Sunday - Black snake in yard

Sunday I looked out the window to see a four foot black snake winding through the yard.  Of course I had to go out and investigate.  In almost twelve years of living here I have never seen a snake so a big black snake is big news around here.

When I first approached he kinked his muscles up and stayed motionless like a tree root.  I touched his tail to let him know I could see him and he instantly coiled up like he was ready to strike.  I walked back and forth in front of him for a bit and he gradually relaxed and started to climb the maple tree.  The way he climbed that tree was amazing --like he was crawling on flat ground.  He slithered right up the side of the trunk with no hesitation or struggle.

I followed him for a while as he made his ascent until he disappeared in the foliage.  Later we saw him come down the tree and slither away in the grass.  I will keep an eye out for him when I cut the lawn, but my guess is that if there is no prey for him, he will move on to greener pastures.

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