Stepped on a fatboy copperhead today....

In my driveway, no less, about 10' from the back door and 5' from the steps to the deck. I had a delivery truck backing up in the driveway and it needed more room so I moved this old railroad tie that was part of a border on the opposite side of the house/deck and all of a sudden my son, who was behind me screamed out and grapped me backwards. I didn't have a clue what he was screaming, but then then I heard the word "copperhead" and he told me that I had stepped on it near the head and I freaked ...he killed it with an axe and it wasn't until he hit it that I saw it, it was so hard to see! It was a big one, probably a female, about 2" thick and maybe 2' long. I didn't see anymore of it because I was freaking and he got it out of there really fast. Usually we like a little time to examine it, but this was too close for comfort for me.

I know they are just snakes, but this makes two times now that I was so lucky not to get bit-the other time, last summer, my hand was 4" from one that was all coiled up and mad. The big question is-why have I never seen this one before?? I am going past that wood like 20 times a day-wasn't it out sunning ? How could I have not seen it? What are the chances that he just moved in( there was a hollowed out hole underneath the tie that he was sleeping (? or whatever he was doing...siesta, I don't know lol)

My son pointed out that we used to have a cat population of about 6 cats that has declined over the years. In twenty years of living here, before last summer, we only saw one. Last summer there were 4 and now the first is here this summer. Does anyone think the decline in cats has opened the door to a new vacation spot for these snakes. We only have 2 now and one was a kitten a year ago. My son was thinking that the cats were hunting the prey ( frogs, voles etc) that are now here for the snakes. Is it time to get 30-40 more cats???? lol

Oh lucky you! You've created a vacation spot for them. A lush utopia with all those tropicals to make all those Copperheads feel at home. Way to go Tigger! I have no great love of Copperheads. Better you than me. Will you be wearing something like this when you garden-
http://photos.cyberflunk.com/2001sept/europe/armor.jpg

Oh Lordie Lordie Lordie! I can see it now. The new designer gardening outfit for Tigger's little piece of paradise. And I thought having to wear micro fiber mosquito netting was bad.

EQUI,

LOLROF!!

TIGE,
Maybe we will hafta change your name to Chickenlily, lol, Tigers are BRAVER than that, lol. Can just pict TIGE jumping up and back at the same time, screaming!! lolrof. What MUST that poor delivery driver be thinking?? lol

WHERE is the pics?? As to not seeing them, they are designed by nature NOT to be seen by their prey. Not to say that you are prey, lol. The cats, however, are another matter. We had a barn owl that kept our cat and puppy population under control, as well as mice, rats, etc.

Get you some mid calf boots to wear, and WATCH where you touch, ;)

Best;
bluelytes

PS Could be anothe SCUTLER thread, LOL

TIGE,
WAIT till I tell MAGPIED, MAGPIE what your SON DID!!!! LOLROFPIMP

Best;
bluelytes

Careful now blulytes, poor Tigger is all bark and no bite. She shrieks then stands back and let's others do her dirty work. Incidentally, she doesn't have the strongest stomach either. Poor thing. She got shorted in the iron stomach and the bravery department. And I do believe a name change might be in order for her when it comes to Copperheads but I was thinking more along the lines of the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz.

Psst, ask her about what her other son did to the other Copperhead.

EQUI,
LOL!! Your name is better than mine, hehehe.

TIGE, Umm, a little birdy tells me your OTHER son did something to ANOTHER copperhead. What happened then?? Am I gonnna have to make ANOTHER report to MAGPYED?? lol

Best;
bluelytes

lol...you two are idiots....I asked a serious question about the cats and look what I get....hopeless. For the record..I never screamed....just internally...it was the adrenaline rush that I meant by freaking out!

Although that armour suit isn't a bad idea...does it come in a lighterweight summer wear??? Could I spray it green-thats more becoming on me...

As for my son-he's getting a medal as far as I am concerned!

There are actually several stories with him and killing copperheads-one quite funny-which did I tell you Equil? Before everyone gets upset...it wasn't the killing of the copperhead that was funny-it was what I thought he was doing that was funny

Maybe I should share the story about how I came home one night and there were deer in the yard and something came over me and I chased them thru the yard with my car, honking away...my kids thought I was nuts..

Careful Tigger, I have low self esteem ya know, very low and bluelytes looks as if she suffers from low self esteem too!

Hey blue.... what do you think about getting therapists. Think we could get two for the price of one for her comments?

Tell the one about what you thought he was doing. That is one that will be a Depends moment. I gotta run out the door. Have fun ladies.

Not to get off topic, but regarding the copperheads: We've lost cats to them as well. They'd just crawl off into a quiet place to die. Pretty sad. Glad you weren't bitten. Those suckers can hurt.

I hear pigs are great for snake control. If I lived somewhere with a real problem, I'd consider that, but I don't want my yard to be a mudbath.

You want a good snake story - I will tell you one on my mom...

me and mom where out there digging out in the sweet potato patch just digging away. I would loose the clump and she would reach under it and pull it up. and flip it over to dry in the sun before we cleaned them up and set them on screens to dry. We had been working for several hours and she reached under and lifted on rather small clump and out from under her hands I could see a snake tailso i told her to just hold the clump (never told her what I would see) and got the hoe ready, she fliped it and I hit it... needless to say we took it to the county agent and he said cotton mouth for sure - worse it was a baby only 12 in or so and said the mad mama was out ther in our sweet potatos with a brood of 4-10 more. I never could get mom out there to help do any more of the potatos - I did get some guys over to help and we dug each one - very slowly! - but found no other snakes. Our patch was 5-8 feet away from a large pond so we figure they lived over there - funny thing mom still will not eat sweet potatos anymore!

I'm with your mom, Mitch, the adrenaline is not fun!

Zeppy, I don't want to lose any cats to the snakes, just wondering if that was the reason why we are seeing so many now.

I am thinking about training my dog to sniff them out -kind of like a bird dog, or the dogs that smell drugs....just some kind of signal to let me know where he is....and then I go get my son lol

MITCH,
LOL, funny story.

EQUIL,
Therapists, AND we should narc to DAVE on TIGER, and whine to him that our wittle feewings was hurted, and threaten to LEAVE DG if we dont get our way!! Whatcha think?

Best;
bluelytes

what do you mean " get your way"???? lol get your way about what???? Do I have to go to my room or something????

Tiger, I didn't read your post right and thought you were wondering if the snakes were responsible for the declining cat population, not that the decline in cats has allowed more snakes. But I think that can be a factor too: our last cat often killed the baby copperheads (he died a natural death). The babies have a bright yellow tip to their tail when young. I think a dog could be trained to help; ours certainly knew where the rattlesnakes were in our last residence.

Could all this sniping about other DGers possibly be laid to rest or at least taken onto private email? I clicked on this thread b/c I also have copperheads, not because I want a rehash of the drama and nastiness that's spoiled other threads. I'm not the only one who's getting really bored with it.

edited for stupid typos

This message was edited Jul 12, 2006 1:16 PM

Perhaps this too, was missed ...
* Yep, dogs can be trained to seek snakes and alert folks of 'dangerous' (poisonous) snakes. With certain breeds (and some luvable mutts) .. it comes natural, to them.

This message was edited Jul 12, 2006 3:31 PM

MAGP,
My apologies for a simple typo. However, I am unable to remove a post once its made. I am sorry for you getting SOO UPSET over a SIMPLE SPELLNG error.

YOU are the one that seems obessed with trying to continue things that others have long since dropped. May I suggest you do the same?? YOUR LAST post is the one that NEEDS to be removed, IMHO, since it has NOTHING to do with the thread of "Garden Foes". Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but I saw NOTHING in YOUR post: ".. bluelytes ..
With utmost respect; I sent a DGmail to you earlier this morning. Allowing that there is some time difference between us; I see, however .. that you have since posted here in this thread, and you've yet to alter/edit your post. I again, ask you to reciprocate; to remove my name from your flame fueling escapades. For as I'd stated in my DGmail to you .. " I certainly don't desire the carefree use and delivery of *my* name [Magpye] .. unjustifiably used and/or contributing to the aid of fanning flames any further.
Quoted:
TIGE, Umm, a little birdy tells me your OTHER son did something to ANOTHER copperhead. What happened then?? Am I gonnna have to make ANOTHER report to MAGPYED?? lol"
that is REMOTELY RELATED to either Gardens, Foes, OR Garden Foes.

Best;
bluelytes

blue you cannot remove but you can go back and edit any post it is in blue letters under the time and date you posted - it is really easy to do, we have all at one time or another have had to do this to our posts.

I've not requested of you to 'remove' anything. Don't reckon that you might've considered a wee response to the DGmail either.

Thank you, Mitch .. for trying.

And my deepest apologies to you, tigerlily123 ..

((huggs))

- Magpye

Just trying to show people that their are nice ways to let people know you do not agree, a cup of sugar is everything when we are working with other humans.

Well....did anybody besides me think it funny that Equil suggested that I wear that armour suit to garden in??? I just wish everyone would look at the humor of things-its better to laugh than get upset. Equil and I go at it all the time, and we can't stop laughing while we are poking fun at each other....


Back to the snakes....
Zeppy sorry for the confusion-no, the snakes never killed the cats, but because the amt of cats is a lot less, there are more frogs, etc here. And now more snakes, it seems.

Magpye...I read the other two threads, I don't know a starling from a sparrow myself, but I think it was confusing to some when you posted at the end-with your name so similiar to the other that also is a magpie (sp? don;t remember the name or how to spell the name of the bird). I was/am still confused with the two names :). Perhaps bluelytes was/is as well?? I don't care what you write in this thread-I don't care what anybody writes. I am a big girl and if I don't agree or like with what someone says, i can skip it or respond! No problems here!!
I will say though, that I don't always respond to a dmail right away, sometimes I take a few days to do it, and I sure hope that no one ever expects me to respond right away!! Give Blue the benefit of the doubt -sometimes its best to wait to respond!

Further incentive for me to keep my cats around, then!

I don't think anyone minds the banter back and forth between friends in a forum. It's the snide ragging on other people not present that I was referring to. Nuff said.

Tigger to your room! Bring some grapes and a sap collection recepticle. You're probably going to need it one of these days real soon with that great advice you got from one of your landscapers. I'll send you the bill to a therapist as soon as it arrives. I expect payment upon receipt. I want- Symplocarpus foetidus. Three would be nice. Incidentally, I think you might look pretty punk in hot pink chain mail. Forget that heavy old armor. Wear something that will breathe.

Blulytes, find a room with a therapist for your wittle hurted feewings and send her the bill. Don't expect reimbursement in the form of cash though but she sends great plants.

Mitch, I'm trying to think of something for you but am coming up empty handed at the moment. Don't feel left out... when it hits me I'll come back for you. You can run, but you cannnot hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide.

Zeppy Zeppy Zeppy, get more cats and then more and more and more. Misery loves company. I just picked up a new one at the animal shelter. I needed another linoleum lizard like I needed a hole in the head.

you know...I can't think of a better punishment than being sent to my room!! can i go now?? lol too tired to write more.....been shredding the myrtles and hollies we cut down and my ears are ringing :)

EQUI,
Send plants?? Did someone say send GOOD plants?? Hmmmm.... I might have to take back everything I said about TIGE, hehehe

The suit armor stuff was very funny, BTW, and NO TIGE, you were NOT the only one. :)

Best;
blue

lets all just get along okkkkk????? lol aren't they cute together? They are the best of buds


Blue.....I am a grower-thats all that I have are plants!!

bring on your best - it will only be a flesh wound... lol

Mitch, Equil is such a softie lol her bark is so much worse than her bite!!! But she is funny huh??? Esp when she tries to come after you! I don't think I laugh harder than when she is trying to insult me!

Stuff some grapes in your face woman. Best to practice for the day that birch comes through your roof.

Touching toes! I'm touched.

Our cats have a love hate relationship with our dogs. In the winter they like them because they are like heated furniture. Other than that, they beat up my dogs. My dogs still stick their faces by the cats to annoy them but they close their eyes before they do it. Eli bit Twinkletoes in the face the other day after he had popped him a few times with his paws. I guess he'd had enough of being slimed by sloppy Great Dane lips. That cat walked off with a hanger stuck to him. One big slimey shoe string like dog slobber hanging off the side of the cat's head and it was swinging when he walked off. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. I went to go get a paper towel to get it off but decided to run for the camera instead. By the time I came back, the slime was gone. I have no idea where the slimey hanger went. Eli is that 5 year old cat I picked up at the animal shelter about a week ago or so.

Say Tigger, think we should let Blulytes into our special weaving club? I think we should let Mitch in too. Zeppy's a given as she's got cats and could contribute a lot to the cause. Do you remember where that thread was or even what the subject started out as?

Hmmm, a mere flesh wound? You mock me eh big boy. Well, I'll get you when you least expect it. I'll... I'll... I'll think of something sooner or later. I can be creative you know. Particularly when I get slap happy.

Did you ever watch Monty Python? All my quick quips come from them...

MITCH,
Oh? Well, then, that explains why your mother smells of elderberries!! lol ;) :P
Sorry, I could not remember the entire insult, lol

the killer rabbit....that was great! Thats what Equil needs to threaten you with Mitch!! That will get you right in line!

Men and Monty Python, must be a guy thing! My husband gets his material from Monty Python too.

http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/cartoon/images/miscellaneous/crusader-colorbook.JPG

Oh, for Pete's sake! I came back because I'd hoped all the hissing and swatting had died down. Maybe I should take the summer off....

No, I'm not threatening to leave DG in a fit of pique because my feewings are huwt. I just have enough unpleasantness in my life right now in real time, and I come here because I want to talk about something that's healing and calming for me--gardening.

But then, I'm having the exterminator in next week to kill hundreds or maybe thousands of cute, harmless little spiders, so maybe I should be banned from DG for being a murderer.

Yes, I'm slaughtering Charlotte and all her babies.

All this talk of killing wildlife has made me hungry. There's meat market a mile away that specializes in exotic meats. Yeah, maybe I should invite Thumper and Bambi over for dinner....

"Cover me!"
"With what, sire?"
"Oh, just...cover me."

We are the knights that say Knee, and we are not scared of your little self.


lol

I give you the evil African Sparrow to drop coconuts on your land... argggg

Gosh White Hydrangea, I am sorry that you are having a bad time in your life right now, I hope things get better. I had a really bad year last year and it sucked. I feel for you. I just kept thinking that things couldn't get worse, and eventually they didn't lol

I wish I could remember more of the Monty Python to come back at you with....but the rabbit made the strongest impression on me....oh wait-when they were throwing the animals over the parapet-that was pretty funny

the coconut shells that were supposed to be the horses hoofs... and the knight that was trying to fight w/out his arms or legs

If you are not careful there I will turn your dog into a parrot! I just have to glue on the feathers...

the African Sparrow was said to carry the coconuts to England thus they had the shells to make the "horses" out of...

Dont forget he lost his body too! Come back and I will bite your shins!

Forgive me while I recover from White's comments. I think I should have had a spray guard up in front of my keyboard when I read about what was going to happen to Charlotte and all her babies nest week. You brut you! Speaking of being a "waste not want not person", have you ever tried chocolate covered insects? They taste just like rice crispies covered in chocolate. I'm thinking maybe you could apply the same concept here and have some nice little arachnid munchies to pass around at a bunco party or something. Wouldn't you give tons of money to see the looks on the ladies faces if they found out they had been eating and liking the taste of chocolate covered Charlottes? Thumper and Bambi! You stole my terms of endearment for Hasenpfeffer and Whitetail Salami. What IS this world coming to?

Oh, Incidentally... this cracks me up and I'm not even a Monty Python fan-