Oh my gosh. I have seen this on wildlife shows but never in someones garden. It is a little eerie seeing them all balled up like that. You were lucky to see their mating ritual.
Lovely photo, but too many snakes for me. Have you seen the book, A Gathering of Garter Snakes, by Bianca Lavies? Looks like you have the beginnings of your own gathering.
Rattling On, did Saint Patrick drive all of your snakes away? :<) Are there really no snakes? These are harmless little garter snakes (some people call them garden snakes), but in other parts of this country there are scary, killing sorts of snakes.
Lezlie, there are more (!!) in a picture from two summers ago:
Pamela, at my house, on my terrace steps. Check out link above. :<) Honestly, they don't hurt anybody, and scatter when we walk near them.
Margaret, do you have them at the lake??
Lisa, this is a mating ritual??? I thought they were just keeping warm. Tell me more, please. I'm wincing a little here. :<)
Karin, I was about two feet away. It was a zoom. I get as close as they let me. Oh, my southern friend, you must have many worse snakes than these little fellows. Cottonmouths and other such scary ones!!!
Clair, I have not, but will jot down the title. I have become fond of them, which surprises me a lot!
We haven't seen a garter snake at the Big Lake for years. There used to be one that sunned itself on the old well cover at the water's edge. We've definitely got them at the Lodge, where they are regular garden visitors. There's quite a large one who gets into the dogs' yard and freaks them out.
EEWWWWUUUU!!! I don't mind non-poisonous snakes too much except when there's a big wad of them (like yours). I've been known to pick up one on a stick and walk it a good ways down the road and let it go.
A rattler, copperhead, coral snake, or moccasin, though, will be looking down the barrels of my 20-gauge!
Nan, we do still have grass snakes in some parts of the UK. I think it's too cold in winter round here mostly, but very occasionally we see one out on the moors. I love most wildlife (except flies) and would be thrilled if I ever found a snake in my own garden. St Patrick allegedly drove all the snakes from Ireland, and I believe there really aren't any over there.
A quick note which I've been hoping to get to you sooner. Two days ago, New York Times, published a wonderful article on Mary Oliver in the travel section.
Think you will enjoy it. New York Times is free online.
It makes me laugh to think of your mom doing this, Les. :<) There's a great shot I missed today -of three poking their heads out of a crack in the stone, all side by side.
Margaret, I wonder if it is too damp and shady at the lake. The snakes here pretty much hang out on the warm stones. Do your dogs try and grab them? One of ours can't keep away and the other has no interest. But mostly, they are in separate areas.
Debbie, I would die of fright if I lived where there are scary snakes. Everyone has their 'nature' limits. :<)
Rattling On, thank you for coming back and telling me more. They are quite fascinating little creatures, though I wouldn't want them in the house. A friend of Tom's looked down at the floor and picked up what looked like a sock and it was a snake. Don't think I'd get over that!!!
Joyce, I was kind of taken with it that the snakes were so close. As you see, one of the faces has worn away with time. I don't have anything else in this line, but I am fond of the rabbits.
Susan, I laughed right out loud at your word 'unnerving' - very funny. I think I might find it creepy if they crawled over the rabbits. I'd probably move the statues. :<)
Linda, thank you, thank you! I'll head right over there.
I know they are harmless but when I see a snake I want to RUN. This many, even harmless garter snakes, would give me fantods. Your cats are obviously being VERY lazy and you have plenty of evidence of that, haven't you?
KSV, my now famous :<) blog header cats don't go outdoors. We lost two cats to coyotes and two to fishers, and said that's it. No more outdoor life for kitties.
You must read The Hopes of Snakes by Lisa Couturier. It is a wonderful series of essays about animals who live beside us or near us even in the cities and 'burbs. Beautifully written.
I'll answer your comments as soon as I possibly can. Please do come back if you've asked a question. Also, you may comment on any post, no matter how old, and I will see it.
I am impressed and a little jealous of all your snakes. So much wilder than anything we can offer in the UK...
ReplyDeleteLooks like your buddies are multiplying! Are you sure Medusa doesn't live out there somewhere? :-)
ReplyDeleteLezlie
Holy Mackerel!!
ReplyDeleteNot at your house, I hope.
That scared me through the screen!!
That's a lot of little snakes!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. I have seen this on wildlife shows but never in someones garden. It is a little eerie seeing them all balled up like that. You were lucky to see their mating ritual.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo, but too many snakes for me. Have you seen the book, A Gathering of Garter Snakes, by Bianca Lavies? Looks like you have the beginnings of your own gathering.
ReplyDeleteRattling On, did Saint Patrick drive all of your snakes away? :<) Are there really no snakes? These are harmless little garter snakes (some people call them garden snakes), but in other parts of this country there are scary, killing sorts of snakes.
ReplyDeleteLezlie, there are more (!!) in a picture from two summers ago:
http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-many-is-too-many.html
Pamela, at my house, on my terrace steps. Check out link above. :<) Honestly, they don't hurt anybody, and scatter when we walk near them.
Margaret, do you have them at the lake??
Lisa, this is a mating ritual??? I thought they were just keeping warm. Tell me more, please. I'm wincing a little here. :<)
Karin, I was about two feet away. It was a zoom. I get as close as they let me. Oh, my southern friend, you must have many worse snakes than these little fellows. Cottonmouths and other such scary ones!!!
Clair, I have not, but will jot down the title. I have become fond of them, which surprises me a lot!
I am pretty sure when my mom opened up your blog today, she quickly closed it right back up! She and I do not like snakes one bit! :)
ReplyDeleteWe haven't seen a garter snake at the Big Lake for years. There used to be one that sunned itself on the old well cover at the water's edge. We've definitely got them at the Lodge, where they are regular garden visitors. There's quite a large one who gets into the dogs' yard and freaks them out.
ReplyDeleteEEWWWWUUUU!!! I don't mind non-poisonous snakes too much except when there's a big wad of them (like yours). I've been known to pick up one on a stick and walk it a good ways down the road and let it go.
ReplyDeleteA rattler, copperhead, coral snake, or moccasin, though, will be looking down the barrels of my 20-gauge!
Nan, we do still have grass snakes in some parts of the UK. I think it's too cold in winter round here mostly, but very occasionally we see one out on the moors.
ReplyDeleteI love most wildlife (except flies) and would be thrilled if I ever found a snake in my own garden.
St Patrick allegedly drove all the snakes from Ireland, and I believe there really aren't any over there.
LOL! this is almost a "lion and lamb" sort of picture, with the little rabbit statuary! Love it!
ReplyDeletesort of spooky there, Nan! Something about them next to the little bunny statues that is especially unnerving.
ReplyDeleteNan,
ReplyDeleteA quick note which I've been hoping to get to you sooner. Two days ago, New York Times, published a wonderful article on Mary Oliver in the travel section.
Think you will enjoy it. New York Times is free online.
Enjoy
It makes me laugh to think of your mom doing this, Les. :<) There's a great shot I missed today -of three poking their heads out of a crack in the stone, all side by side.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I wonder if it is too damp and shady at the lake. The snakes here pretty much hang out on the warm stones. Do your dogs try and grab them? One of ours can't keep away and the other has no interest. But mostly, they are in separate areas.
Debbie, I would die of fright if I lived where there are scary snakes. Everyone has their 'nature' limits. :<)
Rattling On, thank you for coming back and telling me more. They are quite fascinating little creatures, though I wouldn't want them in the house. A friend of Tom's looked down at the floor and picked up what looked like a sock and it was a snake. Don't think I'd get over that!!!
Joyce, I was kind of taken with it that the snakes were so close. As you see, one of the faces has worn away with time. I don't have anything else in this line, but I am fond of the rabbits.
Susan, I laughed right out loud at your word 'unnerving' - very funny. I think I might find it creepy if they crawled over the rabbits. I'd probably move the statues. :<)
Linda, thank you, thank you! I'll head right over there.
Oh Nan, your new header has made me forgive you for the snakes, completely! Thank you for posting it as gentle balm for us sensitive souls!!
ReplyDeleteCarole
I know they are harmless but when I see a snake I want to RUN. This many, even harmless garter snakes, would give me fantods. Your cats are obviously being VERY lazy and you have plenty of evidence of that, haven't you?
ReplyDeleteCarole, I love what you wrote!
ReplyDeleteKSV, my now famous :<) blog header cats don't go outdoors. We lost two cats to coyotes and two to fishers, and said that's it. No more outdoor life for kitties.
Tynan and I found a dead snake on the road yesterday. I was sorry about that because we like to have snakes in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThat always makes me sad, too.
ReplyDeleteYou must read The Hopes of Snakes by Lisa Couturier. It is a wonderful series of essays about animals who live beside us or near us even in the cities and 'burbs. Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteLee, thank you for the recommendation. I'll look into it.
ReplyDelete