My morning routine begins with a trip to the basement to start a load of laundry. This time of year, when the irises are blooming just outside the door and the morning light is at a perfect slant, I generally take my camera downstairs with me.
I hurried out to fill the birdfeeder and take a few pictures before the light changed, noticing, on my way out the door, a messy pile of leaves and moss on the basement floor.
I figured it was the wrens' nest building material -- this time of year we leave the basement door open and the wrens love to build their little nests in the corners at the top of the block wall. The nests aren't very tidy -- but then neither is our basement.
I looked up and saw that one nest had been knocked down entirely . . . and I saw the culprit.
A young blacksnake, out hunting. I don't think the wrens had laid yet -- and I hope they'll rebuild somewhere else. The blacksnake is welcome as he keeps the mice in check . . .
I call it mindful living -- always having in the back of your mind the knowledge that there are snakes around . . .
Just another part of nature -- like the iris.
11 comments:
Have mercy! If I saw a snake that big, I'd be headed the other direction. I know how nature works, I just don't want it to live in my house.
Don't give me a choice between an iris and a snake :-)
Everything has its place. Maybe we feel more comfortable in ours, when we remember that.
Hoping the wrens build elsewhere too. There were 4 beautiful robin's eggs in the nest outside the front door earlier this spring and in a few days they were gone. So very sad. Mama had been gently caring for them and then one day they were all gone! Have a wonderful weekend! Cathy
Huh. And I was blaming the raccoons last year for tearing apart the wren nest in the garage. Could be the only time the raccoons were even possibly innocent.
Black snakes are handy to have around, but it sure takes some getting used to their presence on my part. First few times I about jump out of my skin, and then all is good. Now the copperheads and rattler I've met up with, well that's an entirely different story! UGH!
I have been told that black snakes are also good for your property as they clear out the copperheads -- nice snake shots -- barbara
Please tell me that part of your routine is writing. We're anxiously awaiting the next book. We have a pair of black snakes near our stone wall. And yes, they are welcome.
Vicki, I've enjoyed getting caught up on your fine recent posts...going back to those kittens clashing. We are now at the tulip stage of spring blooms, and I hope to see some iris around town soon.
This morning's visits to our basement laundry room have now resulted in freshly clean and folded linens. No snake sightings though. Or mice either.
xo
My grandfather would pay small boys for blacksnakes to turn loose in his barn. They're good to have around. Jim
I am trying so hard not to freak when I see a black snake. As long as they let me see them first from a great distance-I don't scream. I know they are good to have around but I just have this awful phobia...
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