The Country Side of New Jersey
Backyard Resident
Posted by Betty (Phillipsburg, United States) on 7 July 2008 in Animal & Insect.
This garter snake is living in a can of discarded items in the backyard. A can I was going to get rid of... now I won't touch it! This is one of the biggest garter snakes I have ever seen! It must be 24" long!
@Michael Skorulski: It is a very handsome snake! I tell it everyday... eat those bugs, rodents and whatever else!
@Ana Lúcia: No, it's not poisonous... it's a common garter snake. They are beneficial in that they eat gardeb pests, so I leave it alone. Thanks!
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Oh so pretty, I say as I suddenly shiver....well done Betty ;)
7 Jul 2008 10:00am
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine!
Margie from Auckland, New Zealand
You're braver than I am! I'd be moving house.
:)
7 Jul 2008 10:41am
@Margie: 375mm... I was a distance away. It dives right into the can every time it sees movement. I do have to mow right next to that can! Luckily, I'm more afraid of spiders than snakes!
MJ from Delaware, United States
Oh betty this is a fantastic shot... I love the way you caught the colors and him looking at you.....
7 Jul 2008 12:14pm
@MJ: Don't you just love those big eyes? Had to be quick, only got a couple of shots before it was gone!
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
... but you did get a beautiful shot of the big beast!
7 Jul 2008 1:31pm
@Ron: Thanks, Ron!
Observing from Local, United Kingdom
Ah.. it's just a big worm. But you got a lovely shot of it.
7 Jul 2008 2:18pm
@Observing: A REALLY big worm! :-) Thanks!
Tracey from New Port Richey Florida, United States
great shot. he is very big and very beautiful.
7 Jul 2008 2:22pm
@Tracey: Thanks, Tracey.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Give me the deer any day, at least they can't hid in small places and you can see where they are. :)
A great shot though Betty.
7 Jul 2008 4:10pm
@MaryB: Thanks, Mary! I agree, the deer are prettier... but the snakes eats other pests!
@Alun Lambert: Thanks, Alun.
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
Well...he/she is actually kind of pretty...I think. I would have been taken aback as well though. Great shot.
7 Jul 2008 7:11pm
@Laurie: We look for it every day, it suns itself! Today it was stretched out straight, and it is at least two feet long! Thanks, Laurie.
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Betty, you have the darnest back yard residents. For sure this one is too long to pick up by the tail and chase someone with. Have I done that, yup when I was young and the boys used to chase you with snakes. My Mom told me to chase them back with one, which I did and they never bothered me again. The detail in this guy is beautiful. Great picture.
7 Jul 2008 9:50pm
@Marion: I would pick it up by the tail... but you can't get near it! It sits on top of that can and any slight movement and it dives right in! As a child, I would never even think of touching one! Thanks, Marion!
Anita from West Nottingham, United States
I would leave it alone, too. You certainly have a lot of wildlife around your place, and you do a good job of recording it!
Thanks for visiting my blog and for making encouraging comments. :-)
7 Jul 2008 10:12pm
@Anita: You are very welcome, Anita! This year we have more than the usual number of wildlife! And thank you for your comments!
@Steve: Thanks, Steve. I give them a lot of room and respect!
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
He is beautiful and you got a good shot.
They are so FAST - it's a wonder he stayed long enough to take a look at the photographer before he took off!
7 Jul 2008 11:59pm
@Judy: Thanks, Judy! They are fast... I had to slowly peek around the corner of the house, it would be gone in a second as soon as it saw movement! I kinda slid the camera around first and got off a couple of shots before it dove into the can!
njsux from Shrewsbury, NJ, United States
Very nice. They are harmless - although I accidentally ran over one with a lawn mower once and it made quite a mess.
8 Jul 2008 12:26am
@njsux: Thank you. Years ago, when my daugher was little, I ran one over with the mower. It had a kink and was still alive. Jess wanted to save it and put it in a box... of course it died, she cried. I felt bad, I never saw it!
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
Maybe build it a nice home so you can move the can.
8 Jul 2008 1:45am
Barbara from Florida, United States
Wonderful! Great shot. I like that you allow the beneficial residents stay. This one may have a family nearby or ready to hatch. 24" is a good size for a garter snake.
8 Jul 2008 9:27am
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
He's just trying to make a living like the rest of us... great catch!
8 Jul 2008 12:01pm
Jorge from Barcelona, Spain
I've been having a look at your photos and I have to say that I love them.
The texture in this one is really good.
8 Jul 2008 10:23pm
@Jorge: Thank you very much, Jorge!
Bill Ault from GBA, Canada
Great shot - I got a shot of a water snake sunning a week or so ago but did not get close enough to get this kind of detail - well done!
10 Jul 2008 11:40am
Konica Minolta MAXXUM 7D
1/125 second
F/6.7
ISO 100
375 mm (35mm equiv.)