I figure everyone is outside working or enjoying their flock since the weather has been SO NICE!!!
Went out this morning to give my girls some sprouts (just learning about sprouting......the flock LOVES them and so do I) and saw a dark shape on the ground, about 25 feet away, that didn't look right. Stopped, focused and took a step towards it to investigate..........then it started moving..........YEP, it was a *#%! snake.......with a toad in it's mouth. It traveled with it's head and about the next 8 inches up off the ground as it carried off the poor creature. I love my toads and have made an effort to provide them with water and environment, they are my night time bug patrol.
Put down the sprout bucket and hurried to the barn to get the sharpest hoe I have!!! By the time I got back the snake had moved to cover, as I poked around in the flower bed I found the toad........looking very much alive albeit wide eyed with snake spit covering his/her face and head. Kept looking but never found the snake. Smart snake to drop it's catch and run for its life!!!
This is not the first time this has happened. A friend looked a one of the snakes I killed (in the past) and said it was a natrix (?sp?), black water snake found here in central Texas. He said they were referred to as 'nasty natrix' because they have a bad temperament and will chase and bite, although they don't have poison.
I'll be putting out more bird netting snake traps and keeping my eyes open!!!
I guess EVERYTHING is enjoying the beautiful weather.
Hope you all are having a fine snake free day.