Posted By FarmerJ on April 16, 2011

I can honestly say this is the most snakes I’ve seen in one place ~ and what a delight it was!  It was beyond difficult to count these guys as they were furiously frolicking in the warm sunshine, but I think I counted 19 in this pile, plus the two big ones that slithered away when Abigail, the Toy Fox Terrorist, approached.  It really was an amazing site!

Last Sunday afternoon, Darling Husbie was busy plowing the alfalfa field under in preparation for putting in field corn this year.  The girls and I decided to wander down to the mailbox to collect the newspaper containing my precious coupons.  We took a slightly different path on our venture out to the box, so we didn’t notice this spectacular display at that point.  However, on our return route, we continued a little farther down the lane.

That’s when we [Abigail and I ~ Peanie was off hunting voles and 13 Stripers] heard a strange sound.  I can in no way describe this sound.  It was such a distinctive sound.  You know, the sound approximately 21 snakes make when they’re all frolicking together.  We both stopped in our tracks to figure out what the sound was coming from, and once we spotted the source, we moved in for a closer look.

Abigail wanted to stick her snout right in on their business, causing the two biggest ones to slither away.  ‘Cuz, remember, that’s what tewwowists do.  They tewwowize.  Peanie started heading over to see what all the commotion was about, but I made her stay back.  She surely would have made them all scatter.  And, I didn’t want that to happen.  I wanted to let them be to enjoy their time in the sunshine as much as we were.

So, I am delighted to see we have a healthy number of little Jake No-Shoulders around this spring.  They definitely have their role in our own little eco system here on the Farmstead.  I shall have to be very careful while mowing ~ and, yes, I do stop the mower at all Snake Crossings I see and wait for them to slither across.  If they take too long, or freeze in a sense of panic from the great ruckus, I will get off the mower and relocate them to a safer place.  Just so you know.  We really do try hard not to harm our farm Jakes.

I am so disappointed I am not able to share with you more ~ and better ~ photos of these little creatures, but I didn’t have my camera.  I don’t often…okay, I don’t ever…carry the camera with me while going to get the newspaper.  Perhaps I shall start now!  I did remember that I had my cell phone in my pocket, so I was able to get this photo.  But, it took me nearly a week to figure out how to get it from the phone to the computer so I could actually do something with it.  Little Big Brother had to show me.  Teenagers and technology.  And, Darling Husbie’s who sit over on their side of the office chiming in in the background, “Come on, Honey.  You’ve got a degree in this stuff.”  Uh, yeah, I do.  But, still.

Anyway!  I just wanted to share this with you in case you’ve never seen so many snakes in one place before, either.  May the signs of spring be blessing you, as they are us!  ♥

We’re once again joining in the fun with Farm Friend Friday.  I know I’m a day late.  I’m just blaming it on not being able to get access to my photo earlier.  Hee!

Categories: Plainly Ponderings
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