Black snakes

Papa’s World – A new mulch-covered trail – pond!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Good day everyone – in our Cameron Woods Community – the last single-family homes are almost complete –

And at the end of a cul-de-sac – on common space – a trail leading to two ponds –

one almost a small lake –

It was covered in mulch and led to the bigger pond-lake –

The other pond was sodded with grass and will be mowed.

The path to the large pond will have a bridge – this day only wooden pallets served as stepping

path to cross the ditch!

You can see the mulch path on the other house side of the ditch –

and the pallets on which you stand to cross the ditch.

All the homes you see on the other side are just being completed and some have occupants

This pond lake is the biggest of all the ponds we have.

We walked the first big pond on the other end of Cameron Woods – and came here and walked this neighborhood –

And that walk alone was just two miles!

I would say if we walked all the neighborhoods and cul-de-sacs –

we would be close to seven miles!

Including all the ponds that are walkable.

This is the view to the left after crossing over on the pallets.

The path goes to the right and leads to the far side of the water.

It continues following the pond out of sight of the water and into the woods on the far upper side.

The pond then continues through the trees at the bend of the water to the left.

The path is about 10 or 12 feet wide-

Large enough to allow maintenance trucks if needed.

Yes – we have seen small gators in here and if there are small ones –

well the mother must also be here.

Now – later in the Sring and Summer – bugs will be out –

so the spray will be used!

But on this day – the woods were full of birds singing –

and as always I am watchful for snakes in here.

Have not seen any but I am more vigilant –

They are more present in my mind than the gators in the water.

Here is the view after walking to the right and around the pond and through the woods from the left

side of the pond.

The walk was level – saw no gators or snakes!!!! LOL

We now have the ponds to walk along with the roads and cul-de-sacs!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – A NEW MULCH-COVERED TRAIL AROUND ANOTHER POND!

Nature in our backyard – Snakes and Turkey!

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The open patio in the backyard with the protected tree line.

We have an enclosed lanai along with an open patio with a fire pit.

It does get really hot in the sun out in the open – but mornings are shaded and so are early evenings.

Papa sitting outback watching for snakes!
And I spotted the first of two that I have seen!

Needless to say – we are not happy with this – I spread snake-be-gone around and mow the grass short.

But – it is a protected area in the woods – and since I put down the snake-be-gone –

we have not seen anymore – but I warn the grandkids to watch what they are doing!

This one I later found out was not poisonous and as soon as I took the picture-

it turned around and very fast went back into the woods.

Then a few days after – two large turkeys and little ones crossed the yard as I sat out there!
I was sipping my coffee and all of a sudden they came from between the houses.

We have also seen them down by the pond!

At night – deer will set off our motion light in the backyard as I will look out and see them.

We are only four miles from the beach – but it is real country.

One of the reasons we picked this area.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – Backyard – SNAKE watching!

/ Tom / Leave a comment
Sitting on my open-air patio – I have seen two snakes on the lawn in a couple days!

This has been the first time I have seen snakes in the backyard!

I knew they were around – I was sitting out here and saw my first one

about twenty feet away.

I am respectful of snakes as long as they keep their distance.

This one was coming through the grass straight at me!

I first saw it right over the top of the solo stove in the shade to the right of the palm tree.

When I got up and took a step toward it – it stopped and raised its head.

It was not afraid of me and just stayed where it was at.

I managed to get a picture of it and later identified it as non-poisnous

But it was long – and extensive around – a water snake someone said.

Now – we are in a drought and very dry.

The woods is where it came from and there is a pond about a quarter-mile away.

But no water back there.

The woods line the entire backyard and are protected and will stay there.

I know snakes are in there but we do not go near them and always are watching and looking down.

The next day I saw a small black snake – in the same place!

Both snakes – as soon as I turned away – reversed their direction and very quickly went back into the woods.

Since then I have made sure the grass is cut low – they like long grass –

and we bought SNAKE-BE-GONE and MOTH BALLS!

I spread it all along the tree line – so far have not seen anymore.

But – our neighbors down the street – had a timber rattler in their yard that bit their dog!

They rushed it to the vet and was saved and took a picture of the snake,

So – we are careful when out in the yard or walking the streets and paths.

We are investigating other methods of snake control –

we have several species of dangerous snakes in this state.

I respect nature but also want to protect ourselves and our company.

It is all part of living in the south.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD

MY BLOG SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog BACKYARD – SNAKE WATCHING fitztdf@aol.com

Papa’s World – Steps on the trail around the pond and through the woods – at Cameron Woods!

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When we walk – we can go in two directions – this walk is to the East – and the Pond.

E Lindley Lane, S.W.

Here we turn right and walk down the street – there are maybe six houses down here that are still in construction – and all are at the end of this road and then onto the cul-de-sac that winds around to the back of our house through the woods.

But before you get to that other street – the entrance to the trail that walks all the way around the pond – is on the left. Past the only two true story homes in the entire development.

Here you see my wife Sherry starting on the path and the pond is to her right – and in the middle, some 100 feet away is a somewhat raised portion – almost like an old farm road.

This is where WOODIE – THE GATOR – likes to sunbathe!

When the temps rise and the sun comes out – most times you can find WOODIE!

Although I have only ever seen one gator in here – neighbors have seen TWO – both this size!

I would estimate it is 6 plus feet long!

Maybe seven feet!

These neighbors who live on the pond have also seen Otters – lots of Turtles – and have caught a big mouth bass out of here!

The next blog will be “ENTERING THE WOODS” where I am on watch for snakes!

We have seen one rather large Black Snake laying on the path before you go into the woods –

so we just turned around and went back.

Sherry watches the trees and I watch the ground!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World

MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD

MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

NEST BLOG: “INTO THE WOODS”

Papa’s World – Planted mums – arrange the patio and – fire in the Solo Stove fire pit.

/ Tom / Leave a comment
This area is protected – conservation and wetland.

We selected this lot because of the wooded area and these woods will not be cleared out!

So – we have tried to go natural – planting Oleanders – and flowers that come back each year.

Bird feeder – and more plants to be added as we see how it goes.

The Solo Stove fire pit on the open patio.

We have been buying small bags of wood at various stores – plus picking up dead tree limbs.

Now – we tried burning pine combs – of which there is an abundance all around the community.

We generally start the fire in the early evening – still light out.

By 8:00 pm. we are done and I let it just burn out with the red coals.

Mums along with pine straw.

We have not seen anything in the woods other than a squirrel.

But I have been told to watch out for snakes!

We do have Copperheads in the area – and down the road, by the pond, we saw a large Black Snake!

I am ever watchful – always looking around – wild turkey and deer are also around.

To the right is the covered – enclosed Lanai – with the open patio in the center.

Our lawn is not large – normal size – and we did not want a large lawn to take care of!

Being we both are retired – and we sold all our lawn equipment – I have the lawn mowed every two weeks!

I have also had the landscaping done – and in the Spring will have fresh mulch!

The Solo Stove flames – a couple comfortable seats and a few beverages – an evening on the patio.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – MUMS and SOLO STOVE – fire in the pit – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

We are located here from NVA – loving the weather – no snow – no ice – mostly blue skies – and sunshine.

Tower Garden – flowers – chairs – Solo Stove and Sherry.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD – ( PAPA’S WORLD)

Papa’s World – beaching it homeless friends golf

/ Tom / Leave a comment

When you wake up early – and you know it will be a good day

because you are going to golf with a friend of some 44 years!

GOOD MORNING WORLD!

It was overcast – a great day to golf and not take the heat from the sun!

You have arrived – still cloudy – a gentle breeze!

You park the cart and wait as a group is ahead of you!

It is going to be awesome!

Finally the group ahead has hit and you pull up to your TEE BOX!

Of course it is not the same TEE that they hit off!

But the “SENIOR” TEE BOX!

EXCITED TO GO!

Jim will hit first – but as you walk up –

Wait! “Jim – What is THAT”!

” Hello – can you say BLACK SNAKE” !

Some four feet long!

Crawling across the tee box behind Jim!

And he does not do well around snakes!

He says – “Where there is one – there is another following it”!

So – I reply – “Unless this one is the second one” ! LOL

And then – at the first green – he discovered he was so taken with the snake

He had lost or misplaced his wedge which he was practicing with!

Even though we turned around and went back –

we could not find it!

So – we turned it in when we were done –

He let me know that they contacted him

and they think the pro shop has it!

It turned out to be a awesome day – overcast – warm and good friend.

The beach awaited us on our return!

The snake continued on into the trees and needless to say

we did not look for golf balls!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – A walk in Panther Paw point park!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We decided to drive seven miles away –

To a state park where there was a almost three mile

nature walking path –

Named Panther Paw point park –

because they spotted a panther there

sometime in the past!

” LIONS – TIGERS and BEARS OH MY” !

The loop ran trough the woods and then around this lake
and the trail around the lake
in some spots
got very narrow
with brush and reeds on either side!
We read this before starting out
and notice the pictures of all
we might observe while walking
we did see a lot of areas dug up
like giant moles had been there
my thought “WILD BOARS”!
Here is a picture map
of the several loops
you can make
This also is a place
where people come to ride horses
there were a half dozen
horse trailers in the lot!
Debbie and Tom
the path leading into the woods
As you can see
stay on the path
its a jungle out there!
After walking through the woods
you break out and start following the lake
The first GATOR we saw
just over the bank
and right near the water
I would estimate 15 to 20
feet from me!
He was big – but not as big
as the next one we saw
still I was nervous
standing there!
Just down from the gator
about 30 feet away
that gator would of been one half the distance

The path itself was 10 to 12 feet wide

with the lake and reeds and bushes and trees on one side

the other side sometimes a fence with pasture

other times just marsh and a lot of bushes

I keep my eyes on the lake side!

And I never saw the gators until I was maybe 25 feet away!

Now- I never saw this fellow
Sherry was following
and she said here is a snake
I had walked right by it!
It was maybe 6 to 8 feet away
She saw it – it raised up
and she backed away
and then she took this picture
when I went back it was slithering away
I told her it looked like a black snake
but still I never saw it!
I would say it was 4 or 5 feet long!
Avery big hawk sitting on a gate
this was pasture land on the right side
away from the lake
however
there were sections that you could not see through
and the path narrowed down
to maybe 6 or 7 feet wide
making me very nervous!
This guy was huge!
I would say 10 to 12 feet long
those are the hind legs
and the tail was maybe another four foot long
He was really big around and almost black!
This one was maybe 15 feet over the side
of the bank – out of the water
and in the bushes and reeds
there was a trail down to him
and I assume that is where he went
back and forth!

This gator was really big – never moved – I learned later

at that time of day – they are not that active – plus the water

is only around 60 degrees –

They are night hunters and during the day -they warm up in the sun

and heat of the day and digest their food

from the night before!

This one was maybe 200 yards from the other one

which makes me think this was his territory!

It was a beautiful walk
nervous at times
hot in the sun
a half dozen horse riders passed us
I WOULD NOT WALK THIS AT TWILIGHT!
The birds and ducks
huddle together
in the middle of the lake
we have been told several times
that gators do not attack in deep water
That is why people swim in the middle of the lakes
and water skiers
are in the water in these lakes
BUT I DO NOT TRUST THAT!
That’s like telling me BEARS don’t bite in the woods! LOL
I hope you liked this little adventure
It was a spur of the moment
lark that we went on!
SAW TWO GATORS AND A BLACK SNAKE!
along with birds horses – riders – and where
Wild boars ( pigs) dug up the ground
or some very GIANT MOLES!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

PAPA – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY !
THANK YOU!