Skywatch – The Uninvited Guest

I'll start this post at the end of the story, not wanting to disappoint the Skywatch viewers who come over to see who's posing in front of a New Mexico blue sky this week. 

 

This bullsnake showed up in the barn last Tuesday.  For purposes of this story, I shall call him Slippery.

It was dinnertime, and I was busy preparing the boys' meals. There was a commotion in Lyle's stall and I went to investigate. There was Slippery, and Lyle was chasing him. What a surprise. I watched Slippery slide into the feed room and slither behind the trash can. Swell. But at least I knew where he was. I finished making everybody's dinner, albeit on high alert and grateful that I wasn't wearing flip-flops for a change.

Wednesday morning, with much trepidation, I looked behind the trash can and Slippery was still there. In fact, he hadn't moved an inch since I'd last seen him. Hmmm. Wednesday at lunch time, he was still there and he hadn't moved. Hmmm. Wednesday at dinner time, same story. Was he even alive? Had his encounter with an over-curious horse caused a fatal heart attack? Surely he'd begin to stink up the joint if he were dead. Hmmm. I would postpone any decisive action until the next day.

Thursday morning - Slippery is still motionless behind the trash can. It's time to cowgirl up and figure out if he's still alive. Deets comes along to assist.

If you're having trouble watching the video above, you can also find it here.

Deets seemed content to let sleeping snakes lie, but not me. I wanted to go into the feed room without fearing for my life. It was time for a little "catch and release" with my custom-built snake pole, which Miss Mikey taught me how to make here.


I gathered my weapons, opened the door, slipped the noose over Slippery's body, and he promptly slid right out of it and slithered away to places unknown. Note to self: be quicker next time.  And is it me or is that feed room starting to look like a speakeasy?

Lyle was just as disappointed as I was that we didn't catch him. Tomorrow's another day.

Thursday...no sign of Slippery. Not good.  I know he's around somewhere. Friday...still no sign. Maybe he got the hint and left town? Late Saturday afternoon...I'd just arrived home with a load of hay.  First I'll get everybody fed, I thought, then I'll unload the hay.  I open the feed room door. 

I'll get you, my pretty.

And I did! The snake pole worked like a charm.  I caught Slippery, placed him in a trash can, then took a long walk off the ranch.  Before I set him free, I caught him one more time so I could take a picture just for you.  

When last seen he was headed east, in the direction of my neighbors' place.

I called to let them know that: 1) they may have an uninvited guest for dinner and 2) they might want to grab that snake pole I made them for Christmas.