Snakes- aauurrgghh!

The one thing wildlife-wise I seem to have an over abundance of this year is snakes. If you lay something down I swear there will be a snake under it when you go back. I know they have their place, I would never harm one, but they scare the stuffing out of me.

This snake was under two boards my husband uses to drive the riding lawn mower up into the bed of the pick-up truck. He took the lawnmower into the shop the beginning of the week and left the boards lying next to a live oak in the front yard.

Me, "Put the boards up in the barn please."
Husband, "Why? I'm just going to need them again in a couple days."
Me. "There will be a snake under there. You know there will."
Husband, "You're paranoid."

You will note the lovely scalloped appearance of my new friend, the yellow rat snake. Aka chicken snake. I believe he found a nest of guinea eggs before I did.

Borders: I couldn't even have taken the picture! It's hard to focus the camera when you're running away supressing a loud scream. You're braver than I am. I'm guessing this is not a poisonous snake? So perhaps if I see one, at least I'll know which it is and I won't totally freak. ;->
Deb

Deb-

No, rat snakes aren't poisonous (thank goodness.) I can only take pictures of snakes through the miracle of the zoom lens.

Jenny

Wow, and I thought they would only eat one egg at a time...looks like he got a little greedy, huh?

Hey neighbor, that is one well fed critter.

Do you use the guineas as watch fowl?

I got the guineas to amuse myself. :) I have two great pyrenees as watch dogs since I have a flock of sheep & goats. However, the guineas have done a great job at keeping the ticks and fire ants at bay. I tend to forget that they're a problem in our area, and I don't usually have any fire ant problems in my front pasture (3 acres) and gardens around the house. So, they've been a very good insecticide free way of controlling the fire ants. The guineas don't tear up the yard like chickens.

Guineas for fire ants! You may be on to something there.