Snake!!

I've never had a real fear of snakes - after living in Asia and seeing snakes that could've EATEN me, I gained a healthy respect for them. Plus, they kept the rat population down. And though I think pet rats are great (i.e. my former roommate's rat, Daisy), rats in Asia are dirty and mean and carry diseases and are the size of my cat. So, I was down with the snakes.

We've seen snakes in our yard since moving here - but the ones we've seen have been pretty clearly gardner (sp?) or worm snakes and harmless. Not longer than a foot and not thicker than a finger or two. No biggie.

But last night, Brian casually mentions (several hours after the fact, I might add), that while he was out raking in the backyard he uncovered a big snake that slithered UP OFF THE GROUND to get a good look at him.

I think any normal person (even me, who isn't SO afraid of snakes) would find it reasonable to exit this situation quickly. But Brian, in his logical brilliance, whips out his camera phone and takes the time to take a picture of it!!

Then he takes his leave, comes inside, and hops on the internet to find out what kind of snake we are dealing with here. Turns out, it's just another gardner snake - but this one was of the MUCH LARGER variety.

I tell you what - if a snake is big enough to sit up and look at you, I'm not sure I want it so close to my house. And I'll think twice next time I go walking in the backyard barefoot. Sheesh!

Here's the pic: (keep in mind he was trying to capture the markings on the body so he could research them to identify the snake...) And just to help you scale it - that "stick" in the picture is actually a tree limb that fell from our huge oak tree outside during a windy day last week.