Monday, March 19, 2012

Spring Fever Is Not Just For Humans...

We have a whole bunch of bricks left over from our city courtyard project, and whenever we have the time or space to transport some to Le Rustique, we haul them out. The idea is to eventually use them to build an outdoor fireplace/grill in the back yard.

Until then, they're just stacked up along the south side of the house collecting heat. Which is apparently just fine with that particular species that needs heat the most when spring fever arrives.
This little guy figured the stack of bricks was put there just for him. Can you believe he
waited for me to run back into the house for my camera?
He looks like a ribbon garter snake, except that his belly is cream-colored instead of green. I think his striping is just a little different than an eastern garter, too, but he's definitely some type of garter snake.
Remember when garden hoses were striped like this? I'm glad they're mostly bright green now.
Not the best picture, but you can see that he's much longer than I originally thought.
His tail drifts off  under the first course of bricks.
There has been a small hawk hanging around the back yard for the past couple days, so this little snake better watch out or he'll be a spring fever snack for a very fast bird. I'm also being cautious when I let out my pure white, three-pound Maltese for her potty breaks so she doesn't get mistaken for a rabbit.

13 comments:

  1. He is ready to help you keep varmints out of the garden isn't he?

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    1. I don't know? How big a varmint can he handle? And if he keeps hanging around my bricks or the rock garden out front, will he ever make it to the garden? BTW, Clint, are you a no-reply blogger on purpose? I can't respond to you via e-mail, and all this time I thought I was.

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  2. Yikes! He is a very long snake! I thought there were two of them for a minute there.

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  3. Long is right! I thought he might be "two" as well!!

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    1. He's as long as some of the rattlers I used to run across in Wyoming - just not as big around, nor as menacing. BTW, are you a no-reply blogger on purpose? I can't respond via e-mail.

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  4. he's a pretty one! yes, your pup needs a bodyguard!

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  5. My, that's a LOOOONNNNNGGG snake! I miss garter snakes, haven't seen one of them around the homestead here in years. Wish I could say the same for the copperheads :(

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    1. Do you think the copperheads eat the garters? I'm dreading the day I see a copperhead here at Le Rustique - it's probably just a matter of time. BTW, are you a no-reply blogger on purpose? I can't respond via e-mail.

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  6. oh you are just like me.....i don't run away, i run for the camera!! he sure is a long one!!

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  7. hmmm. This ribbon snake is about $30 in a pet store. Pretty expensive meal for Mr. Hawk. ; )

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  8. I don't like creepy crawlies. The less I see, the better.
    But you did take some nice pictures. :-)

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  9. Wow, Charade! That is a LONG snake! I haven't seen a snake around here in years. He (or she) is very pretty, but I'd keep an eye on my dog, too!

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