The Black Snake

The last time we saw a snake was at Great Falls Park in the summer months. It was a copperhead and it was quite large and it was crossing our path. I never cared for snakes no matter what the size. When we were in the neighborhood park about a month ago a lady was staring at the ground in to the wooded section and said she just saw a black snake. She also said they are great to have in your garden and are friendly. We didn’t see it but took her word for what it was. Yesterday we were taking our morning walk in the neighborhood park when all of a sudden I noticed a black twig/branch on the sidewalk - but it wasn’t a twig at all because it was moving. My husband didn’t even see it. It was already half way to the other side so just the back end was showing. It was about two to three feet long and moving slow - but I didn’t care. I stayed just long enough to get the last of it going in to the wooded section. Yuck! I tried to read up on this black snake but wasn’t sure what it was exactly - but everything I read didn’t sound very friendly to me. Maybe that’s why the chipmunks were more active than usual today. I have a feeling the snake was and is looking for dinner. 

Red Fox and Snake Limb

We seem to be seeing a lot more foxes than we ever did. While driving through another neighborhood there was one scurrying in broad daylight in front of all of the homes - even stopping for a close up photo. We saw one in the neighborhood park two weeks ago, running along the stream and then in to it - far enough away to turn his head back and look at us. My husband even saw them on Capitol Hill on morning walks - on the Capitol grounds. And unfortunately this week we saw two dead on the side of the GW parkway. A week ago we went on a morning walk in the neighborhood park. The first thing we ask is where are the birds, the heron, the hawk, the deer, and the fox? And if there aren’t any animals or birds, we imagine things like snakes wrapping around tree limbs. As we were walking on a long stretch, the fox appeared at the far end of sidewalk - and stood there watching us. He saw we were coming towards him and finally darted back in to the brush. We passed that area and didn’t think we would see him again. Then on the way back we spotted him - now across the little stream - watching us again. It almost makes you feel weird - what was he thinking? Then yesterday he appeared in the same area but just ran back in to the bushes before I even had a chance to get his photo. We really enjoy seeing the wildlife - it seems like they really enjoy seeing us too!