TOO MUCH WILDLIFE

[Elaine]

Well, yesterday will go down in the book as “interesting.”

Started off normally... about noon I was at my desk, trying to make some headway with the projects piling up, when I heard the most ungodly racket form the back yard. Lil' Claire, Halla and Titan were outside by one of the Pecan trees barking up a storm. So I went to check... they were barking at something in the grass... as I approached I began to make out a shape, there was a moment of comic relief... “Ahh, they’re barking at a turtle, just like Tungsten used to do. But this one in huge, the biggest I’ve ever seen... look at the size of that head, it’s almost as big as my fist. I gotta see this guy up close!!!”

As I approached to get a closer look, Halla, Titan and Claire were taking turns snapping at the “turtle” as though they were trying to keep it corralled. I recall thinking they seemed a bit aggressive in their response to a “turtle.” At about that time the turtle struck at Titan.

It weren't no turtle!!! It was a frickin snake... I suspect it was a water moccasin.

Never got closer, but the animal was big around as my arm, short and thick with the very distinct head of a viper.

I turned and bolted for the phone, calling the dogs to me as I ran. They all came inside with me.

“Judy!!! It’s Elaine!!! Is J.D. around??? I’ve got a big ole snake out by the Pecan Tree!!! HELP!!! ” Within a few minutes J.D. (his shotgun) and me with my garden rake were cautiously searching around the tree, going back and forth between the house and the pond. We did not find the snake. Later, when the dogs came back outside they seemed to be following a trail in the lawn, which seemed to indicate the snake had gone off towards the well pump. Charming!

The Pecan Tree and the well pump are within 30 feet of my house.

A year or so ago we found a Corn Snake, beautiful animal, not venomous, again, as big around as my arm. Huge animal, very impressive. I was nauseous, ready to move to Alaska. At least back then I could consol myself that the Corn Snake was not poisonous. But this is just too much. I’ve packed the truck, I’ll be moving north.

You all can reach me at E2’s This is just too much wildlife for me. :(

[Athy]

I share your neurosis, my sister! Aaron informed me that he'd seen a BLACK WIDOW spider near the backyard fence. I confidently informed him that we did not have such venomous spiders in Maryland, my Maryland. And of course, being the biologist that he is, he whipped out the documentation and proved me wrong! We DO have black widow spiders in Maryland!!!

I take solace in the fact that we at least do not have the dreaded brown recluse spider here in Maryland :p

I found a few snakes on my little farm when I initially moved in nine years ago but they were all harmless runners or garden snakes. No water vipers thank goodness!!!

Buy yourself some knee-high wellies, strong thick leather gloves and be strong!!!

Athy

[Niko]

That does beat my racoon in the garage story. We have been talking about moving to N.Carolina, to get away from the winters. After that story,,Maybe not so much now!:)
Cathy

[Elaine]

... and be strong!!!

Athy
That's hard to do when you're running for your life. :D And now that you've mentioned it, we have black widows to. :eek: Eeeee gads!

As for moving here to escape the winters, sure, that's a great idea... it's just that come spring,, summer and fall you need a place to go to escape NC.:D I'll see if I can find a photo of the Corn Snake. It may be in my inbox.

[Elaine]

An addendum to the snake adventure, I haven't seen the snake again... he/she is here somewhere... they tend to be territorial, it will show up again. :(

Both Halla and Lil Claire are changed by their snake encounter. Halla is more vigilant and much much more protective of me. I was out with her last night, she saw a fallen branch in the lawn under the Pecan tree, about where the snake had been. Halla’s hackles went up immediately, she lowered her head, growled and went at it, dancing gingerly around the branch for a few minutes before she was certain it was not a threat. No question, Halla was protecting me from "the snake."

Lil' Claire’s reaction fits at the other end of the spectrum. There were two Canadian Geese feeding out by the pond this morning when I put Lil’ Claire out. Claire didn’t notice them at first. She thundered down the stairs as always and trotted off across the lawn to tend to her morning business. I stayed on the balcony with my cup of coffee, enjoying the early morning sun shimmering on the glassy surface of the pond. About half way across the lawn Claire looked up, startled at the two geese. Without a moment’s hesitation she abruptly turned and bolted back up the stairs to me, jumped up beside me, with her front feet on the railing of the balcony, looking out at the geese and then up at me. I swear to god she was saying, “Look, look, look!!! Those are the biggest ugliest snakes things I’ve ever seen. I’m staying up here with you where it’s safe." :D

[andyhilt27]

I have had visuals on water moccasins here in Indiana. Some claim that there are zero this far north. I cordially invite them to my great grandfathers farm where I have indeed been graced by the prescence of one. This same gentleman that I debated this with claimed that the moccasin and cottonmouth are two different snakes. No, they are the same snake. What a fool he is. I will add my possum story to this thread as soon as I can condense the story into a few pages! Here is a great link for your viewing pleasure Elaine!! http://www.wf.net/~snake/moccasin.htm :D

[dobesign]

Tungsten protects us from ALL sorts of things! Thanks for THAT Elaine1!!! Birds, planes, and especially squirrels...I wish he would protect us from spiders as I was bitten by a brown recluse two weeks ago...nasty little bugger. I've given up pulling weeds for that very reason (darn, and I loved doing that sooooo much...ahem). And as for having a distinct snake head, it's important to recognise that...Moose is CONVINCED that such snakes as Cobra are manifested in my living room and in true Doberman style, she has demonstrated that she will fight to the death to defend us from the oscillating fan. Oh, and Elaine? Cancel that me moving to NC thing now. Snakes? Ewww...left them in NM.:D

[Elaine]

Here is a great link for your viewing pleasure Elaine!! http://www.wf.net/~snake/moccasin.htm :D
Yep, that would be our visitor... :eek:
You notice I haven't been posting.. that's cause I'm busy packing, not sure how much space E2 has for all my Christmas ornaments. :p

[andyhilt27]

Ever wonder why snakes are only found in certain states? Like they know where the state lines are. :rolleyes: According to some snake experts the moccasin is closely related to the copperhead. Snakes give me the creeps! Snakes, spiders, possums, and earwigs. I hate earwigs! Possums eat earwigs though so they can stay, but possums often have fleas! What eats fleas? Ahh yes a monkey will eat fleas. I need to get a monkey. It seems like my yard is a nature habitat in city limits. Squirrels, earwigs, possums, rabbits, bats, and a soon to be monkey. No snakes though, that I know of.

[andyhilt27]

When I was wee lad we had an infestation of fire ants. We live near Indianpolis. How did fire ants get this far north? I remember it vividly these red ants were biting the heck out of my feet and legs. Fire ants don't habitate Indiana! Maybe they came in a load of produce from Georgia or Florida. Unless someone can enlighten me on another specie of red ant that bite these were fire ants. The little critters scarred me emotionally for life.

[Elaine2]

Yep, that would be our visitor... :eek:
You notice I haven't been posting.. that's cause I'm busy packing, not sure how much space E2 has for all my Christmas ornaments. :p

We are ready for you E1. Tom put up another shed, just for your ornaments. leave the snakes at home though will you? We only have spiders here and they get sprayed twice a year, so good to go. See you soon.
E2