Ssssstop!!!
I went driving in a ute to pick up my Dad from his grader-driving stint yesterday.
Some people play bowls or go fishing to relax when they are almost-70.
My Dad goes grader driving.
He’s had an unusual life.
We were having a lovely chat, he and I, on the way back through the paddocks, when I saw what looked like a branch lying halfway across the road. A branch that, ever so slightly, moved.
I jammed on the brakes, reversed a little and grabbed the camera.
See what I see??
As my hubby would say: It’s a Joe Blake!
Or in the immortal words of Steve Irwin: Isn’t he a little beauty!??
I don’t actually know if it’s a ‘he’ but I DO know that it not one of our real nasty legless residents – but a non-venomous python- a black-headed python to be exact.
A curious black-headed python… he refused to slide off into the grass beside the road until he had well and truly checked us out. It’s important to note that I stayed in the safety of the vehicle – he may have just been curious and non-venomous, but I wasn’t about to see if he was up for giving me a taste test!
To be honest, I’m not really a snake-lover, but these particular snakes are considered ‘good guys’ out here – they are carnivores. They are said to eat other (more dangerous) snakes like taipans and death adders and fierce snakes. At least, that’s what ‘they’ say.And I am happy to take ‘them’ at their word.
Some people also keep these guys as exotic pets.
I have to say, I am still leaning towards a Great Dane.
But that’s just me.
Venomous or not, this zoomed in glimpse through the Nikon zoom is quite close enough for me…How about you?
Are you a snake-lover?
27 Comments
Cactus Jack Splash
I had “pet” snakes as a child, but after being bit by a venomous snake while on a trail ride I only love them from a distance…a very long distance.
Mom L
Actually, that’s a beautiful python! I’ve never feared snakes, but I learned growing up in Florida to steer clear of rattlers, coral snakes and other venomous crawlies. I volunteered at a zoo in Maryland several years ago and held part of a huge albino reticulated python named Banana Boy. Took 2 of us to hold him up for people to see.
BTW, this Yank finally googled “ute” to find out what the heck kind of vehicle it is!!!
Nancy in Atlanta
Kelly
I’m not particuarly afraid of snakes (now WORMS are another story…), but considering we have our fair share of poisonous ones around (copperheads, water moccasins/cotton-mouths, rattlers) I usually give them a fairly wide berth.
If it’s someone’s pet, I’ve been known to hold a boa constrictor.
That’s quite an interesting looking specimen you had there!
Danielle Michelle
As long as he can’t kill me…he really is pretty. I like how the bronze plays over the black of his body.
I’m not sure I would have gotten out of the truck either though!
sues2u2
He is a beauty! But not for me to see. lol, I'm Not a huge snake fan. Love the ones that kill the bad snakes we have but not too interested in getting up close & personal w/ any of them either.
Mikey
I’m a snake fan and I love it! He’s a big un’ as we say over here. Very cool to see!
Mindee@oufrontdoor
I am decidedly NOT a snake lover. Up close anyway, but as you say they do serve a purpose. I’m glad you let him pass. 😉
Kate
He is gorgeous! I love snakes, always have. I used to catch garter snakes all the time when i was little, i love the way they move. And snakes eat mice and i am terrified of mice. Weird right? He really is beautiful, i love his coloring. I have to be careful of rattlers around here but luckily they let you know where they are. I think i would be much more leery of snakes in your neck of the woods. You have some scary snakes down there my dear.
A Novel Woman
Oooh, I love snakes! We had a 6 foot black rat snake living under our woodpile at the cottage. Not venomous, totally cute. He liked to come out and warm up in the sun.
Gina (KS)
Like snakes? No Way!! I’m ok if they are at a distance. But if one is close enough to touch me, I freak. That one has some beautiful coloring, never seen one quite like that before. But then again have never really looked at a snake long enough to notice the coloring, usually heading in the opposite direction. 🙂
Debby
Nope. Not a goanna person. Not a snake person. Nope.
Paint Girl
Ok, I had no idea where this was going until I saw that awful snake! I am absolutely terrified of them! Snakes and spiders are 2 of my biggest fears!
We only have non-venonous snakes here and they are not that big. Just your typical gardner snake but I am still terrified of them. One of my cats likes to bring them home to me. She either drops them in the garage for me to freak out when I go in there or at the back door. If I see her coming towards me with one in her mouth I’ll take off running.
You did get some great pictures, even though looking at them freaks me out!
Pony Girl
Not a big fan. I’m not sure how I would even live part of a state where there were a lot of snakes to deal with! I know most of them mind their own business, but I’ve seen blogs where people have had to deal with rattlers a lot, especially around barns and pastures. I just think I’m missing the snake handling gene! 😉
Reddunappy
Yeah here is Washington on the west side we do not have venomous snakes. Washington is split in half by the Cascade mtns. We do have Gartner snakes and Green grass snakes. The kids caught a big 2′ long pregnant Gartner snake one year, she bit my son, drew blood but he said it didnt hurt LOL she was pissed at being caught! and one time while fishing on the Columbia River we seen a Green grass snake about 3 1/2 feet long, bright green on top and tan belly, realy pretty snake, it was climbing through the bushes next to the river. Those are the only two kinds of snakes I have seen locally. ON the East side of the state we have a couple kinds of rattle snakes and Bull snakes, which are the good ones, they eat rattle snakes but look just like them! but have no rattle.
We do have black widow and hobo spiders but I have never seen one, not big but venomous both!
I have liked being able to raise kids in an area where we dont have to worry about snakes!
To The Manor Boyle
See now there is a reason this country girl lives in the city… We don’t get too many round here..
Great job with the braking.. lol
Audrey.
Leenie
I don’t know if you were taking a poll, but there are fifteen blogs ahead of me and by my count there are eight HATE SNAKES, five LOVE SNAKES, and two take’em or leave ems. I think I will vote in the last group. I don’t hate them, but if I come upon one unexpectedly it will give me a scare. That one is a beauty.
Jayne
Snakes at a healthy distance are just fine and dandy with me 😉
Country Girl
I’m not into snakes, but these photos of this particular one are beautiful.
And I have no idea what a ute is.
Woman in a Window
I LOVE that they don’t live in Canada, not like that, they don’t. Just had snake dreams last night, and they weren’t warm and fuzzy.
dykewife
i love snakes. i have all my life. that said, i have a high degree of respect for them and never approach a snake that i don’t know for absolute certain is non-venomous. Of course, this far north the only venomous snake around is a rattler. other than that we have bull snakes and garter snakes.
i’d also not have a snake as a pet. they belong outside where they eat pest animals like deer mice that are known to spread hanta virus.
Pencil Writer
Safe distance is never a bad plan when dealing with snakes particularly ones that can do you harm–pythons that size I think are capable of such deeds. Fortunately it wasn’t poisonous!
And, isn’t that what telephoto lenses are all about?
Anonymous
AACKKKK! EKKKK even! I hope you used a telephoto lens? You could not pay me to get close to that snake, no matter what Steve Irwin use to say about them!! (God rest him)
signed
Theresa in Alberta
Bush Babe
Great responses everyone… I knew a snake would get you all interested!!! This fella is actually quite small for his species – black-headed pythons can grow to be HUGE. This one was no longer than six feet and the thickness of a woman’s arm. But he was very bold and made me a bit nervous.
The most dangerous snakes are often the smallest one – death adders are no longer than about three feet but can kill very quickly. Still, whenever a snake sighting is reported, you always state the length for best effect!!!
NB A ute is short for utility – or pickup. Another post coming up on language methinks!
d/iowa
ewwwwwwwwwwwww!
cool shots though!
what’s a ute?
we have a town here called Ute so i was just wondering.
d/iowa
oh ps- just noticed your new header and phrase- love it!
BOSSY
Please excuse Bossy her lack of comment. She is hiding under covers. Thank you.
BCP Veterinary Pharmacy
Such a beautiful creature! 🙂