So It's Been a Creature Week

Those who know me well know that I’m an animal lover. However I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t “love” all animals.

Two days ago while looking out across the lanai, I saw an egret walking across my backyard. It was obviously looking for breakfast. Moments later it disappeared from my view, so I went into my master bedroom in order to follow its movements without scaring it off.

By the time I got to my bedroom, it was “pecking” in the ground. Moments later, it lifted its head. In its beak was a snake (a harmless black snake). It lifted its beak skyward and proceeded to swallow the snake in one gulp!

I know that the “black racers” are harmless, and in fact, good for the environment, eating mice, rats, other snakes, bugs, birds and more. Yet, my dislike of snakes became evident as I cheered the scoreboard: Egret 1; snake 0!

Then, yesterday afternoon, while enjoying some time in my pool, I glanced up toward the street facing the side of my house.

Coming down the street, very leisurely, thank you, was a bobcat! It crossed over the driveway of the home directly across from mine, went onto the lawn and disappeared from view. It was a truly beautiful animal!

I left the pool and walked along the side of my house and into the garage for a cold beer. As I returned toward pool, I heard a rustle. I looked at the gardenia plant in front of me and lo and behold, there was a black racer halfway up the plant.

Well I wasn’t in the mood to deal with a snake at the moment. I had more important things to do. Beer in hand, I went on to the lanai where I picked up a can of wasp and hornet spray … a can that sprays up to 27 feet.

I returned to the side of the house, and from about three feet away, gave that sucker a blast of spray right in its face! (Mean? Maybe … but I’ve issued warnings to snakes in the past not to come close to my house.)

Temporarily blinded (or at least confused), the snake sped away at a pace that was incredible. It appeared to take under three seconds before it slithered out of sight at the front of my house.

Again I cheered as I reviewed the scoreboard: RJ, 1: Snake 0!

I then proceeded to enjoy my beer!