Varmit report

[tenaya]

For those that are interested, two of the baby coons from last summer still come by. Also, Momma coon is back for at least a month now. She slowly walks into the courtyard and proceeds to slowly chow down and drink. She must be preggers again. She probably about 8 years old now. There's also a couple of fat skunks out there that are probably baking a batch of young 'uns.

I also took the weed whacker to the front yard to cut back the grain weeds. There was a patch of spongy ground where there were a lot of gopher holes (the front yard is honeycombed with gopher holes--at least one hole every square yard) and WHOA! A snake slowly slithered away into a bushy area. It appears to be a King snake and was maybe 14-18 inches long. The good news it eats rodents. Yay! I'll just have to be careful when I finish the rest on Tuesday. I've included a photo:





Alas, it was overcast tonight so I couldn't see the ISS. :(

Comments

[geminia905.livejournal.com]

King snakes are wonderful to have around. In addition to rodents, they also eat poisonous snakes.

I'm so jealous. I ♥ snakes, but alas rarely see any.

Alas, it was overcast here, too.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

In my 51 years of living here, this is the third time I've seen one; the last was over twenty years ago. I was very surprised but pleased. Doubly pleased that I hadn't hurt it.

I take it Indiana has King snakes? Have you had snakes as pets?

[geminia905.livejournal.com]

Around here, you primarily see racers, garters, water moccs, copperheads, etc., but I'm pretty sure there are king snakes around here if you look close enough. There are a lot of varieties of kings and they tend to be widespread.

I was not allowed to have snakes as pets -- which is probably just as well, because as much as I love them, I'm not sure I'd do well at feeding time. ;)

[catalenamara.livejournal.com]

Wow, look at that! I love the black and yellow colors.

Sounds like you're in for a bumper crop of skunks and raccoons soon.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think Spring will be very cute this year.

Those yellow strips got my attention fast. Once I got a grip, I could appreciate how pretty the snake was. Snakes and spiders I can handle as long as I know they are there.

[catalenamara.livejournal.com]

Same here. I've seen some very striking spiders - outside - which is where they belong. (And that's my non-negotiable position...!)

I once witnessed a tarantula migration. I was driving around on an Arizona dirt road and saw what looked like a stream of water crossing the road. Turned out to be tarantulas! I parked the car some distance away - I did NOT get out - and watched for awhile before I backed up, turned around and headed back the way I came.

I find snakes fascinating, though I prefer seeing them where I know they're the safe kind....

[moonchildetoo.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to hear that mama's okay. Love the visuals of pregger raccoons & skunks - cuuute! Snakes - not so cute, even if useful ;-)

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

At least the King snake isn't poisonous so little raccoon cubs won't be in danger should they find each other. *g*