The "Critter Neighborhood Watch Program" started their alarms early yesterday morning. I was still inside canning the last batch of muscadine syrup when I heard the ruckus. Checking the clock, it was just a little past 6am. After putting on the last lid, I stepped onto the back porch. Yep, those blue jays and wrens were cutting a flip about something back behind the pump shed. Time to investigate! I was sure this had to be a snake!
Just last week, I bemoaned the fact that nary a snake (other than the two little ribbon snakes that live in Puddle Pond) had been found around the property this year. While I am fine without finding too many cottonmouths, the absence of rat snakes, racers and water snakes was puzzling. Perhaps since the area has been receiving almost daily rains, the snakes did not need to search for water allowing them to stay well hidden. Most snakes would rather lie low and let the prey come to them than to put themselves in the wide open areas. As I eased my way to where the birds were still causing an uproar, I had to watch my step. There was no use in putting my feet down on any snake!
Sure enough, I found my target. A small rat snake was being harassed by the birds. My presence caused the birds to back off a bit. The little snake seemed appreciative and made no effort to flee. I decided that meant it wanted company of some sort other than the raucous birds. Oh, what a grand time I had holding this beauty for nigh on a half hour. My new friend and I got to know one another before I lifted it into the loft of the pump shed. There, it could hide from the birds and keep the building free of any pesky mice or rats. My morning was spent most perfectly!
