Creature Feature

We have been seeing a lot of ticks this year, more than ever before. We can remember years ago when we never, ever got a tick on us. Those days are gone. We have never, however, had a tick actually latch onto us, maybe because we are finding and removing them in time.

Kathleen saw what she described as a really, really, really big snake near the Phase One side of the swing bridge. She said it was bigger than a black snake and very fat. Fat snakes, rather than being victims of obesity, are generally poisonous, so we need to watch out for this one. It was described as being black, with turquoise markings, which didn't match up with any species in the snake book. Until further identified, we will refer to this one as The Dreaded West Virginia Turquoise Mamba.

Also, last week I killed a baby copperhead in a wood pile near my house, only the second copperhead I have ever found on my property.

All this is just a fact of life, you have to deal with snakes and other noxious critters whether you live in Ice Mountain or the D.C. beltway. Only, out here, they aren't interested in stealing your money.