When Snakes Talked and Ran

Have you ever thought about what snakes used to be like? It is obvious from the Genesis account of the Garden of Eden that they talked. Eve did not seem surprised when the serpent

spoke to her. And they were cunning--more than all other creatures. And apparently they walked and ran? Why else would God curse the serpent with crawling on his belly and eating dust? And the curse that affects me most today is "I will put enmity between you and the woman. And between your seed and her Seed: He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel." Yes, I believe there is a reference to Jesus in that curse. But I am equally convinced that the natural hate I have for snakes comes from God. Really. I hate snakes. And I have bruised the heads of many. That is why I think this guy is an idiot!

Go back and read Genesis 3. Let's see, crawl on belly, bruise head, bruise heel....nope it's not in here. Nowhere does it say "Push a snake up your sinus cavity and allow him to come out your mouth." Idiot! If I walked by at this moment and could get my hands on a pair of hedge clippers...

Shrikes!!!

These are a few pictures I have taken during the past three or four days of some birds that have taken up residence near the Wetumpka Post Office. Thanks to my mom for correctly identifying them as Shrikes, specifically Loggerhead Shrikes.

I first noticed these birds when a large fox squirrel was passing through and they were squawking like crazy. A co-worker stated that those mockingbirds can really raise a fuss and I agreed but said I did not think those were mockingbirds. Later in the day, I took a closer look and confirmed my suspicions. A couple of days later, they were again making lots of noise and I investigated with camera in hand. As it turns out they were killing a snake! When I approached one flew to a branch with snake in beak. The snake was about 10 or 11 inches long. Here are a couple of pictures of a fierce bird with his "trophy worm".

"I Don't Like Spiders and Snakes"

I am going to write a short paragraph in order to place the first picture in this post a little lower. That will enable you to decide whether you want to view it or not. Wouldn't it be great if all the posts and pictures could be of birds and spring activities like the two previous posts? I considered forgoing the posting of pictures I took today because they will disturb some folks. Really, though, it is just part of the experience we call life. If you have read this blog for a while, you know that I left a management job to return to a craft position delivering mail in Wetumpka. You have also seen scenic pictures of spots along the Coosa River where I sometimes eat lunch or take an afternoon break. This afternoon, I stopped at one of those remote spots to walk along the river and eat my apple. As I walked along the water's edge and over the trashy sediment (branches, weeds, etc.) left from the high-water mark after recent heavy rains, I spotted this shape that contrasted with the straight lines of limbs and branches;

Even though his body was muddy and his head was hidden by leaves, I knew this was a cottonmouth moccasin.

Since he was not moving, I took these two pictures. Then it was time to search for an appropriate weapon. As a kid going fishing with my dad, he would cut what I called a switch if he saw a moccasin or rattlesnake. That always made me nervous. Once we were working our way to a creek and he spotted a moccasin, cut a plum branch and went after him. The theory was that the small, limber switch would break his back and he would die quickly. This particular day the theory did not hold up. Dad got in a couple of good whacks before the snake slithered into the undergrowth and we could not find him. "Great" I said, "now you have spanked him and made him mad and we don't know where he is." I don't remember anything about fishing that day because my attention was on where I stepped going in and coming out. I personally subscribe to the Buford Pusser theroy; walk softly and carry a big stick. So I found and broke a limb about as big around as a softball bat and maybe 4 feet long. One blow was probably enough--but I gave him three. He will not be bruising anybody's heel. Here is the final picture showing that he is about 3 1/2 feet long and showing that he is still hated because his great-great grandaddy lied to Eve so long ago.