Most people use the phrase “A snake in the grass” in
reference to an undesirable situation.
I’ve always considered a snake in the grass to be a positive condition
calling for investigation and celebration.
This Black Racer is giving what I like to call the Jurassic Park
A dark face and pale nose usually indicate a racer. Racers may act aggressively if captured, but
will normally retreat from danger. A
slow approach can get you quite close to these snakes. Vibration of the tail indicates the snakes
discomfort with your proximity and is usually a prelude to rapid retreat. Some people are startled when a racer
retreats directly towards them. This has
happened to me several times, but it makes sense when I’m only a couple of feet
away, that it would be safer and faster to rush past me than to turn around and
go the opposite direction.
This was my first view of the snake. It’s easy to spot a black snake in the pale
grass of late winter.
I’ve momentarily mistaken hoses and branches for snakes on
many occasions. The misidentification
lasts less than a second. There’s really
nothing else that looks like a snake.
I’ve viewed many serpentine items with diamond patterns, but
there’s nothing that comes close to the scales of a snake.
I eventually crowded in too much and caused the snake to
take off into an opening beneath a cedar root.
I hope this is just the first of a multitude of snake encounters to be
experienced this year.
