On my regular walks with the dog I spotted something in the distance, a shiny black and I know from painting that black is not a color normally seen in nature. There was a sizable snake sitting on a vining branch. I took a photo and on the right side can be seen the green poles that represent the edge of my property. At first I thought a predator waiting on the boarder for the unsettled wildlife my work creates seemed fitting. The thorny brier I cut down is only a menace to me, for a creature like my dog he weaves through effortlessly and for something even smaller like a groundhog or mouse the thorns offer layers of protection. When the brush is cleared the sanctuaries are exposed and they must go somewhere they won’t be disturbed. Looking up the snake it appears to be a black racer, not venomous and a protected species in my area. They are also more likely to flee so I’ll welcome the snake pal. The new house has offered many new animal friends and I wanted to share the photos I took of them over the next couple days. The other thought I had on the brush was that it is important, as are the younger trees, I’ve removed something from the ecosystem and I have to replace a new species of brushes and vines, or the soil will erode and the sun burn plants accustomed to more shade. The new brush will be without thorns is all. Possibly with edible fruit, usually I like to have an edible area and a aesthetic shade area, there are many options and I’m not rushing to do any of that soon. The shade plants and the nurseries will reveal themselves.
Chris' Morning Pages 