a tad rougher before getting easier.  Stay safe, folks, stay safe.

Spring is in the air!

  Ahh, yes!  Spring is in the air!  Both of the wisteria arbors are in full bloom, the Cherokee Rose has the east arbor snow white and a myriad of smaller flowers are blooming.  The birds are all nesting in and amongst the rose brambles so there is a flurry of action in the gardens. Plus!  Plus, it is time for old friends to drop in for a visit.  Spring is definitely in the air!

  Mark and I spent the day building raised beds for the remaining space in the Rose/Herb Garden.  Since the critters have taken a liking to the roots of all plants, raised beds were the only recourse.  These will hold vegetables and herbs.  Most of the flowers will still be in regular flower beds but all of my hanging baskets will be replanted with herbs. Hopefully, all of these preparations will keep the critters at bay for at least a while!

  While we were busy, I needed to make a trip from the Rose/Herb Garden to the "building station".  These two areas were on opposite sides of the yard so the trek went through the garden gate and across the little footbridge.  Or at least it was supposed to follow that path!  As I opened the south gate, I was greeted by an old friend!  Perhaps I should say that I almost stepped on my old friend!  Just before the small bridge that spans the gravel-filled drainage ditch, a four foot long Southern Black Racer was sunning itself.  What a beauty!  I stopped just short of stepping on the snake.  "Well, now!  Look at you!" I said. (Yes, I was talking with a snake.)  My friend never budged an inch.  I eased backwards to scoot inside for the camera.  This snake has been photographed more than any other, I do believe!  When I returned, my friend had not moved an inch.  It was enjoying the sunshine as much as I was.  After a few pictures, I put my camera back inside and once again attempted my errand.  The snake was still in the same position.  It was situated right in front of the little footbridge.  "Well, I guess if it is all the same with you, I will just step over you."  Since the snake did not answer, I assumed it had no qualms with me continuing my walk.

  After about ten minutes, I needed to return to the Rose/Herb Garden for another measurement.   As gingerly stepped on the footbridge.  I did not wish to disturb my friend from its basking.  Sure enough, the snake was still sunning.  I stepped over it once again and headed to the gate. At that very same time, Mark came out the front door.  I motioned for him to look near the footbridge.  We both stood admiring the sheer loveliness of the Black Racer.  After about five minutes, the snake had just about enough of us gawking at it.  It turned back toward the footbridge and slithered beneath it.  Perhaps that is where it hibernated this past winter.

  The presence of the snake made me happy.  Every good garden needs a snake or two in it to help with the bug and rodent overpopulation. This four foot Black Racer will do a fine job catching anything that dares enter the garden and with its size, it should not have to worry about too many predators chasing it!  Welcome, Black Racer, welcome to my garden!

A Way of Life

After nearly four hours of cutting along the marsh edge, I called it quits for the day.  By the time I had finished, the thermometer read 98 degrees and rising.  This I can handle but for the past two days, there has been scarcely a breath of wind.  With the humidity in the seventy percentiles, it was hot..too hot.  To cool down a bit, I reached for a nice, cooling drink of water and headed out to my seat in the garden.  Under the shade of the Black Gum Tree, I can catch whatever breeze there is and watch the birds in the feeders.  Just behind me, Confederate Jasmine and Seven Sisters Roses provide a cooling backdrop.  All was peaceful..until...

 ..a ruckus started to occur in the Day Lilies that bordered the small garden!  Something was flopping about in the tall leaves!  Rising from my bench, I nearly came face to face with a Southern Black Racer as he was in the process of swallowing a large Broad-head Skink!  Although the snake was nigh on four feet in length, the lizard was putting up quite a desperate fight.  The snake was flip-flopping about as it tried to suffocate the skink.  I know that I was probably making the snake a bit nervous by hovering so close but this was far too interesting for me to back away from the scene.

After finally subduing the skink, it did not take but a few minutes for the snake to swallow the whole thing.  It then turned  to look at me.  I suppose it was wondering if I was a threat or just a gawking bystander!  I watched as it slithered off under the leaves of the jasmine.  Job well done, Snake!  You had your supper for the evening!

Returning to my bench, I noticed something in the grass.  Obviously, the snake had just shed its skin.  This must mean that my friend is getting plenty to eat.  I picked up the cast skin and examined it.  The thing was in its entirety..one long piece from the head to the tip of the tail.  This is a pretty amazing stunt!

Thinking about the Southern Black Racer lurking in the vines just two feet behind me made me giggle.  If any of my sisters-in-law happen to stop by the Little Bayou House, we usually sit on these very same benches.  I can only imagine the shrieks and squeals if my friendly Black Racer ever makes an appearance while they are here! Few of them are as "snake-friendly" as I am.  Hide, Little Buddy, hide if anyone else is here!

Friendship in the making!

Sometimes all it takes is a bit of patience to make a new friend.  Either the intended can be scared, nervous and wary but if you are persistent, friendship usually wins the game.  Even when dealing with critters.

I was once again painting the entryway.  This is seemingly taking forever because of all of the nooks and crannies that require my being a contortionist with a paintbrush to cover all the areas.  While I was painting around one window, a snake fell (dove) out of the wisteria arbor just outside.  He landed with a splat on the ground just below my window.  I made the remark to Michael that a snake dropped in to see me.  (He was in the kitchen preparing lunch. I love my son!)  Anyway, it did not take long before that son of mine was out investigating said snake!  "Where was it?" he asked..all the while standing in the exact spot where the snake fell.  "Uhh, well, he was right there!"  Michael searched the area.  It proved not to be overly difficult to find the snake.  The critter had moved a mere two feet to the coverage of some ivy.  "Hey!  He's a beauty!"  Michael called through the window.  That did it!  Painting was halted and I, too, went snake hunting!

Sure enough, the snake was a beauty!  By this time, Michael was trying to coax the snake out of the ivy.  Mr. Snake was having difficulty deciding if we were friends or foes.  Michael gingerly sat down on the grass with his hand extended toward our future friend.  At this point, I should mention that the snake was not venomous.  It was a Southern Black Racer and is indeed a friend to all gardeners.  They will eat rodents and bugs that damage plants.  This one had just caught a large lizard and while I do like lizards in the garden, I was not about to complain to the poor snake.  He had to eat! After about fifteen minutes of quietly sitting near the snake, progress was made!  The snake's curiosity overcame its fear.  With the two of us within just a few feet of the critter, it made a slight move.  Easing ever closer to Michael's outstretched hand, the snake seemed to know we meant it no harm.  The whole time Michael was befriending the snake, I was snapping pictures! It is not everyday that one can record a friendship in the making!  Soon the snake was just an inch from his hand.  The tip of its tongue was brushing Michael's fingertips but he kept motionless.  Any abrupt movement on his part would have negated any progress made.

We stayed there a good hour..Michael and snake interacting with each other and me photographing the experience.  I do not know who was having the bigger thrill.  The snake did not even bother moving when we decided that lunch called!  I was the first to rise and ease away.  Michael extended his hand a bit more and stroked the snake's head as if to say "See you later, friend!"  This was an amazing interaction between human and critter..one that is not seen often..at least with such calmness and patience that Michael extended and to which the snake responded.  Yep..patience is an important part of friendship...any friendship.

Southern Black Racers

It is a fine feeling sitting here with the windows flung open as I listen to the multitude of crickets and frogs sing their nightly songs.  The sweet aroma of the Confederate Jasmine wafts in on the soft Bay breeze making all seem right with the world..here in my small part of it anyway.  Life is good here on the Bayou..at least by my standards.  Others may not fully appreciate just what I see in this life but that is their prerogative.  I personally would not trade it for all the riches in the world.  To my way of thinking, I live in a little piece of paradise.  Secluded..yet right in the midst of things.  Quiet..yet, full of sounds of critters.  Serene..yet, bustling with the activity of life.

Today was the first time this spring that I came across two snakes.  One that Mark found near the Frog Pond and the other was one that I discovered near the east gate of the garden.  Both were Southern Black Racers..Mark's about two and a half feet in length and the other probably a good four.  I was elated to find these two predators in my garden areas as they will devour a host of pests from rats to bugs.  I do worry that they might dine upon the baby birds, lizards, frogs and toads but I really cannot be choosy.  Ms. Ez and I will just have to be extra vigilant in guarding the birds' nests!

Southern Black Racers are slender snakes with smooth scales and are probably the snakes most encountered by people.  They are, of course, black but with white markings on their chins.  They have the typical round pupil that distinguishes most non-venomous snakes and are overall a pretty snake. (At least I think so!) Although these snakes are non-venomous, they do not hesitate to bite if cornered. Black Racers will always try to flee but will stand their ground if escape is blocked! Their young are gray with splotches of reddish brown.  The immature snakes turn black once they get about a foot long.  Black Racers are good snakes to have about the place if you have a problem with rodents and bugs.  Southern Black Racers..good snakes..good friends!