MORE SNAKE VISITORS

Both the local & national news -- Internet/print/radio & TV -- is lately filled with stories & pictures of the massive flooding through out the Mississippi River basin.  While much of the focus has been on the high water surrounding Memphis, Arkansas has not been spared.

Locally, I am still diverted from my normal road into the city, as it continues to be covered in H2O, & from the depth the H2O in surrounding streams & ditches, the road will remain closed for quite some time.

State wide, the Interstate 40 & Highway 70 flooding still hampers traffic trying to traverse Arkansas due to the flooding of the White River. The high H2O levels of the Mississippi River impact the drainage of the White River & delays the clearing of flooding from the highways & farmland.

In several of the news items I have read on the Internet & watched on TV regarding the flooding, the report included mention of the animals -- wild & domestic -- displaced from their homes. In the "wild" category, most often mentioned are alligators & snakes.

While the flooding on my property quickly receded after the rain storms, it seems I too have had more than my normal share of slivering visitors.  Some new faces arrived in the past few days.

While raking some leaves in the yard, as I gathered up a bunch to transfer to the yard cart, a large Brown H2O Snake fell at my feet. While the visual impression may repulse a few readers, I can assure you my (repaired) heart skipped a few beats when the snake landed at my feet.  When it comes to snakes ... I like a bit more warning of their presence.

I didn't have much time to view the snake, as it hit the ground running ... ah, slithering ... & was quickly heading North, as I was taking a few steps South. No time to grab the camera for a photo of "Big Boy".

It wasn't long before another legless reptile paid a visit to my yard; a snake more in size to my liking.

Traveling through my front yard was a Green Snake -- where do they come up with these names ?? -- about 15-18 inches in length.  A bug eater, it's also the right size to attract curious cats.  Thankfully, none of The Girls where with me when this snake was encountered.

This snake did remain placid long enough for me to get my camera & take these photos.  He or she -- I didn't "check" -- was then escorted away from the two "danger areas" -- "cat country" & the front road -- & placed where it would continue on it's journey.

These snake "visitors" always keep me attentive to my surroundings here at home, flooding or not.