Timm

"I am not a shrimp!" says the crawdad in Gum Branch creek that runs behind our house.

We had a close encounter with a copperhead at Little Wolf Nature Preserve. Fortunately Theresa spotted him, and he was coiled up tight, saying "I’m cold from the rain, so don’t mess with me, and I won’t mess with you."

Here is another photo of Glenda the Good Snake. She seems to realize that we and the dogs will not harm her, so she’s been spending a lot more time out in the open lately.

One strike, and you’re out.  Just kidding.  Actually this is Glenda the good snake, a rat snake, which eats mice and other rodents.  She patrols the perimeter of our house and loves to tease Darby.  Glenda is unlikely to strike unless provoked.  A bite would hurt somewhat, but not as painful as a black racer.  [...]

Ahh, life in the country.  We walked out the door and saw this 5-footer slinking across the driveway. We believe he is a black rat snake, one of Kentucky’s largest snakes that can grow up to 6 feet long.  Rat snakes are good climbers, and this one loves to climb up under the vinyl siding [...]

Jabba the Toad disappeared after we had been gone on vacation for a week.  We thought that maybe she left the porch because her canine protectors weren’t guarding her. A few days after we returned, so did Jabba.  But then she disappeared again, this time for good.

Much to our delight, Jabba the Toad has returned to live another summer on our porch! Here is Jabba in her very own toad bath.  Well, it’s not hers exclusively … the dogs also use it as a water bowl, sometimes taking a drink while Jabba is swimming!  But neither seem to mind each other, [...]

Darby Dog alerted me to this snake living under our porch. This looks like a hybrid between a Black Racer and a Copperhead, but I think it may be a rat snake.

Jabba the Toad has returned to our porch.  We weren’t sure if we had accidentally squished him with our car last year.  But when he returned this spring, he went right for his toad bath and cushy house we made for him, so it must be the original Jabba.  And he’s still as chubby as [...]

We hiked to Adair Wildlife Management area again on this beautiful September day.  Here is a semi-rare photo of Timm, who’s watching a bunch of turkey vultures floating on the breeze above.  It’s “semi-rare” because Timm is usually behind the camera.