Snakes are probably most problematic in urban areas where they are more unexpected and for many folk rather out of context...one expects to find them in country areas, in the bush or around beach areas, but there have been many news stories over the past few years...snakes are able to insinuate themselves into many of the domestic appliances such as air conditioners, ceiling spaces, kids toy boxes, unattended gum boots etc. about the home. They tend to then give their hosts a bit of a fright when they pop out to introduce themselves.
All states have qualified reptile handlers able to attend a property to capture and relocate unwanted visitors, and as reptiles are protected and most snake bites occur when an inexperienced person tries to capture or kill an intruder, it is definitely a task best left to the experts.
Snakes are generally very shy, retiring creatures unless frightened or attacked (aren't we all). If they intrude into living spaces it is usually to get away from urban predators such as dogs or cats, or while looking for water or a quiet dark place to hide...I always ensure that I have a water source or two near the perimeter of the property, not just for birds and wildlife, but also for any reptiles that may be about...
I have lots of stories about snakes, growing up with bush and beaches as a constant playground, but as a small child I was very fond of our Bluey, who lived under our shack at Adventure Bay on Bruny Island...for many years, within minutes of our arrival at the shack, he would appear on a rock outside the kitchen window, waiting for a saucer of bread and milk...Blue tongues can live for around twenty years or so.
Don't blame me, I would never interact so closely with any wildlife these days, having developed a bit of understanding, and prefer not to visit zoos at all...but I was young and when someone thrusts a python round your neck and says "smile" it did seem better not to argue...but by the look on the snake's face, I think that I might have been holding it a little too tight...I do still remember the lovely cool silky feel of the skin of the handsome chap...
For the matting layer I used a grey scale scrap with text and clock faces...it seems appropriate for the amount of time that has passed since this image was taken...the paradigm here for me is, however, that it has passed seemingly so very rapidly...
This is my last few months of participating in the Every Inchie Monday challenge...I have really enjoyed participating and will certainly finish this year, but won't be continuing next year...
I loved going to the Show as a child. It was a grand day out back then, with the main focus on agriculture, livestock, horse riding...draught horse displays, sheep dog trials, meeting up with family friends, the picnic...wonderful memories...
We have picked up an additional shift at the Gallery for Thursday morning, for someone who can't fill their roster. I hope to have a few more cards made by then, and I have a couple of journals underway which I must knuckle down and finish, I like to have one at least on display and at present there is none. Someone also asked about the paper doll cards, wanting more...the cards are a pain to make as the fussy cutting is time consuming and one task I rather dislike, but hey...when one's public demands, one has no choice really ;)
By for now,
Di