I heard Banjo barking his alarm. So for the next 20 minutes I kept watch in the yard; same familiar place near the a/c unit. Then Banjo would not stop barking and was now near a large mesquite. I noticed all the scrub jays and other wild birds having a right old-fashioned conniption. I went to get my binoculars and kept watching because Banjo was just incensed; I now know his snake bark.
And through my binoculars on the second story; I found the familiar spade shaped head poking up from a divet in our ground and it was making its way to the middle of our front yard. Mind you, it was only 3 feet long but, fat and healthy with 7 rattles; bent on hunting right off our front porch. So I kept watched until it curled up under another tree right next to tomato garden.
During this time; all the birds would take turns landing just outside of the snakes' range and making as much noise as possible. I called my hubby and told him in no way shape or form was I going outside. I could have tried to shoot from the upstairs window but, I would not been accurate. After hanging up with hubby and telling him about the 7 rattle monster in the yard; I lost it in the grass.
Hubby came home as usual, ate dinner, took a nap. and just on whim picked up his weapon of choice to see what he could find.
I really think this year with the extreme drought we are having this will not be the last venomous snake we see. As this is the fourth one in less than a month we have found in the same area.
I am also going to do a suggestion another friend made about making a small pond just away from our yard. Then snakes will be happy to hunt and our yard will return to being a safer haven; maybe I can rest in peace somewhat. What is your thoughts; kill or not to kill?
