Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Walking in snake country

My daughter and I headed out for a walk last saturday morning. I took the dog along with us. We were walking along the river channel, it's a favourite for her...she's a retriever so loves to play in and around the water...as does Janelle!

Here are a few pictures from the walk.


Goldie (aka Fat Dog heeheehee)


A beaver pond




A rim in the creek. I thought I was being all artsy fartsy with this one until Lindsay asked me why I was taking pictures of garbage?!! sheeesh.


Then we found this guy! Yikes!! I wasn't sure what he was until I got home and googled him...



It looks very much like a rattlesnake, but as it turned out it was actually a harmless gopher/bull snake. A type of constrictor I guess. Lindsay is now informing me that of course it's a constrictor--how else would it kill it's prey?? (me)Well....I don't know....I thought maybe it bit it's prey to death....oh dear... guess I just never thought about it before. She's now rolling on the floor in great fits of laughter. :-S



Can you pick out the snake in the picture below...I wanted to show the length of it so it's a bit far away and hard to see.





It was morning when we were out there. The snake was laying in the sun warming itself. Apparently they kind of "freeze" up at night since they are cold blooded. After about 30 minutes of us watching him, he very slowly slithered under the rocks. So off we went and continued our walk.


The snake's head.











On our way back we stopped to see if the snake was still at the same place. It was gone but this little guy was in his place. This is just a common garter snake. I won't be so quick to climb around on rocks to take pictures anymore...at least not without having a real good look first!!

12 comments:

Writer in Residence said...

I see you are making great use of your new Camera - well done...

They are wonderful photo's including your captions...

I guess with so many snakes - it must be a case of wearing wee 'wellies' all the time.

Now what does a 'constrictor' do - Heather???

Heather K said...

Oh Peter,thank you for asking I don't feel quite so dumb now! lol. A constrictor squeezes it's prey so that it can't breathe and then it dies...that is the prey dies!

K said...

Hi Heather- I LOVE your new pictures! Very artistic! Even the garbage. When we lived in Drumheller there were quite a few Bull snakes. Yuck. I didnt know you had a Retriever too. We need to get together and take the dogs out too!

K said...

okay- you know what is funny? I looked at your last post and saw that I left you a comment signed in as Aidan! He has a little private blog with monster trucks and he must have been signed in. sorry!

Writer in Residence said...

With sunshine and warmth outdoors - inviting will be the camera at the ready - for education from the young - keep learning!!!!

And enjoy the experience.

Heather K said...

thanks for the compliments!
and Kelly...I'm glad you let me know that about Aidan! I was trying not to be freaked out about some guy telling me it was a beautiful picture of me!! and looking forward to more! Especially since it was his first time on my blog!! :D I'm sitting here chuckling now! sigh..relieved!

Heather K said...

oh and Peter...we really don't have that many snakes around here...we must have been in the right place at the right(wrong if you hate snakes!) time I guess.

K said...

Hi again!

I just thought Janelle may like this- we adopted a newborn kitten from a homeschooling family here. It wouldnt latch onto it's mama, so we are hand feeding it and started a little blog for the homeschoolers (or anyone else) if they are interested in following his progress. He is pretty tiny and weak. We are going to be posting updates quite often.I am moderating the comments to keep it safe for the kids, so if you or Janelle or anyone else comments, it goes to my inbox first then I publish it :)

Here is the link-

http://www.whiskers-onkittens.blogspot.com/

Jennifer said...

Oh my, I really really don't like snakes. Your post gives me the willies. Eek. BUT.... I am very impressed with your photography skills & your willingness to get up close and personal with these creatures :o)

Have a great weekend!

Heather K said...

Thanks Jennifer.. I must confess that the zoom on my camera is reeaal good! ;)
10X so I'm not really as close as you may think!

Anonymous said...

I luv Goldie's expression - such wisdom has she - as if she wishes to capture the scene in portrait.

I guess she is a real poser...

Well done Goldie

Kimmie said...

Heather WHERE DO YOU LIVE! Snakes and snow, yikes! The garter snake is fine, but that other fella, well I'd like it just fine if he'd stay out of my walking paths.

;-)
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted