View Full Version : Look what I found while I was servicing my mower
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1705/26287072446_1e982c3747_z_d.jpg
:eek:
Ali Tait
08-04-2016, 19:47
Bet it was more scared than you..
Audio Advent
08-04-2016, 19:50
Awww... curling up to sleep somewhere no doubt. How sweet.
It was in the grass collection box - nice and dark and quiet.
Until I started the mower up to drive it out of the garage.
It's now "running" free in the garden, but was not too happy about me disturbing it.
Bet it was more scared than you..
that snake dont scare me....... its in France ;)
brian2957
08-04-2016, 19:59
I'd have jumped oota ma skin mate :eek:
It's a non-venomous grass snake.
They have a nasty bite, but it won't kill you.
It still scared the s*** out of me when I saw it drop at my feet. :eek:
brian2957
08-04-2016, 20:11
Did you know it was non venomous when it fell at your feet mate because I wouldn't have :)
walpurgis
08-04-2016, 20:11
I think that may be a Whip Snake.
A quick look at it's tail is all you need - long and thin and you are ok...
People say to look at the eyes, but I tend to stay away from that end as much as possible.
It's known as a "couleuvre" - which basically translates as grass snake. A quick google also shows it's known as a western whip snake. :thumbsup:
I had some cables like that once.
walpurgis
08-04-2016, 20:34
It's known as a "couleuvre" - which basically translates as grass snake. A quick google also shows it's known as a western whip snake. :thumbsup:
Yeah. It's not going to hurt anybody.
Plenty of Adders/Vipers about in the French countryside though. I spent a lot of time there as a kid and remember being told to look out for them. Never did see one.
This is not the first one I have seen - up close.
This was just a "nipper" :) compared to the last one I found while tidying up some paving slabs....
They can move quite quickly. :eek:
"I've had it with this mother f*cking snake in this mother f*cking grass collection box..." :D
xSBbwtZ2ae8
:lol:
They are actually a protected species.
The Mrs no longer needs to be told/reminded to close the garage door when she uses it.
archiesdad
09-04-2016, 18:34
Looked like the cord used for some petrol mowers at first glance, how wrong could I have been there.
Audio Al
09-04-2016, 19:50
Is it a calculator snake ?
I thought you were saying you had found some sort of interconnect while cleaning out the garage. Then my eyes adjusted and I saw what it was.
Cool.
Oldpinkman
09-04-2016, 21:11
You need chickens. Apparently they keep them away. A neighbour (80) had a "huge" viper on her veranda the other day. So maybe we'll get chickens.
Apparently though, the snakes are the least of our worries. It's the processional caterpillars we have to watch out for
Oldpinkman
09-04-2016, 21:14
http://https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_processionary#Anti-predator_defence
http://https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_processionary#Anti-predator_defence
'This Page Can't Be Displayed'
How horrible is it that they can't even show it on the internet?
Or is that what your internet will say when the caterpillars have eaten through the cables? Will it be a bit like that film, with the ants, Phase 3 ? ;)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_processionary
Nasty little things - if you touch them....
You need chickens. Apparently they keep them away. A neighbour (80) had a "huge" viper on her veranda the other day. So maybe we'll get chickens.
Apparently though, the snakes are the least of our worries. It's the processional caterpillars we have to watch out for
I'm not keeping chickens in my garage. ;)
'The pine processionary caterpillar is responsible for most of the defoliation of southern Europe'
Interesting. I've not been to Southern Europe in a while but it seemed pretty foliated to me.
Imagine what it would be like if it was not for the caterpillars!
StanleyB
09-04-2016, 23:22
I was taking care of things like that in the Amazon before I was even ten.
http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/watooka1.jpg
Oldpinkman
10-04-2016, 06:35
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_processionary
Nasty little things - if you touch them....
Thanks for sorting the link Kevin. Nasty little buggers - we saw 2 nests while out on a walk last week. We have to be really careful with the dogs.
And watch for snakes when swimming in the lakes. And snakes in the pool.
I may stay indoors and listen to music :eek:
It's the little snakes you have to be careful of.
Thanks for sorting the link Kevin. Nasty little buggers - we saw 2 nests while out on a walk last week. We have to be really careful with the dogs.
And watch for snakes when swimming in the lakes. And snakes in the pool.
I may stay indoors and listen to music :eek:
We we had a pine tree full of those catapillers and snakes in our garden , owls sitting calling in the tree outside the bedroom window nearly every night, bats living in the attic , loads of birds ( the feathered kind) wildlife is very good in rural France
Yes, it is. Often see birds of prey circling overhead.
Thursday night there was a stag in the garden.
Fantastic stuff, but I can tell you that the snake made me jump. I just wasn't expecting it to be there.
Oldpinkman
10-04-2016, 17:25
We have had a stag in the garden before we fenced. And a herd of wild boar galloping across the plain "Pumba" style. And eagles, buzzards and vultures circling overhead. So the wild life has its merits
And then there's the view out of the French windows, between the speakers
http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_5749%20Medium_zpsr8gehopg.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_5749%20Medium_zpsr8gehopg.jpg.html)
The Stag is a lovely car but if someone parked one on my lawn I'd be less than happy.
That's rural France for you though, jam full of vintage Triumph owners.
Very nice, Richard. Is that you moved over now? Sorry, I haven't been following things closely.
Marco.
Oldpinkman
10-04-2016, 18:17
Very nice, Richard. Is that you moved over now? Sorry, I haven't been following things closely.
Marco.
Almost. We have just spent a fortnight out there getting essentials like broadband and a lawnmower organised, and a job for Sue (really chuffed!). We exchanged contracts on the sale of our UK house last week - completion set for 17 June because the buyer was pressuring me and I was unable to get hold of our removal company. In fact we have now booked the removal for 16 May. We then have Sue's brother and wife visiting first 2 weeks of June, and various building projects going on through June, july and September (garden office, pool, garage, and an extension with a laundry room and "degagement" - a space Sue can put her piano in
So finally made it - but not unpacked until the last week of May.
That restaurant I mentioned to you has shut - I think the chef's health will be the reason. But if you are passing the Eastern Pyrenees you are still welcome to drop in
:cool:
Nice one, Richard. I'll certainly take you up on that. All the best with the move when it happens. Hope it all goes smoothly, and I wish Sue and you many healthy and happy years in La Belle France! :cool:
Marco.
Audio Advent
10-04-2016, 21:18
I was taking care of things like that in the Amazon before I was even ten.
http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/watooka1.jpg
That one looks a little dead... The one of this thread is a proctected species.
I'm guessing Stan killed it - hence they took the photo
Nice one, Richard. I'll certainly take you up on that. All the best with the move when it happens. Hope it all goes smoothly, and I wish Sue and you many healthy and happy years in La Belle France! :cool:
Marco.
+1 to this btw
hifi_dave
25-05-2016, 16:26
Purely by chance, I was tipping some kitchen waste on one of the compost heaps, when a spotted a snake. Now, I know little about these creatures but it looked like an Adder to me. It didn't do a lot, just tried to hide in amongst the grass cuttings.
I came in, did a bit of Forum trawling and spotted this thread.
Are Adders poisonous or do they just give you a nasty nip ?
poisonous Dave... they usually dont bite though unless they have to... without treatment it could potentially be fatal, but no-one has died of it for some considerable years ..
Firebottle
05-07-2016, 09:23
Found on the garage wall yesterday:
http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050549.jpg
I love watching dragonflies on the wing, magical creatures.
I think it was actually trying to switch over the external speakers :eyebrows:
http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050551.jpg
Nice one, Alan. I like random pictures like that :)
Marco.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.