We put the dogs out in the backyard after supper to do their business and almost immediately both of them went off, barking the way they do when there is some kind of intruder onto the property. As we live out in the country, pedestrians are a rarity, and about the only vehicle that pulls into our driveway is the UPS truck, so when they bark like this we wonder what’s going on and we always investigate.
Here’s what had them going: a three-foot gopher snake under the roses. He was trying to make his get-away and at first crawled into the bush. I ran for my camera. Sorry, these are a bit blurry.
Brad got him out of the bush and the snake made a beeline toward the house, passing by the garage door and ultimately slithering under the foundation.
Knowing he isn’t venomous and is a predator of the pocket gophers and other rodents we’ve got around here soothes my initial shock at seeing the guy. Now, if he’ll just stay out of the backyard.
Carissa Snedeker Photography 
i love the last picture. the snakes like “what?!”
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He wasn’t too happy being disturbed like he was, that’s for sure. But he didn’t stick around, he just quickly skittled away.
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Venomous or not… I’d be scared of snakes 🙂
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Oh, he freaked me out at first. I had to google him to make sure my dogs would be okay if they tangled with him when we weren’t around.
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Oh My God, they make me afraid… And you captured it… bravo. 🙂 Wonderful photograph actually but makes me afraid… I don’t know why… Thank you dear Carissa, love, nia
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auch…I would be scared as hell… great you dare photograph this one…!
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A very pretty snake. I’m okay with snakes as long as they aren’t poisonous. Great shots. I’ve been trying to photograph a rubber boa we had in our garden a few weeks ago but I haven’t seen him recently.
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Ooh…I hope he comes back. I’d love to see your shots!
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Kudos for having the nerve to get close enough to photograph it. The last two images really show the beauty of the pattern of his skin…still too close for me though!
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Now that I know he’s not venomous, I’m not too concerned except for maybe the startle power he likely will always have on me!
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You are so brave to take a photo of this intruder… I’d be running in the opposite direction!
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I think it was more worried about us than we were of it!
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Did you scream at the snake to scare it? I am telling you, if I saw a visitor like this, taking photos would be the last thing on my mind LOL. But you’ve managed to take some pictures! Awesome!
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I put husband in charge of getting rid of the snake. I told him, “Kill it!” But he just got the pitchfork to try to lift it up and throw it over the fence. But before I let him engage with the snake I said, “Wait! Let me get my camera!” It’s a sickness, I know.
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