Surprise!!!

[rpcrowe]

I heard my rescue mini goldendoodle barking non-stop and though that he wanted to go see the chickens whom he loves. However something seemed strange about the tome of his barking.

As I rounded the corner into the patio by my kitchen door, I saw that he was barking at the shoes I had used for gardening and left by the door. I said, "What a silly boy Charlie, those are just shoes!"

Then I saw a snakes head quickly pop out and disappear back into the shoe image left. That's what the little guy was barking at. At least he was smart enough not to get near the snake.



I realized that it was not a venomous snake, rather it was a California King Snake which is good for the environment. I thought that a picture of the snake popping out of my shoe would be neat, so I threw my sandle at the shoe. The darn snake didn't move.

I picked up the shoe and tossed it out on the lawn and this guy slithered out...



The Mini Goldendoodle saved my life because if I had tried to put on that shoe with Mr. Snake inside, I think I would have had a heart attack.

It has been a long time since Vietnam when it was my common practice every morning to dump out whatever had crawled into my sho at night.

[Kris V]

Now this poor snake has to find a new home....

[Barnwell]

I hope you gave him a treat. - The dog that is.

[Ziggy]

Looks like a fun encounter.

Found this interesting about the King Snake.

The "king" in their name refers to their propensity to hunt and consume other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes that are commonly indigenous to their natural habitat. California kingsnakes are naturally impervious to the venom of rattlesnakes but are not totally immune. They feed on rattlesnakes when the opportunity arises and a rattlesnake will make an easy meal for a hungry kingsnake, but do not seek out rattlesnakes specifically, nor consume them on a regular basis.

[rpcrowe]

That's what I meant about the king snake "being good for the environment". Although I prefer that its environment doesn't include my shoe...

This following information is from the San Diego Zoo Website: "Besides eating other snakes, kings also dine on lizards, rodents, birds, and eggs, counting on their strong stomach acid to dissolve their prey. Since they do not produce venom, kingsnakes use constriction to subdue their prey. Kingsnakes are active hunters, seeking out prey, not ambush hunters like rattlesnakes.

Once food is located by scent, the snake grabs it in its mouth, coiling around it in a split second and tightening until the prey animal cannot breathe any more. Depending on the size of the meal, the kingsnake may not eat again for several days."

- See more at: http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/anima....2wZaiDbH.dpuf

[Shadowman]

Nice capture and perhaps Charlie's way of saying "you need me".

[IzzieK]

Now is the time to go back to your old habit of clearing the inside of your shoe before wearing it...Vietnam or California, it does not matter...

Thanks Kim for the early morning laugh...