Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/06/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thanks for the compliment, Walker. Yes, we live close to Sugarloaf Mountain, in Poolesville, MD. I'm aware snakes can climb (seen a number of them in trees over the years), but was pretty surprised to find this one had climbed into a position on a sheer wall to get the little house wren and her 3-day old chicks. Quite a puzzle solving feat I didn't think snakes were capable of performing. I believe the example in the photos is a Black Kingsnake, and about 4-1/2 to 5 feet long when stretched out. My wife and I like snakes, but were irritated that this rascal ate the wren chicks we were so looking forward to watching. To get rid of the snake, I just lightly poked it with a long stick to encourage it to go elsewhere, which it slowly did. I last saw it crossing our driveway about an hour or so later, hopefully to keep the rodent population in check, rather than the song birds. I was just lucky to have an opportunity to use the MP (back on topic) while it was revisiting the scene of the crime... ;-) Regards, Mitch -----Original Message----- From: Walker Smith Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 2:08 PM Those are good shots, Mitch. Many people don't know that many snakes CAN climb. Not far from where you took your pictures on Sugarloaf Mt. (I assume you were in Frederick Co., MD) is where I grew up. My father's house was built of rough brick and one afternoon, about 15 years ago, I was walking around the side of the house when I saw a huge snake going up the wall toward a vent into the attic area. I called my father as the snake came down on the porch and slithered onto the wood pile. It curled into a striking position and while it didn't appear to be poisonous, Pop killed it with one shot to the head from a Colt Woodsman .22 pistol. Ordinarily, Pop wouldn't have hurt it but he didn't like it's threatening attitude coupled with the fact that it had obviously been in the house attic area before. It measured out to about 5 1/2 feet long.