Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Dinner Then a Nap

Walking outside my back door, I noticed a thin trail across our lawn. I followed it with my eyes.
Hmmm. . . .?
The Phoebes are awful quiet today. . . not a peep from their nest
A drink from a gurgling fountain sounds good after a big meal
Unless you are really tired and full. Then it might just be too much trouble.
It is getting so-o-o-o hot. I think I know a cool dark place.
Just down here a ways . . .
 Getting really close now.
Ah-h-h-h, here we go.
I believe sometimes there are mice and big spiders down here.
So cool, so dark.
This floor is really cool.  Too bad that door is closed, It could be great to in there and curl up behind some of those jars of pepper jelly
"No Mice or spiders down here today. I was full anyway."
So back up stairs. "This big lump in my belly is a little hard to get over each step.  Think I'm leaving?"
"I think not!"
And on up the wall.
"I remember a ledge. . . "
"Oh, yes! a great place to lie during the heat of the day. No body will even know that I am on this ledge over the doorway. Now get that camera out of my face."
I don't think I'll be going down into the cellar until cool weather returns.
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18 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

that a big kingsnake, a bit alarming if you don't know its there

Kathy said...

I couldn't have followed this dude around taking his picture!

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

I am glad to see it in the garden, though I don't like surprises and I don't like it eating my birds. That is the trade off for the moles, bugs and mice. We have never seen a copperhead. I don't know if it is a myth that you don't have both or, if true why. But I won't kill my non-poisonous snakes.
nellie

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

and yes, I know I shouldn't kill the poisonous ones either. I

TexWisGirl said...

wow. he's beautiful! love all these photos! great post!

Karen said...

Oh, boy....I wouldn't go in the cellar until the cool weather arrives either. That is a very big snake (glad to hear non-poisonous) to have around. I haven't seen a snake in a long time around here, but they aren't that common. Great photo journal of his wanderings around your yard. Now I'll be keeping my eyes open every time I'm in the garden!

Leigh said...

Great shots! We have rat snakes occasionally, but not as often since the cats get most of the mice, chipmunks, and baby squirrels now. When we do have one show up, DH takes it back into the woods and lets it go again. We're mostly concerned about our eggs, because snakes love to eat eggs.

Mark and Gaz said...

Fantastic sequence of photos (and lucky timing too!) of a seldom featured wildlife :)

RedPat said...

Did it eat the Phoebes?

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Yep, I am sure. That is where the path led from, The babies were no longer in the nest. There is no more poop on the porch where the parents stopped on their way to feed. My only hope is that they were ready to fledge and did so as a result of the threat.
nellie

Kris said...

When I was growing up in a semi-rural area we kids encountered lots of snakes, but alas, "progress" has arrived and I can't even recall last time I saw a rat snake. Just a couple of years ago I was visiting a neighbor and I yelped in delight to see a garter snake. First thing they did was try to kill it!! I rescued it and brought it to my gardens. But I've never seen it since. It's so sad that such helpful creatures instill so much fear. Glad yours are alive and well.

Jain said...

Great series of shots, Nellie. I could almost envision that tail slithering out of sight.

I appreciated your comment over at my place. I'm still writing, it's just been a busy time at home and at work.

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

And you were there all the time with your camera !!!! that's pretty brave !

Kathy said...

Thanks for all your nice comments on my pictures. It's nice to meet you ~ even if you do post pictures of snakes! I live on a farm and I let my 90-year-old mother take care of the snakes! How's that for a wimp?

Rose said...

Nice sequence of shots...always liked seeing snakes....they are a good thing to have around.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Wow, I would never go in the cellar again....you are brave.

Robin Robinson said...

Very amusing photo "essay" and a great snake!

JSK said...

Great series! I think I might have drawn the line when it disappeared into the cellar - or when it came out again. I'd not be sure about going into the cellar even when the weather cools down either. Although I guess it's got to eat again before them. lol.