Thursday, March 29, 2007

Close encounters

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A couple of days ago, Nathalie entertained a hairy spider in her home office. Soon after, Dave was greeted by a scorpion at a friend's house. The next day Wellspring fought off a 2-foot (!) cockroach in her kitchen.

This morning I went out to get the paper and had my own encounter of the scary type - the black snake in my driveway. Before you inundate me with your comments on how beneficial and harmless black snakes are, let me just reiterate: I am half-asleep and bare footed - this is not the best time for a nature wake-up call!

But I can't complain, considering...My neighbor went out to her garage one morning, raised the garage door and was greeted by a 6-foot alligator in her driveway, smiling ear to ear (they have ears, don't they?). She quickly lowered the doors and waited for the gator to mosey on, which he did after about 10 minutes. When she told me the story I asked that if it happens again, could she take a photo for me, before fleeing. She looked at me as if I was a few French fries short of a Happy Meal...

Clearly, she's not one of us ;-)

24 comments:

Deb said...

It really has been sort of a creepy week in the DP world!
You know, if seeing this snake was my first 'nature call' of the morning, a 'second nature call' would be puddling at my feet soon thereafter.
Just thought I'd share....
Too much information?

Anonymous said...

Isabella you forgot another great recent creepy crawly: the scorpion from Las Vegas Daily Photo the day before yesterday ! You should add the link, it's quite something too ! see
http://lasvegasdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/03/desert-crustacion.html

As for the black snake, how deadly is it? For the croc, I would have shut the garage door, sure, but gone straight to the first floor with the camera to try and take a pic from a safe vantage point!!!

Nikon said...

A foot-long cockroach! Good grief.
Is this average or is it picking up as the weather gets warmer?

Anonymous said...

Oh this is a funny story with a serious photograph and I really like the photograph. I don't like snakes after stepping on one, barefoot, when I was about 7 years old. But you were brave and got a good photo. I am surprised your snake waited long enough for you to run back inside and get your camera. Sometimes, I am told, photographers carry their cameras everywhere around their neck, even to bed. So I suppose it was possible you still had your camera on. LOL
720 pixels
Brookville Daily Photo

alice said...

Like Abraham, i'm surprised your snake waited for you...Maybe would he want to please you! Is it a dangerous one or just a green snake (une couleuvre, inoffensive)?

Dsole said...

hahaha you're funny Isabella!
I think it's hard to make a photo in this panic moment...at least if you're in front of an smiling alligator!
i don't like snakes as a pet but i think they have a wonderful anatomy... don't ya?

Anonymous said...

I think I voted for him in the last election.

The Wellspring said...

I think I feel the sweat beginning just looking at this guy...YIKES!!! Thanks for the link to the 2' cockroach ;)

~Lisa

P.S. And I haven't checked out Dave's site yet but Nathalie's had me TOTALLY CREEPED OUT!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!

Kate said...

Your neighbor obviously is not one of us, poor thing! Yes, I applaud your "bravery" and am pleased that we all got to see your visitor. Good job--a medal for blogger bravery. Don't you think that should be an award?? We should tell Eric about this commendation. Perhaps one a month??

Oya said...

Ah Isabella, you are something...

Mandi said...

Compared to the alligator, nothing's bad!

blueboat said...

I commend your bravery in stopping to take a photo - I would have been out of there in seconds (harmless or not!!)

angela said...

I'm totally freaked out! I've just finished reading about the rats of New York and now there's a snake.
I'm so terribly glad your neighbour didn't have a camera.
Angela

Anonymous said...

You find nature everywhere! I am quite impressed. This picture is both startling and intriguing. And I'm glad I didn't have the opportunity to take it! :)

Unknown said...

It's so good of you to capture a shot of it. Last night we had a bat in here in the library where I work and when I left, it has flown up to 2nd floor. I heard they finally netted him. It came within a few feet of my head but I could not capture it with my digicam!

Pecos Blue said...

Looks like a happy snake--glad you were awake enough.

isa said...

Chris & Deb - eeew, way too much info!

Nathalie and Alice - black snakes are "inoffensive" to humans.

Abraham - no, I do not sleep with my camera ;-)

Kate - I agree 100%. Let's start a petition...

Angela - LOL! Now you'll never visit USA!

Pecos blue - how can you tell if he's happy ;-)

Ming the Merciless said...

Great story!!

These DP blogs have made us all change our priorities. Instead of fleeing from horrors, we all run for the camera.

kuanyin333 said...

This is one of the main reasons I wouldn't consider spending too much time in your lovely city, even though I love visiting it through your photos. Alligators show up at people's doors and in their swimming pools which rather turns me off.

Olivier said...

moi j'ai trouvé un moustique dans ma chambre,l'autre jour, mais je crois que je suis hors categorie ;o).

Voila une rencontre matinale, qui doit te reveiller d'un coup.( et si l'alligator n'avait pas bouger, il aurait fait quoi ton voisin ? la police (où les pompiers) intervient dans ce genre de cas ?


me I found a mosquito in my room, the other day, but I believe that I am except category ;O).
Veiled a morning meeting, which must awake you of a blow. (and if the alligator did not have to move, it would have made what your neighbor? does the police force (where the firemen) intervene in this kind of case?

Anonymous said...

I hate those sort of nature wake-up calls ... especially if your barefoot. Good shot of the snake though!

Tomate Farcie said...

Love your sense of humour!

And I was complaining about the racoons, oppossums, doves, and other critter who hang out nearby from time to time? OK, you set me straight now! :)

Kala said...

I'm surprised you speak so calmly of this creature - I guess he/she must not be poisonous ?

Anonymous said...

Hi! The first thing that entered my mind after seeing your visitor: "WHERE is it going?????!" Looks like its next to the house..scaaaaary. And the second: "How did you manage to even take a photo, Oh brave One?!!"