A Hot One

When sunrise looks like this in summertime, we know we're in for a hot day.

Just at first though, it's lovely -- the air cool on my skin as I go out to fill the birdfeeder, the fragrance of roses and honeysuckle wafting over the dew-wet grass, birds calling, including one who says over and over, "Sweet! Sweet! Sweet!" A new hatched butterfly (a Spangled Fritillary maybe?) clings to one of the French doors, beating his wings to dry them.

As I'm watering some recently planted flowers above the rock wall behind our house, a huge black snake lunges out of hiding, coming toward me at approximately the speed of light. My gargling shriek of surprise unsettles both of us but then I grab my camera and spend a little time following him. He must have just shed his skin and is gorgeous -- shiny as polished obsidian. The pictures are on the web album below so those of you who don't share my appreciation for creepy, crawly things don't have to see them. (That would be you, Ann C. -- I know I'm testing your patience even with the butterfly)

http://picasaweb.google.com/vickilanemysteries/SnakeAlert