I used to see and photograph snakes all the time. But since I got the Jack Russells, I rarely get the chance. This little fellow was snapped in the ten seconds before the dogs noticed him/her. After that, I was busy running interference until the snake could get into a hole in the ground. The dogs go psychotic when they see one. It’s a shame because snakes are beautiful — and helpful for controlling varmints like rats and rabbits of which I have zillions.
Individual snakes have a different personalities. Some will run off no matter what you do, but many, if caught in the open, and if you tickle them gently with a stick, will coil into a defensive attitude and pose for you for quite a while. I used to like to get down on my stomach and shoot them on their own level. Can’t do that anymore because of the dogs.
I believe the snake in the picture above is an immature black snake (non-poisonous and very common in the US). Black racer or black rat? I should know but I don’t without looking in one of my books.
-Julie
