snakes alive!

Just walked the dogs this afternoon, in a gap between rain squalls and gusting wind. As we made our usual flourishing turn into one of the Farmer's meadows I thought I could see over 3ft of black plastic pipe laying in the grass of the gateway. I bent down to pick it up (and carry it back to the farm for disposal). The black plastic pipe looked up at me and flicked a forked tongue in response! Relaxed and happy, the rather well fed snake endured my close inspection of its head and torso, only objecting to dogs in close proximity. When Fudge actually stumbled over the thing, in all ignorance, the snake coiled like a spring, to strike, and I stepped away hurriedly. We did not return by the same route, allowing Mr/Mrs Snake time and space to make a leisurely getaway. What a treat! I assume it was a grass snake, limbering up for some kind of winter hibernation? What I know about snakes could be written on a postage stamp with space to spare!

 

One further image:

Who wants to use a print room with these facilities? Me neither. However, a quick word with the technician and she arrived, like Cinderella, and spent the afternoon making all clean and beautiful again. She really should go to the ball.

There was a large hawkish bird on the barn roof this afternoon, which rose from its perch with a wailing cry. I know as much about birds of prey as I do about snakes. However, I enjoyed a frisson of excitement as I watched it wheel away. I didn't even try for an image, or the moment would have been lost. I committed it to memory instead.

A snakey tarrah for now chucks! X