Camera Critters # 88 - Reticulated Python

Camera Critters by Misty Dawn, go here to see who's participating.

I was at Plum Creek Park this Summer and the people told me of a rescue snake being shown.

I went over to take a look and hopefully get some photos.

The handler was very co-operative and let me get in close for photos.

It was a beautiful Reticulated Python that had been abandoned. It would have never made it through our Ohio Winters. They were using it as a teaching tool to teach the proper handling and care of these large snakes.

You can see a lot of critters above.

Camera Critters # 83 - Snakes

Camera Critters by Misty Dawn, go here to see who's participating.

I was walking past the garden the other day and the pepper plants had a guest. It was the Common Garter Snakes. They are referred to as Gardener Snakes because of the time they spend in the garden. This was actually two snakes curled together for warmth high in the plant to get the sun.

I don't like snakes that well but a chance for a photo overcomes my fears.
You can see the way the two are weaved together.
So my final shot is a close up of that reptilian eye and skin.
I do hope you enjoyed a close look at the gardener's friend. They eat bugs and other pests in the garden. I hope they are not there at harvest time.

A Post With A Warning # 2

this is a continuation of real life happenings in the struggle for life. These are not staged photos these come from a true story that happened as posted. If your squeamish about nature pass on this one and yesterdays post. I have given fair warning so the story begins.

My next door neighbors have two grandsons who come over often. They were near the front of the their house at an overhanging part and were real excited about something. I called over and asked what was happening. They said something excitedly about a toad or frog. I didn't get it all. Well a toad or frog isn't too exciting but I had my camera in hand so I thought might investigate and at least explain to them the difference between a toad and frog. It was a pretty good chance it was a toad. I had just saved a small one from the lawn mower a few weeks back. I got there and was very surprised. The reason they didn't know what it was is seen here. It is half way engulfed by a 18" long Garter Snake. We moved a couple of wood chips off the snake and got this photo. I'm pretty sure this is a big female. It has great coloring. I zoomed in and you can see the snake is in the process of swallowing the toad. It is a big toad and it is slowly going down.
The snake decided it didn't like me so close and came after me and raised up with the toad in its mouth. I moved back and then thought, what's it going to do, bite me with that full mouth. Why didn't I snap that shot. It had charged about 4 foot. It came away from the house and toward the boys and I. I know it can't bite, so I moved in closer. It had moved quite a way so it headed back close to the house.
As you can see it has a long way to go with that toad and I wanted to get supper so I left him to his supper. I came back later but it had gone into hiding with a full belly.
This was a graphic display of life and death in the big city. It goes to show that all creatures need to eat to live and the circle of life continues. A Garter Snake is harmless to people but I don't like snakes. That's probably the reason I missed that one shot.

A Potpourri of Shots 2

What happens when two bees are working the same area, sometimes they land on the same flower. They continue to work and do their job. This bee was very co-operative.
There was honey bee also gathering nectar.
The garden is producing really well, this is August 12. The tomatoes are starting to get to the larger size.

This was yesterday and the Cherry Tomatoes are as sweet as can be. It's just like popping a piece of candy in your mouth.
This was a snake at work that was on the gravel in the morning and a car tire smashed it. It was a mummy when I found it. One of my neighborhood rabbits was being co-operative one night. This one was a real cutie pie. The final shot is a cloud formation that I thought looked like past President Clinton. What do you think? Do you see someone else.
Hope you enjoyed the fun of a diverse group of photos.