It Was Just a Little Snake

I am surprised you didn’t whack your head 

on an overhanging branch back there. 

I have never seen anyone leap 

straight up off the ground 

the way you did when you saw that snake!

It would make a good move 

for our next dance.

Do you think you could teach the others? 

The snake jump?

~Jennifer Frick-Ruppert, Spirit Quest

We got home from our long day and immediately headed out for a walk with Zelda - walking down the block, through the park, and back around towards the house. As we approached our yard I saw a snake in the street.

DH and Zelda were walking ahead of me. As I started yelling "Snake, snake, SNAKE!" Zelda jumped up and over the snake (she appeared to recognize the snake at the moment I started yelling). DH jumped up and sideways about a beat later.  [It is my opinion that Zelda and DH do not like snakes. Neither one wanted to get anywhere near it.] The snake kind of ruffled up...zig-zagging its entire length.

"Where's the cell phone?" 

"You have both of them."

"Dang,* I left them in the house. Watch the snake for me while I get one."

[Crazed old lady runs to the house, unlocks the door, and runs back to find dog and man standing in the street watching the snake.]

"Did it move?"

"Just a little."

"It's coming towards me. It's coming towards me. IT'S COMING TOWARDS ME!"**

Western Rat Snake. It was only about 20 inches long.

The snake stopped moving again and photos were taken. "It's not poisonous," I said. "I think it's a rat snake." And so it was.

Beautiful markings.

It was a good day for finding things in the road. Earlier this afternoon I found a small pond slider. It was the third turtle I have observed/assisted on Witter Lane. I moved the turtle across the street (in the direction it was "pointed" when I saw it.

Isn't this a beautiful turtle?

 We let the snake find it's own way across the street.


NOTES:

* Sure. I said "dang" or something like that.

** Why do I repeat everything three times? I did the same thing the other night at the amphibian watch. "Frog, frog, FROG!" Maybe the first word is like a questions to myself - then I call out to the others - then I call out with emphasis because I want to make sure everyone hears me. It's weird and kind of irritating, but I am not sure I can stop it.

Snake looks scary for us 

and we look scary for the snake! 

Always try to see yourself 

from the eyes of others!

~Mehmet Murat ildan