It was just barely light. I noticed the grass was a bit long and super soggy from dew. I had a cup of coffee in one hand and my toddler’s hand in the other, as we leisurely made our way to the back of our wooded lot.
In the farthest corner of my peripheral sight, I saw an unmistakable motion. A quick slither, glittered with moisture.
” AH HA HA AAAAHHH !!!” I threw my coffee. Performed some frantic dance. The ballet of fear involved flailing arms and alternating legs to hop upon based on which key I was screaming. The final move was the toddler grab. I lunged, in a fit of strange protectiveness, to wrap my arms around my son.
I believed I was shielding him from the snake. Panting and murmuring still, I rushed the toddler to the the house. My son was laughing at me.
If I’d heard Jack Hubley’s presentation, “Snakes Alive,” I might have been sane in the face of the harmless garter snake. Local naturalist Hubley will be at Meadowood Nursery, Saturday, June 27th, from 9am and 1pm.
Hubley will bring a collection of live native snakes and explore simple ways to to determine, at safe distance, venomous from non-venomous snakes. Meadowood Nursery invites to you to learn more about snakes and shop the nursery for native plants. All proceeds benefit the The Dauphin County Wildlife Rescue.
I love to dance. But not out of stupid fear. I’m looking forward to learning more about Pennsylvania native snakes.
3 Comments
The site looks fantastic! We have our own resident slithery guy btw. M found him again two weekends ago. His name is “Woody” as he was initially found in the woodpile last summer. He was in a shrub by the front door this year. M was pulling thistle when he stumbled across him rather unexpectedly. He is black and red. Very nice looking fellow. We have pics. His eyes were opaque so we suspect he was getting ready to shed. = }
It’s gonna be a long time before I get that mental video out of my head. Wheee!
We often hike the back trails at Pinchot Park, home to many snakes. It has engendered several conversations about the snake fear reflex. Thanks for blogging about this lecture. I wish I were going to be in town to attend. I’d like to learn more about snakes and control that attavistic response of mine.