I was strimming the banks of the east pond the other day and disturbed a young grass snake (Natrix natrix). Angrily, he reared up at me like a king cobra; would have been pretty damn scary too – if he’d been any bigger than six inches long. Fearless little chap. A little later I came across a bigger grass snake; he was about twelve foot long and as thick as my thigh. OK, OK I exaggerate. He was about 18 inches long and as thick as my finger. I’ve seen him several times over the summer, though sadly never when I’ve had my camera with me.
Until yesterday. He was sunning himself in the morning sunshine and still very sluggish as he warmed his ‘cold’ blood and geared himself up for the day.
As long as I moved slowly, he didn’t seem too concerned by my presence.
I was able to creep up really close, easily within touching distance, and …
… so close that you can see my reflection in his eye.
I’m so very pleased to have a healthy grass snake population at the Priory except, except, except …
… they eat my lovely frogs and my lovely toads.
Wish they just ate, like grass.
Weekend Reflections
