The Snake, and other photos.

We had something of a humbling experience with a snake yesterday. While Seth's dad was moving a pile of old building materials he uncovered a snake. The snake was molting and its behavior was confusing and more aggressive than we would have expected from a non-venomous snake. The human mind can play tricks on you in moments of fear and uncertainty. None of us knew what a young cottonmouth looked like and we misidentified it as a viper... though in retrospect we aren't sure why we did except that we just didn't know.

I snapped a few photos of the snake and came inside to identify it. One of the local lensmasters in my area keeps a great set of lenses about all sorts of creatures, so I found the lens Snakes of Louisiana and quickly realized that this little guy was a Garter snake... not a moccasin!

Great news... except some tragedy had already occurred outside that I won't disclose. It really does save a lot of trouble and grief to be knowledgeable and experienced with your surroundings-- whatever they happen to be but *especially* out in the country.

A few more photos to share...

The building of the chicken run last week.

The three figs growing healthy and ready to be planted.

... and a little bird's nest with a single egg.