Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Trauma in the Nest.....

FAIR WARNING:  This post is disturbing and not for the faint of heart or the squeamish....If you fall into either of these, or any similar such, categories, I will understand and forgive (and, in fact, ENCOURAGE) your declining to read on.....It has nothing whatsoever to do with prim decor, giveaways, gifts, rug hooking, or anything even remotely fun.

Today, this Crow is not only cranky, she's traumatized.....

But let's start at the beginning.....

This is the little tree that graces the front entrance to the Crows' humble abode:


Note little porch area where TheCrankyCrow often sits used to sit to enjoy snippets of her day and the oh-so-rare warm Nod sunshine.....

Well, one day....yesterday, to be precise..., TheCrankyCrow went out to her favorite perch with The Snow Dog in tow....


Snow Dog immediately lunged at a lump of something on the sidewalk...Upon closer inspection, TheCrankyCrow realized the "lump of something" was actually a little fledgling bird.....So, TheCrankyCrow quickly (well as fast as a crow can manhandle a 60 pound Siberian) corralled The Snow Dog back indoors and then returned to her perch to ponder how this little birdie could have landed in the middle of a sidewalk in Nod....It was far too young to fly, and the Crow had no real idea from whence it had come, or what she should do about this "predicament."  After all, she couldn't keep The Snow Dog locked in the house until the bird learned to fly - he was already trying to break out of hold to get back to the fun lump on the sidewalk.

As The Crow pondered, she noticed birds chattering in the little tree that stood about 3 feet away from her and graces the entrance to the Crows' humble abode.....And, that's when she saw "IT....."



Look closer, if you dare....(Disclaimer....this has likely scarred The Crow for life....She will not be responsible for any temporary or permanent damage you may sustain now or in future nightmares....):


No, this was not the little bird that was posing as a dog toy on the sidewalk.  Said bird/lump was still in the middle of the sidewalk as I jumped up screaming like a wild banshee.....(Have I mentioned this crow DOES NOT like snakes??!!! For reference, see my prior post on this issue..... And this snake was hanging from a tree!!!)

The story, unfortunately, cannot and does not have a happy ending.  Suffice it to say that it involved Only (my dear "only" son), a handgun, and a hysterical crow.....And to my knowledge, the little tree that graces the front entrance to the Crows' humble abode is now home to a well-fed snake, but no more little birdies....

I'm off to my therapy appointment....

34 comments:

Traci~Moon Gypsy said...

Holy smokes... Poor birdies but alas that is nature and it must take it's course. JUST not next to Robin's little porch where she sits and ponders!

Thank goodness the snake wanted baby birds and not a "crow"

Hugs,
Traci

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

No~NO~~~ Yikes hate snakes~ yep~ I am screaming~ Shoot the Snake~ and you know I love animals~ but shoot the snake(LOL) Yikes & at your door~ LOL YIKES~ poor poor birdies~ so sad~ cryin!!!

Yes, atleast you, your beautiful snowdog, and your son survived~ but get rid of the snake~ ok~ I think you got the hint~ LOL~I am scared to death of them~ we don't have them in our area only small gardeners~
Okay I know need therapy for you!!

Hug to you~did I mention the snake is really ugly!
Teresa

Anonymous said...

Holy snakes! That looks like the one my hubs brought in the kitchen a few weeks ago as a surprise for me. It was about 4 feet long and there he stood holding it like I was going to scream or something. NOT! I made him take it back to where he found it. He won't let you kill any snakes. But he must remember, I have guns and ammo and know how to use them. Poor little birdies, didn't have a chance. Earlier this spring I nursed some baby black birds in our shed that had fallen from the nest until they could fly.
My hubs hates birds and thought I was silly at feeding them, he says feed them to the dog. But the mamma found them where I nested them and between me and her they survived. Hope there aren't more snakes near your tree. Check the tree trunk for a hole in the ground. They will make a home in there. I find them down in the woods all the time near tree trunks.
You might want your son to check for you. If not I'll send my hubs to corral them up for you.
Keep your eyes open.
Tamera
Country at heart

bettyj said...

Sorry you are traumatized! I do love the snow dog. My sister in law has a white one. They are sweeties. In my front yard several mockingbirds have built their nests and traumatize my cat and dog as well as myself when we are in the yard. I guess you call this country living!
Hope you recover quickly!
betty

BumbleBeeLane said...

Omg girl! I would have been froze in place and screaming my head off.Yep kill the snakes and spiders..Yuck..Yikes..Ahhhhh...Hate them! I'd be screaming for hubby,of course he would laugh and tell me how silly I'm being but he would kill it..smile..So glad the snake didn't eat you too he's a big sucker..Did I say Yuck..eewww...I would have certainly missed you..Now sit down and look at lots of pretty pictures to get it out of your mind.Hugs!~Amy

Unknown said...

I cannot stop laughing...sorry. Did your son blow that hole in the tree? Sorry....banshie eh? Oh gosh darn I am sorry you got so scared and to think you sitting there on your stoop with ah snake sizing you up just feet away! Next time you sit on that there stoop you best be packin heat eh? (LOL...sorry again)

~Madalynne~ said...

OMG that would have completely freaked me out!!!! How will you ever look at that tree again without thinking of that nasty thing?! My therapy would be cutting that tree down!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Well, I'm not afraid of snakes but I am easily startled. I do not recognize that snake. I have to agree with some of the other comments---that tree would have to go, if it were at my house! Birds can be grossly dirty, but they don't deserve to be paralyzed and swallowed whole!
Was there actually shooting involved?
You know, snakes are just another one of God's creature. They are curious and can be predatory but they serve a purpose. They help control the vermin and insect population and birds can be as bad as vermin. I don't know. I couldn't kill it unless it was threatening the life or health of one of my pets or children.
Sorry not to agree with the killing as a removal method.
I hope you don't think I am a weirdo or nut case.......
★Linda★

renee said...

Oh girl! I would have not known what to do! I don't like snakes at all! I would have wanted to save the birdie!
I am sorry you had to see that, I know it's nature, but I still don't like it!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I am sure your heart skipped SEVERAL beats!
I hope that you will have a better night.
Hugs,
Renee

Farmhouse prims said...

Oh the poor little birds. I hate snakes, the only good snake is a dead snake. Lecia

Sheila said...

OOOooooh! I'm so creaped out! I HATE snakes. Don't like to use that word but in this case I mean it! I would have crapped my chaps if that happened on my front porch. My heart is pounding just thinking of it.
Dear Linda, you have a huge heart! I know they serve a purpose but far, far away from the front door to one's house!
or in the house for that matter.
Ok, you warned us but I had to read anyway. On to find something to take my mind off your "trauma!"

Lil Raggedy Angie said...

I wondered where you were yesterday , now I know . Im tough but I SO DONT LIKE SNAKES! Id be cutting that tree down in a big hurry uhhhh huh no snakes for me Im just glad he wasnt looking for crow. Stay safe and sane ! hugs lil raggedy angie

oldecrow said...

Eeeeeewwwwwww! Yuk! I can't stand snakes! I actually would have passed out right there beside the little birdie!I'd probably use a different door from now on to take out the dog too! lol
Take care,
Wanda

Carol Stuck said...

I don't even know how to address this problem cause I won't be sympathetic to the snake. Ugh......I know there is a purpose for their existance, but for some reason, at this very moment, it escapes me. I think it is time to call in the shaman or rid yourself of your prized halloween possession....maybe Mom knows best. This is really creeping me out. I am so sorry for you. Maybe a good exterminator would do the trick. Are there such things as snake exterminators? Or...you are welcome to come for a visit and stay all summer:) You could return home when the weather gets cold...ha!

I am glad your son is a brave soul and can protect you and the wild life from the OTHER wild life.

hugs,
Carol

Anonymous said...

Yikes....me no likey snakes...poor little bird..
Blessings,
~Ronda

prims by olde lady morgan said...

HATE SNAKES HATE SNAKES!!!! I did not see that coming.... Did we piss you off some how???LOL??? Now I need therapy!!! where do i send the bill??? LOL.... I don't think I can say in blog what I would of done in my pants! OLM

Rachel said...

OMG! I think I'd have to find another way to come in/out of the house & somewhere else to ponder the day!

Primitive Echoes said...

When my son was about 5 he had a pet python, it was about the size of a smaller rolling pin, and about 6 feet long. Watching a snake eat small mice was a norm. However I wouldn't have wanted to see it eat a bird. Yuck. My brother bought a snake from the pet store and it laid eggs. He kept them under a heat lamp until they hatched and then gave one of the six babies to my son.
All gone now though. :o)
Kat

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

Snakes and I are not friends...no way, no how. Now that I'm officially in the country, I'm going to have to take my hubby up on some shooting lessons! Course, I'd have to stop jumping around like a banshee and try to aim properly which is unlikely to happen if I'm faced with a snake...so...

When we pulled up to the house on the first day, the movers informed me that they found a baby snake in the driveway near the front door. Where there's babies...there's Momma. Been on the lookout ever since.

That picture was way too nightmarish...think Grade B horror! Time for a pet hawk in that tree!
Hugs,
Courtney

My Colonial Home said...

Oh how sad....I guess the snake was only doing what snakes in nature do but I DON'T LIKE THAT! I know it's what happens but gosh...the poor birds. I wonder how many more he got!
Sorry you had to see it but glad you found out there was a snake there.

Karen

Unknown said...

Well, everyone and everything has got to eat...
I just 'rescued' a black snake off of my pool deck (inside the pool caging) the other day and then yesterday fished out a small rat snake from the pool, which is what your snake looked like. Neither was very happy with my interference but if my husband had found them, they'd have like it even less! Sorry you've been scarred!!

Barb said...

Robin,
I am amazed you had the presents of mind to take photos. It was intriguing to see and sad but I guess nature at work! I am not a big snake fan so my hat is off to you to have survived the whole thing.
Enjoy your day!?!
Barb

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Oh my gosh girlfriend ~ I'd be freaking out too! I'm telling ya you should call Billy the Exterminator! That poor little bird ~ Thanks God it wasn't a Robin!!!
Enjoy your day!
Prim Blessings
Robin

Me and My Stitches said...

OMG - that is just soooo wrong!! Did I understand correctly...the snake lives??? IT MUST DIE! YIKES! Hate snakes!!

Wendy @ Ravenwood Whimzies said...

How sad - but a fact of life I am afraid. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so kind-hearted...even a little birdie lost is so sad....

Beckyjean said...

Yuck!! I hate snakes!! I know you warned us but I didn't think it would be that bad!!! I am SOOO grossed out & I need to make dinner. I think we may be going out tonight!!

Becky

Kim said...

Eeeeeek!! I would totally cut that tree down. I have creepy skin just looking at that gross snake hanging there. Ewwwww!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Robin ~
Sorry, but I can't stop laughing. Now I would not like to have seen that snake with the birdie treat, but you do remember that I posted those cute pictures of mama snake and her baby and traumatized half of blogland?
I hope the therapy is working and not just on the snake issue...teehee :)
Hugs :)
Lauren

Laura Rhodes said...

You handled it pretty well..I don't like dealing with birds being attacked or killed and I have to keep an eye on my two cats for them trying to get to birds and other varmits. If it's any consolation,one of my cats tried to get a little bluejay and it's parents were making a lot of noise and divebombing Graylin and got rid of her and the baby bluejay got away to my knowledge..A friend of mine found a fake snake on the side of the road and left it on the front of my side door and I about had an attack. I got rid of that thing. Do not like snakes either. Hope you are doing better. Laura

The Civil War Quilter said...

Great! Now I have the nervous itchies all over and I'm sure to have nightmares tonight. I know, I know, you gave fair warning, but I'm too curious (nosy) to not go ahead and read it. Dare I ask what kind of snake that was? Not that it matters, as any live snake is a killer to me!

Vicki said...

OMG! I'm assuming that was a rattle snake? Whoa...not pretty. Thank goodness you and the dog are okay at the very least. We are having a time with water mocassins at our place. I live in a newer subdivision but we are out in the country a bit. Nothing like seeing a giant nasty one sunning on my paver driver. Crazy. They are so darn mean. Wish I had a handgun. My husband and I have to kill them with shovels. We are nervous about dogs and kids. Ugh!

primitivebettys said...

Oh no! I think I need to edit my post from earlier today! This snake would have made me scream too! Last summer I did have to whack one because I thought it was being too aggressive towards one of our cats. I am sorry you had to deal with this one.

Tolentreasures said...

Wow!!! Only difference here...I would not have waited for the son and the handgun, don't have the former, but know how to work the latter! Wow! Therapy for sure!

Cathy

Kimberly said...

I don't know if I would have left the tree standing! I HATE SNAKES TOO!!!!!!!! But Iam good with my Colt 45 :) It would be fun target practice! My Best ~Kimberly