“We need the tonic of wildness;
We can never have enough of it.”
Henry David Thoreau
I have been out in the wetlands
Truly enjoying this year’s spring
Wildflowers and migrating birds
What marvelous sightings it brings
Just yesterday, shortly after the sunrise
I was perched in a marsh, with my dogs
When I felt something moving at my feet
It had just emerged from under an old log
To my delight, it was a Garter Snake
I had not spotted one, in quite a while
This sighting was even better than birds
Numerous memories now made me smile
Suddenly, I was now back at my old childhood home
In those days, there were snakes even in the big city
I would often spot them in my grandmother’s garden
And what grand memories this one was now giving me
One spring day, I had found a very young Garter Snake
I soon named him Tiny, and he went everywhere with me
I fed him insects, and he often slept curled up in my pocket
Tiny was the first wild creature I had befriended, so joyously
In the last twenty years, I have not seen one snake in the city
We have now killed them all off, like so many other wild things
Even though Garter Snakes like this one, keep rodents in check
So yesterday, I was grateful to have spotted this one, this spring
For a moment, I was tempted to bring him home, like I had Tiny
But I knew my spouse would freak out, and not want him around
So I simply observed him for awhile, overjoyed that I had seen him
Like a child, wild things still captivate me, wherever they are found
©Spring 2012, Mr. Ed
Share
Print
Save
Mt first encounter with a cute lil green baby Garter Snake was in the city also. was about 13 or 14, and sitting in the grass at Riverside Park, not 50 feet away from the row-houses on Johnson St. He came slithering by, and I scooped him up gently in my hands, and let him squiggle up my arm - it Tickled! Observed his soft under-belly, and thought how Delicate he was. Considered putting him in my pocket & taking him home, but decided NO ... 'Wild Things' need to be WILD.
Second encounter, was at Broad Creek, BSA Camping Ground, in Harford County. We were all down at the 'Watering Hole' swimming. While resting on a big flat rock, out in the middle of the cold flowing creek, when someone spotted a snake sliding off said rock and into the water. this sucker was about 6-8 feet long, and swam away from us, with a proficient 'S' motion. When the Scout Leader told us that it was a Poisonous Copper-Head - to BEWARE ... we learned quickly to RESPECT Snakes.
Third encounter was many years later, while outside weeding around our Rancher, I heard a loud SCREAM ... before I could run around to the front of the house, my beloved Spouse had Chopped his Head off with a garden Spade! 'Twas just just a harmless Garter Snake, which I explained to her, but she would have None of it. Buried him/her? out back, hoping that 'SHE' had already made Babies somewhere ...
"I don't like Spiders n' Snakes, n' that ain't what it takes ..." Cuz TK.
makes it a pleasure to come here to read of your
excursions!!!!
Lady Vivian
love,
tiger lily
asa
at our cabin when I was little. It was very fast and green
in colour. Mr. Ed thanks for the nature excursion.
Lady Mary Ann
Anna
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Texas, Karen Lynn. :D
Ron
of the heart
as ever, Ed, a fine offering
john
I at this moment though enjoyed, your joy, and still seeing there are a few good natured people appreciating the creators work, bless ya Ed! Jasmin Horst