Is This the Year of the Snake?

I spotted another snake this morning on our gravel front walkway.

I stood inside the vestibule to take these photos.

It's not the same one as the other day. 

I think it's a Copperhead - a poisonous snake here in Maryland.

You decide.  Here's a photo from the MD Dept of Natural Resources.

Or is it a corn snake?

Don't think so when I compare the markings.

Whatever it is I hope it goes away.

[post script: as of Friday the snake was still there.  It found a hole in our rock wall to hang out in.]

Saturday Critters with Eileen

Looking at the DNR website I think the one I posted about earlier this week was a garter snake.

Another Snake!

Saturday my son-in-law William spotted a snake at the pond.  Daughter Emily captured this photo of it.  You can see its head in the middle of the photo.

Granddaughter told William she wanted to hold it.  She showed no fear.

I'm not sure what kind of snake this is.  Anyone recognize it?

On Monday, what did I find in the garage?

The snake caught in the mouse trap!

I contemplated leaving it for Dan to dispose but then took a shovel to move it out only to discover it was still alive.

I managed to release the trap without getting my hand close and it wriggled away.

This is the second time we have caught a snake in a mouse trap.  The first one wasn't so lucky.

What's This? (16)

I was standing in my husband's study looking out.  Something seemed out of place.  

Just didn't belong to that tree.

What is it?

Grabbed the camera.  Went out the door.  I had to get a closer look and record of what I was seeing.

Do you see it now?

A snake, probably a black snake.

Curled up in the tree.

It didn't move as I took these photos.  I'm sure it could see me.

Quite a sizable length too.

Now here's a story.  

My niece discovered a very large black snake in her laundry room on the window of the door - inside!  She called her parents and they said call animal control.  Animal control came quickly but before the arrived they told her to keep a watch on the snake.  They captured it and wanted to release it in her yard but she insisted they take it to a creek near by.  Now the question remains, where was that snake all winter?

Update on house selling:  Photos were completed on Monday.  Today the virtual tour (matter port) was done.  That was interesting, and quite a fairly new technology.  The house is to go on sale tomorrow so if you are interested in viewing the virtual tour let me know in your comments and I'll try to send you the link.

Yikes!!

 I said that this morning when I spotted the mousetrap.  We have traps in the garage but mostly catch mice with the season changes.  Never expected to catch this snake.  

Don't know what it was.  Thankfully it was good and dead.  Dan checked with a broom handle first.

I'm the one to empty the mousetraps but couldn't do it when it was a snake trap.  Dan did the tossing. Carcass will likely be gone by tomorrow with the scavengers we have around here.

Anyone recognize this one?

I know it was not a Ribbon Snake seen here.

Here's a link to Maryland snakes.  Maybe its Mole Kingsnake?

Snake Alert!

A snake was here in my front garden.

It left a calling card.

It used the butterfly bush branches to help it shed its old skin.

With gloves on I carefully removed it from the butterfly bush but couldn't keep it from breaking in two.

Here it is laid out.  4 feet long at least.

The head.

I have no idea what kind it was or more importantly where it is now!

A Surprising Visitor

This afternoon I went to fill up the watering can from the rain barrel


and came upon this visitor keeping warm in the stone wall under Sarah's window.

Can you see it curled up on the ledge of rock?


Here's a closer view.

 And even closer.  It's not as big as it looks.

I checked back later in the day when the stones were out of the sun and it was gone.

Does anyone know what kind of snake it is?