The Snake

Marie went home this morning. Renée is still here in Rapid City.

When I was entering my car in the driveway as we were on our way to lunch today, I heard a rustling behind me where from I should not have heard rustling. I turned and saw a four foot long snake - basic dark green with two yellow stripes and one red stripe going down the length of its body. While it was very tempting to grab it, I had no idea what kind of snake it was, so I was content to observe it.

The snake appeared to have no interest in attacking, just getting away, which it slowly did. Back from lunch, we did some research and believe the animal to be a common garter snake. They are not poisonous, and will hunt and eat undesirable intruders such as field mice and mosquitoes. This one had very nice coloring.

I have never seen a snake on this property before, but, the snake the children reported the other day is real and has a home in the railroad ties holding up the street from our driveway. I will try to get a picture...

Happy Birtday, Joan!

Uncle Bob
July 22, 2008