She has been running here and running there and gardening and...and....and doing all manner of things that needed to be done.
She went to the summer pasture today (where she was camping last weekend) to visit the friends who are still camped there. When she got out of her truck in order to open the gate, she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye. When she looked again, she realized she had almost stepped on this:
(click on the image to enlarge)Her immediate reaction? "Holy crap...that's a snake!"
The Bag Lady is not a screamer - she is not prone to hysterics or dramatics, but being that close to a snake gave her the willies! He (she? it?) stayed absolutely motionless, which allowed the Bag Lady to gather her wits enough to pull out her camera so she could share the experience with you!
For those of you who are not acquainted with snakes, this is (as far as the Bag Lady knows) a Red-sided Garter snake. The most common snake in North America. You can't see them in this particular photo, but there were red marks along the side of it's body. The Bag Lady knows this because she poked it with a piece of grass to get it to move so she could get back in her truck! When it moved, she could see the red marks. ~~shudder~~ The Bag Lady doesn't like snakes.
She just wanted to share this experience with you. Hope you appreciate it!
24 comments:
ok since IM NOT THERE my initial thought was HOW COOL IS THAT SKIN?
nature fascinates me----when it's far away.
happy weekend, BL
Snakes are not my favourite creatures either but I totally would have pulled out the camera too. ;)
I hate snakes. I remember when I was single and living out in the country, had a dirt drive way about 1/4 mile long. After returning home one day, there was a huge, fat, black rat snack laying across the drive. I couldn't get to the the house because it wouldn't move........it was that BIG!!! I sat in my car and honked and honked at it till it slithered away. After that, I was always nervous when I cut the grass. They are harmless to humans but so big and scary looking!
I love snakes...when I know they're there. I was ruined by a childhood of walking in the woods where my best friend's grandfather ran his hogs. Now, walking in other woods, I forget about them 59 minutes out of the hour and then go "Yikes! I should watch for snakes!" I've never seen a poisonous snake outside of a zoo, but I know they're out there.
Mary Anne in Kentucky
Mizfit - Once I got over the initial surprise, I was fascinated, too. I'm sure I surprised him as much as I was surprised! He was probably just lyin' in the sun, soakin' up some rays. Probably had quite a tale to tell when he slithered back into the den.....
Hilary - If you had been there, everyone would have seen the red on his sides, because you would have managed much better photos!
New*me - I'd have done the same thing! Wouldn't have been able to run over it, but wouldn't want to get out of the vehicle, either!
Mary Anne - I do not love snakes. I haven't seen one for years, because we don't have many around here. I never even think about watching out for them. There are poisonous snakes in southern Alberta, but all we have around here are garter snakes. Thank Heavens!
Oh that is so cool. I haven't seen a garter snake in decades. Wayne and I played with them when he stayed with us for two weeks in 1969. He could find them easily, but I never could. Anyway, I associate said snake with our late cousin. Thanks for this pic. Good memories.
Great picture! I kinda thought it was a pretty snake myself, but I can understand that it would be startling. I used to see these at home (where I grew up) from time to time.
dfLeah - glad to bring back some good memories for you, cousin!
"Snakes...why did it have to be... snakes...?"
Ugh. snakes are the only creature that cause me to involuntarily scream. You could throw a rat or a big spider at my face and I'd probably try to catch it and pet it.
We have garter snakes living under the cement blocks around out pool, and sometimes while swimming you'd see two little eyes shining out at you... creeeeeeepy.
Haley - I'm not a fan of snakes. Garter snakes love water, apparently. Must be why he was hanging around where he was - there is a pond close by. I admit, I screamed just a little when I saw it....
I like snakes just fine as long as they're of the non-venomous variety. We have a few dangerous snakes in my neck of the woods but generally not in the city proper, so I don't ever worry about it.
That was a nice picture you got!
Thanks, BG. I admit, my first thought was NOT to take a picture! Just wish I'd had the presence of mind to turn on the video camera before I poked him with the piece of grass! The way he coiled up and moved away was very cool. And very fast!
df Bag Lady,
City Girl reporting that I have actually seen one of these snakes up close and personal when I was a child. It was hanging out on my aunt's front patio in New Jersey and we all stood around looking at it until it got bored with us and slithered away.
One of my rare experiences with nature! Thanks for the reminder.
Terrie
dfTerrie - we used to see garter snakes occasionally when I was a kid, but I haven't seen one for years.
Glad to be of service in your trip down memory lane!
I like snakes in a theoretical sort of way, but I think there's something innate in our fear of them that's hard to overcome.
I always shriek when I see one!
Crabby - I'm thinking a shriek is the perfect description of what came out of my mouth!!
Mostly because it startled me....
(yeah, right!)
That is a really good photo Sis. I can't remember the last time a saw a snake - at least one that didn't have two legs. Probably when we were kids.
Snakes are so cool! I love how you somehow manage to pull out the camera and capture pictures of things like this. My camera always chooses to hide in my bag (no matter how small the said bag is) exactly when I want to use it for things that might go away at any moment. Cameras can be sneaky like that.
I love snakes! Mind you, I'd definitely have squeaked if one had taken me by surprise like that. She must have been a real poser to let you get a picture - so pretty! Thankyou for sharing!
Love, the nature geek
TA x
Reb - I have seen one other snake slither across the road over at the lease, but this was the first time I'd seen one up close and personal since we were kids.
Sagan - good to have you back! I try to carry my camera all the time - stick it in the front pocket of my jeans so it's always handy! (Then get so excited I forget to check the settings.......~~sigh~~)
TA - I admit, I did squeak. I was almost tempted to touch it....almost. It barely moved for a couple of minutes, just it's head, following my movements. But when I tickled it under the chin with a blade of grass, it took off so fast, it was a blur!
Glad you liked it.
Good for you to have the presence of mind to have the camera handy. I always seem to miss all the best shots cos the camera is in the house, or in the car, not in my pocket where it should be. I'm not a snake lover, but I do find them fascinating creatures. I can't imagine existing without arms or legs.
shammickite - it has become habit to have the camera in my pocket! I'm not the best photographer, though.
Snakes are fascinating -- from a distance!
I WOULD DIE! PS, love ur blog!
Adventure girl - I know what you mean - my heart must be stronger than I thought! :)
Thanks, nice to hear that! Hope you come back again!
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