Monday, August 9, 2010

Green Snake...

Volunteering at Shawnee State Park in Southeastern Ohio
Green Snake is another favorite at the nature center. Overtly friendly and super active, he loved to climb up arms and fingers like he would a tree with tiny branches. Green Snake was graceful and smooth, and definitely the most "cartoonish" in his movements of all the snakes at the nature center. He could glide like butter across a hot pan as he expertly wound himself around fingers, hair, camera straps, and anything else in his way. He would stop and look at you now and then, hovering midair before smoothly and suddenly dipping down to wrap himself around something new.

Green Snake hovers in the air while his tail entwines around this small boy's fingers.

...again, Green Snake seems to defy gravity.

Kids liked the name "Green Snake," but because he was a Green Snake kids would often try to to come up with something unique. Matty and I heard lots of attempts at new names...Mr. Green Jeans, String Bean, Slinky, Snots (gross, I know, but after all, he was green...and little boys were the ones coming up with the ideas...), throughout the entire week nothing new seemed to stick, so Green Snake is still Green Snake.

Green Snakes are native to Ohio, although they are a bit rare. I'd love to stumble across one, and my chances might be going up. I just read an article in the Dayton Daily News that reports 11 Smooth Green Snakes were found on the Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Big news considering it's the first time the snakes have been found in our area since 1871! Click here for a a link to the article.

I think Jenny said Green Snake was a Rough Green Snake. They are found in the southern-most parts of Ohio. There's no denying his beauty. Sleek and streamlined, his neon green skin was almost surreal. He was fun to watch and could eat crickets like nobody's business. Within seconds of popping a few in his cage, he would seek out and devour them.

38 comments:

Caroline said...

What a beautiful creature - love his smile!!

Unknown said...

fantastic colour not a fan of snakes usually be he is quite cute.

Jayne said...

What a cool shade of green! Isn't there a Crayola called "Green Snake?" ;c)

Sarah Knight said...

Wow, that is wonderful & whimsical. Sounds like an utterly cool experience
: )

Kathy A. Johnson said...

He's also a beauty--what wonderful colors the snakes in your photos have had.

Roy said...

Neon green is right; that's some bright snake! And definitely a gorgeous critter.

Laure Ferlita said...

How about Neo or Eco?!! Such a lovely color!

He needs a cool name!

Louise said...

That is one beautiful snake. What fun to let him weave his body around your fingers!

Out on the prairie said...

Nice post Kelly, I will have to look up more to see their range.I've only sen them on PBS.Now this one looks easier to feel it is friendly, maybe it is the color appeal.

Carol Mattingly said...

I think this little green snake is my favorite one of all the ones you've posted. He is adorable. It looks like you had a fantastic time. Carol

Warren Baker said...

A real slinky little critter Kelly, so is the snake ! :-)

holdingmoments said...

Fantastic colour Kelly. A real beauty.

Janice K said...

That close-up of his head is really cool! He must really blend into the grass.

Elizabeth said...

What great photos! And what a beautiful snake - I love the color and your descriptions of him. I'm glad they are returning.

Montanagirl said...

Those are some terrific shots of the "green snake"...very aptly named I might add! He's really pretty cute.

Garden Lily said...

How about "Mr. Bean"? Ha ha. He is very cute, and a beautiful colour.

Valerie said...

I love the color! Green has always been one of my favorite colors. The snake looks so thin and agile - not that I wan tot touch it - the photos are just fine!!

Allison said...

Just read this post with James and he was giggling like CRAZY at the green snake!

Susan Ellis said...

I've never seen one before...love his smiling face

Elettra said...

great exsample , I would have your courage!!!!!!!!!!

The Zen Birdfeeder said...

Beautiful snake, though I'll let all the kids handle 'em!

Wanda..... said...

My grandchildren had a toy green snake, which looked so similar to the real thing here.

Gabrielle said...

Well, Green Snake is a beauty regardless of his basic name. Such an intense color! It is wonderful to see kids overcome an innate fear of snakes and replace it with wonder and admiration. The kingsnake from the previous post was beautiful, too. Will we have any snake paintings to look forward to?

Sorry it's been so long since I left you a comment. I've been lurking, though.

E said...

Great pics, Kelita, congrats, good information, many hugs

sebi_2569 said...

beautiful capture; congratulations

Chris said...

Again a beautiful snake and a beautiful post!

Anne McCormack said...

Gorgeous creature--he does seem to be smiling!

Michaela said...

Wow! I LOVE green, in any shade. This snakes color is so refreshing. Beautiful! :)

Mary said...

I don't normally care for snakes, but that one is a real cute and friendly looking one.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I actually love 'green snake'..he is quite cute and would go along well with our "Freddy the free loader". He is peaceful as well.
You guys had a nature-filled summer didn't you????

nina at Nature Remains. said...

I, too would love to come across a green snake.

oldcrow61 said...

Wonderful shots of the snakes. I really like reptiles and you've taken some fabulous pictures of them.

Gaina said...

What a beauty! Every now and again I come across one of 'those' animals that you just look in their face and know there's a sentient mind ticking away behind the eyes, but I've never seen it in a snake until now :).

Unknown said...

That's a fun snake. And just the right size.

myonlyphoto said...

Kelly I am glad that you can show us something else other than birds, lol, these snakes are amazing. I should send my sister over, as she breads them. These are stunning images, and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Anna :)

Kelly said...

...Green snake was such a love!! I can't wait until next year when we get to play with the snakes again. Thanks everyone for reading!

Anonymous said...

well if they are that rare then i should feel blessed cause one of them decided to stroll into my house yesterday and i live in North carolina

but it was an awesome little guy
we wanted to keep him as a pet
but we didnt want to take the chance of him not eating

and when we let him go i put him down on dirt

and when i did that he strolled into the grass and we were watching where he went and he had such good camo that he looked just like a blade of grass
me and my brother were trying to find him for maybe 15mins and we still couldnt find him again

Kelly said...

...how cool that you found one! Probably a good idea you let him go. His Camo is amazing in the grass...