This morning several of the cats were *very* interested in something in the leaves. When I saw one swat and jump back, I was pretty sure I knew what it was!
The dog took off and ran right through the herd of cats and over it... glad it was only
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10803470@N00/5651684174/
a rat snake, and not something worse!
It's that time of year -- and it was headed for the bluebird box, I'd almost bet. How do they know??
The nest box is on a T-post which I'm *sure* it could climb. Apparently I'm supposed to put them on smooth metal posts, but $$ ouch $$.
DH tried picking it up with the leaf rake that was nearby but that didn't work, it was too heavy. (A good 4' long, this one.) I went and got the hoe and he transferred it to a trash can *with* the lid, else it would have come right out, and relocated it to the front edge of the property.
Too funny -- when I went for the trash can he said to bring a feed bag. Riiiiighhht, and I suppose you think I'm going to hold the bag open while you try to insert an uncooperative snake in it?!
-Wendy