I'm sorry that I couldn't take any pictures (holds up shield to protect already-questionable hairdo from rotten tomato missiles), but I wanted to share. The kids and I were at some friends' house today with lots of other homeschool families (it was a party of sorts), and Betsy, my just-turned-6-year-old, ran in to tell us that there was a HUGE black snake in the driveway. We all hurried out to see it, and it was a black ratsnake, about 4 feet long, trying to enjoy the pavement. My friend tried to pick it up, but once again, discretion ruled the day when the snake put on its I'm-a-scary-ferocious-reptile performance. We decided the big guy deserved some respect and left him alone. But we all got to watch it for quite a few minutes before it peacefully slithered away into the woods. The really cool part was having all those moms and kids around, and the opportunity to tell them all what kind of snake it was, that it wasn't venemous, that it's lived in the area for a long time now, based on its size, and that it is wonderful for humans because it helps to control pests. The kids all enjoyed seeing it, and not a single person said "yuck!"

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Amy

your so lucky! We dont have ratsnakes here.I think they are awesome, but then again I am partial because of my King Arthur!

Way cool Amy, to bad no pics but we forgive you

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MARSHA
A man without a woman is a bachelor, A woman without a man is a genius!.

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart!

Let that be a lesson to you. ALWAYS have your camera with you. I think we should add a section of compliance to the T.O.S. about that issue I saw a black ratsnake when I was a kid and I still remember it. They are very rare in my area.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

LOL, Mike. I guess as a mom, I sometimes get weary of feeling like "every precious moment MUST be documented!" In defiance, I tend to leave my camera at home and luxuriate in the freedom of just living in the moment.

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Amy

We vacation in Virginia every year, Chincoteague. We spend a huge amount of out time at the Assateague Wildlife refuge and always see rat snakes. Last year we saw one (at least I think it was one) climbing a pine tree! I must have been almost 5 feet off of the ground. I will see if I can find the picture and post it.

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Kelly

My pets:
Leopard Gecko ~ Ducky
Rabbit ~ Chester
Kitten ~ Lil Fang
Black Bear Hamster - Charlie
Parakeet ~ Ray
Eastern Box Turtle ~ Ollie
Hermit Crab ~ Mr. Crabs
Teddy Bear Hamster ~ Poppy RIP 7/12/07

Here is the picture of what I think is a rat snake climbing a pine tree. I am sorry the picture isn't that great. I was on a trail and the tree and snake were a little ways off of the trail and the telephoto lens on the camera I had kind of sucked . The red thing on the tree is some kind of marker for hiking I think.

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Kelly

My pets:
Leopard Gecko ~ Ducky
Rabbit ~ Chester
Kitten ~ Lil Fang
Black Bear Hamster - Charlie
Parakeet ~ Ray
Eastern Box Turtle ~ Ollie
Hermit Crab ~ Mr. Crabs
Teddy Bear Hamster ~ Poppy RIP 7/12/07

Cool, Kelly! Thanks!

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Amy