Den of Danger

Every day or so I walk over to the mailbox to check on Pythagoras. I hate to report that I haven't seen him in over a week, although I did find a snake skin while tidying up the flower bed there.

Today I saw something far more ominous in the snake den -- a female black widow spider. She's big. Real big. And apparently has been there for a while. Some disorganized spider web stands started appearing in and around the rock pile a few weeks back. I ignored it. Spider webs are a penny a dozen around here. This one has gradually grown larger, until this afternoon when I saw the really big black widow sitting right smack in the center of the chaos. I went for my camera, but PDM spooked her into hiding before I could get a photo.

It makes me wonder what is lurking just below the visible when I am out blissfully elbow deep in plants, taking care of my gardens. I've already been stung by a wasp that I didn't see hiding in my daffodils. I've also literally had ants in my pants. Wonder what trouble I'll get into next? Hopefully something easily identifiable with a readily available anti-venom.

Happy Snake

Pythagoras is a happy snake. This is his rock den. I like the little guy.

Meet Pythagoras

This little guy (or gal?) has taken up residence in a small rock pile near our mailbox. I first noticed it when I was doing some gardening around there and Zima tried to eat it. The snake wasn't really thrilled about this option, but it is pretty small compared to the cat and was unable to discourage her. So I saved it. And then fetched my camera. I've checked on it every day since, and it seems perfectly happy and safe in the rock pile. We figured if it was gonna stick around, it was only right to give it a name. Meet Pythagoras. Cute, innit?

(Look LL, no cats!)