Just about as good as it gets

Basking in the sun, on a slope by the creek, after meals —

not a word between us.

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Eastern Garter Snake

There is no mistaking the sound of a snake slithering over dry leaves.

The sound will find sight pretty quickly to prevent a tread on an often overlooked Eastern Garter.

Here, one slipped quickly beneath a web of linked fence lining lawn and wilderness.

The snake and I paused in appreciation.

It then removed to a pile of grass clippings and leaves at the base of a pine.

In time, satisfactorily sensing the situation with a peeping head and tongue, the snake proceeded to carry our sunny encounter over a shadowy earth.

The hill is well-suited for feeding on salamander and worm.

There’s a lot of sun above and water below.

I fully expect to see a garter’s return.
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