Hi Guys,
A few days ago my hubby discovered a black snake trying to get under the garage door. I know they are basically harmless and even beneficial, but he once had one making itself comfy in the rafters of the garage and had a heck of a time getting it out, so of course, he had to destroy it. He told me he killed it and cut it into pieces with a shovel and tossed it into the field behind the house. 2 days later I was wandering around with the camera and came upon it-intact! I hate snakes of any kind-can't even look at them, but since it appeared to be dead, I got down and got several shots. I wanted to get it's face but didn't want to touch anything touching it so I got a few bad shots and got away. I asked my hubby if I heard him right about cutting it up, and he said "yes". I told him it must have grown new parts because it was out there dead in one piece. Took him out to where I saw it and it was gone! He looked at my pics and said "That's not the same one!" The one he killed was at least a foot shorter!" So I was down in the face of a live snake! Gives me the willies just talking about it. Anyway, here's the bad pic from my p&s, with hands shaking, preparing to run. It never moved the whole time I was shooting. Must have been sleeping. I only did about 4 shots (all bad) and then bolted.
i really have to question the fact that it WAS harmless and BENEFICIAL yet you were still happy to have it killed? Nice looking creature all the same.
Sorry, but I have a phobia. I am happy to see ANY snake killed! Can't help it.
Remember that...when you have a mouse/rat problem.
Gramps
Loc: Republic of Tejas--Tomball, TX
ph0t0bug wrote:
I have cats for that.
You let your cat run loose? It kills anything it can. Leave the natural predators alone. They were here before you. Your audacity is over flowing!!!
Cats not only kill their victims...they "play" and torture first.
All that really matters is that you weren't bit by any kind of snake ... poisonous or not.
Moral of the story of course is "Never look a gift snake in the mouth." Oops sorry, that was a horse wasn't it. Anyway, as you said, good story, bad photograph. As for those being critical, lighten up a little, we all have our phobias. Mine is bugs. As far as I am concerned the only good bug is a dead bug. The first thing I do when I see a bug in the house is find someone to kill it. Wife, granddaughter, the dog, anyone but me, I won't go near the thing until it is flattened like a pancake.
Black snakes aren't poisonous, but they will bite you pretty good. Certainly beneficial creatures, but can't blame you for being afraid of them.
Snakes have a really bad press but I don't care for them either.
Although this snake is black it is not a "Black Snake"
It is a BLack "Rat Snake". Really good at keeping rodents under control. The "Kinked skin" is a defensive posture of the Rat Snake..it does this when it feels threatened. The Rodents that it kills are much more of a danger to you than the snake.
Google "Black Rat Snake" for more info.
It is a common wrong belief that rat snakes are not black.
There is a black racer snake but it is usually not so large.... smaller in diameter and length than the snake in this picture.
In case anyone wanted to know.
Thanks Guys, for all your positive remarks and helpful info. As for the others, they have been rather ugly about expressing their opinions, which I found to be rude and insensitive. I explained I have a phobia about snakes (don't even like the word) and took the pics in spite of that in order to share with the group.That's how much I have loved this forum. Unfortunately, they have ruined it for me and I have asked to be removed from the membership, but they are having difficulty doing that, so it gives me the oportunity to thank all those who have been so helpful to me in finding my way through DSLR photography thus far.As for those who are so strongly opinionated that they can't see past their own noses, and feel they must berate others to let it be known-I won't miss you and hopefully will be able to grow into a decent photogropher without ever having to encounter your ilk again. Good bye!
So sorry about your decision. I've been told I should be 'dead' by some on here for my beliefs and statements.
Don't be upset by 'TROLLS' who just post to start trouble.
Me? I hate spiders and any spider within sight in DEAD regardless of how many insects they catch and use for food.
Stay with us and ignore the nay-sayers and trolls..
Sarge69
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