Critters

Several of the sources mentioned the value of keeping a garden journal to document what one planted and how it did. So it was a no-brainer that I would be frequently taking the camera to the garden. I am realizing that I should have the camera handy any time I am near the garden or wandering around our property. Otherwise there will be either a missed photo op of a passing critter or else a dash through the house to fetch the camera and a trail of muddy footprints.

One example of the latter situation was my enounter with the California King snake. I had been working on getting the drip system in the garden working and went over to the house to turn on the water. There, by the side of the house, was a snake. Not the usual gopher snakes I had seen around previously. But a more colorful brown and cream striped one, about 30 inches long. Apparently the snake was as surprised to see me as I was it. While I dashed off into the house to grab the camera, it headed in the other direction for cover. Fortunately it did not go too far. A while later I went to get the mail and found it near the mailbox. This time the camera was close and I got a few photos before it disappeared down a gopher hole. (A week later, my husband found a snakeskin in that gopher hole. From the faint pattern of stripes and size, it probably belonged to my acquaintance from the previous week. )

I went down to the shed on our property to check it out and noticed a lot of buzzing critters around a stack of old trash cans beside the building. Returned the next day with a camera to confirm what I saw.

It looked like bees were going in and out of the bottom two cans.  They seemed like honeybees

A couple weeks later I realized that I did not see the bees, even on a warm day when they should have been active. Some days later I investigated further. (Got brave enough to disturb the trash cans.) No bees. Another week and still no bees, so pulled the cans apart. Found old honeycombs were in them, but no sign of live bees. Also found two wood rats inside. I don’t know if the rats drove the bees away or if they were simply scavengers.

One warm afternoon when I went outside, I noticed a snake sunning itself on the driveway. I happened to have my cell phone in my pocket, so I tried to get a few photos before encouraging the snake to find a safer place for it to sunbath.

The sun was at an angle where I had troubles seeing what was on the cell phone screen. I clicked and moved a bit closer, planning to get it from a better vantage. Then I noticed the snake was moving and when I looked at it directly, I discovered the snake was actually two snakes. One quickly moved off into the brush. It wasn’t until I saw the photo on the larger screen of my computer that I found that I had been lucky to get a shot of both snakes, side by side.

With a little encouragement, the second snake headed for the hills to join its companion. Once they were off the asphalt, it was extremely hard to see them. Their camouflage was excellent for the situation.