Texas Rat Snake

Daylight was beginning to wane and dusk was on the way. To my left I saw something on the Monterey Oak tree, a long slender body turning in several Ss as it slithered its way up the trunk. The brown patches along its length were clearly visible and frankly fairly alarming, but its head was narrow -- no need to fetch the shovel.

I called Trudy who came over and sat on the bench. We watched it climb to the first branch about three feet from the ground and then go out on the limb.

The wind was blowing hard, and the branch shook and the leaves fluttered. Yet the snake was at ease, on the prowl, looking for a nest perhaps. We've seen small, broken eggs around here lately.

The snake moved slowly, balancing on twigs so small they carried only a few leaves. We thought it might drop into the birdbath for a drink. (It has been so hot, after all.) But when it reached the end, it slowly returned to the trunk and slid down the far side, peering around the edge periodically to keep an eye on us.

And then we lost it. We lost it! For heaven's sake, how can you lose a snake that's climbing down a tree trunk only a few feet away from you!?

I walked around the tree. The snake wasn't there. I stood and stared into the foliage, certain it was just hidden, for the light was seriously fading now. No snake to be seen.

We sat a while longer on the bench enjoying the cool air and the blowing breeze and the onset of evening. Then I turned my head and saw it slithering across the driveway next door. A few minutes later we spotted it climbing the trunk of their Red Oak, an older tree than ours and one where the prospects for a nest are probably better.

There's a squirrel that lives up there, I think. I've seen him come down to take a drink. Might be a rough night for him. But at least our toads, who must have been quivering in their hiding places only inches from there the snake had passed by, certainly they are sleeping better now.

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