Stripey Snake Meets Zorro the Guard Cat

We talk so much about rattle snakes around here that the "long stripeys" are ignored, literally. These long garden snakes can zip over the top of mine or David's feet and all we do is give out a gasp, then if memory serves, announce to the other, "Oh, I saw a long stripey today".

Long stripeys move so fast that I thought a picture would be impossible as I've never found one in an inactive state. We have found many rattlers curled up for a nap--best to watch awhile, if a tongue is flickering, the snake is faking sleep.

Not being a snake fancier, I surprised myself by actually enjoying watching these curious snakes watch me as they slither up garden fences, pond banks, and pathways.

My artist neighbor found a large stripey in her pond with her favorite frog in its jaws. She climbed into the pond, pinched its jaws until it let the frog go, then transported the snake to the village park about a mile away. I suspect it beat her home.

This summer we lost all of our vividly colored goldfish that were being protected in a small "incubator" pond until large enough to toss into the big pond without fear of being devoured by the larger fish. I didn't see old stripey eat them but I'm blaming him. If I had caught him in the act he was in no danger of having my favorite fish choked out of his mouth.

Sunday, a baby stripey met his match--Zorro our beautiful watch cat. Zorro takes on squirrels bigger than himself. I've seen baby bunnies, half-grown bunnies and numerous lizards hanging out of his mouth. He brings dead rats up from the dry wash to decorate our pathways. Last summer I saw him in pursuit of a long stripey, claws flashing. Despite being well fed, Zorro eats the rabbits. He is not tempted by rats or snakes, enabling me to get this picture.

FROM THE KNOTHOLE: Hey, I don't know about you, but I think snakes are creepy. Or evil. Some of that mind set probably goes to the biblical role of the snake. And, never mind that some snakes can kill you. Have you ever seen the movie "Anaconda?" Cheesy but frightening. Still, many are drawn to danger or evil, especially when it is packaged with beauty or mystique. For instance, a beautiful but evil woman does not lack companionship. Harmless garden snakes, such as the stripey snakes that have endeared themselves to Badboulderlady, are, in their own way, impishly cute. They are curious and playful, and certainly not a threat. Maybe to frogs and little gold fish, but not to humans. So, my advice is, whether snakes or people, stay away from the evil ones.

a parting shot from bbman: i feel your pain. bill clinton

DIY Fish & Frog Pond

While we were constructing our own home there were periods of time when I couldn't contribute much to the process. Landscaping (keeping the chaparral cut) kept me busy; but local fish ponds were so much more appealing than brush cutting that I began to read Sunset articles proclaiming that fantastic ponds could be built in a weekend. We discussed and discarded the idea of commercial liners, bought Sunset's pond book and laid out the area. I volunteered to do the digging. Two summer vacations later, I had pick-axed the required depth through a decomposed granite boulder and we were ready for cement blocks. David laid the blocks for the rectangular 4 by 8 by 4 deep pond, holding a bit over 400 gallons of water, coated it with a masonry product, and I sealed with specialty coatings . After hearing stories about saving fish in the driveway during a raging monsoon storm, we created an overflow in our pond. The overflow has seen our fish through many a flooding rainstorm. We filled the pond to check for leaks and waited a month before subjecting any plant life or fish to any toxins the new masonry products might emit.

The pond has been a source of delight for me as we continued the long time-frame that the construction of Badboulder has taken for one person--David. We were the grateful recipients of twenty or so large fantailed gold fish and one huge Koi when a neighbor moved . Old Spot, the Koi, soon came to have his head petted while consuming his twice daily feedings of pellets. It was a sad day for us two years later when we learned the dangers of herons (guess it might have been a hawk). A horse training ranch 4 miles away boasts a "lake" complete with herons.

Through the years, I have rescued tadpoles from becoming crispy critters when their small pools of water began to dry. Frogs are such ingrates and usually hop off, but a few remain loyal to sit in the pond and be admired. We can now sit on our deck and hear nightly croaking from a bog that we recently created.

Our water lilies have been spectacular this year. We started with only two, gifts from a neighbor in return for a week's pet sitting. She also supplied us with water plants that keep our pond clean. Through the years David has re-potted the newly propagated lilies and we now have all our pond size permits.

Please enjoy these pictures.