Meet Ethan

Hi everyone. Meet Ethan. He is my new BFF.

Ethan Hawk (I know, I know) paid my backyard a visit yesterday afternoon. After work, I like to come home and sit outside and read. After being cooped up in an office all day it is very relaxing to sit outside and get some fresh air and unwind with a book. So I was sitting there happily mind my own business. I was finishing up reading a very funny (and slightly disturbing at times) book by Jenny Lawson that I picked up last week on a whim to read at the beach.

So I was just readying and I heard a noise. So I looked up and watched a hawk, my new BFF Ethan, swoop down and land right in front of our shed. I thought it was a bit odd that he would just stay on the ground like that, being a hawk and all. Especially since I had time to grab my phone and take his picture. He was busy pecking away (I thought maybe he was eating some of my squirrel feed...). Then he gracefully took flight. I was horrified when I noticed that he didn't leave my yard alone. He had taken a snake with him. Granted, I was thankful that Ethan took the initiative to rid my yard of snakes. But a little freaked out because not only do I hate snakes, but large birds of prey with huge talons also freak me out. However, my affection for these beasts of the air has grown after Ethan saved me from what most likely would have been a heart attack if the cobra and I had ever crossed paths. So, thank you Ethan. And if you ever want to come back to my yard for more snakes, please do. You are my hero.

The Critters Come Out

It seems like ever since Stacey moved out of the house, that I have had an influx of critters at my house. I guess because Bentley is no longer there to patrol the yard and keep the rift raft away. My friendly raccoon has stopped by a few times, not to mention the cat that scared me half to death last night when I was making my way out to the laundry room and it pounced from out of the blackness of night.

This weekend was no exception for the Critter Quota. At least David was there to help a girl out on her pest control.

First off, poor little Moxley discovered a yellow jacket's nest in the backyard. He came running out from behind the bushes all freaked out. Yeah, Mox. That hole in the ground with insects coming in and out of it- it's not a safe place.

David did a little research and the best time to kill these mean machines is at night when they are "sleeping" and all safe and sound in their nest. So, we tried to keep Mox out of them the best we could and continued to enjoy our afternoon in the nice, cool fall air. {they have since been eradicated}

It wasn't until about 10 minutes later that Mox stumbled upon another visitor in my yard. Yep, right behind our chairs on the patio beside the house. All of 2 feet from where I was sitting was my arch nemesis.

Yeah, where is Ethan Hawk when you need him?

Thankfully, I had the next best thing. David, aka wanna be Steve Irwin.

I was convinced that this guy was a deadly viper, but sadly, it was just a harmless garter snake. It may not have been a rattlesnake, but I wanted it gone nonetheless. David tried to fight me on it, but I just couldn't stand for it. IT HAD HAD BABIES! I know this because I found one of it's nasty little offspring on the carport a week before. So, therefore Earl had to die. And it really bothers me to no end that I have no "snake killing" devices at my house other than a pair of hedge clippers. Note to self: buy a shovel.

I know it was harmless, but I would have broken my neck trying to get away from it, had I been alone facing this cobra.

I'm a ssnaake. I'm a sneaky, sneaky ssssnaaake.

Just call me the honey badger. I don't care. Maybe that's what I need, a honey badger. He could take care of my snake and yellow jacket problem. But then again, the dachshunds and badgers are mortal enemies :)
so I may need to reconsider.