Some of you may remember the story about the Tall Dark Stranger that was here when we got back from our trip to Canada. We were happy to see him because our flock was starting to become more than a little inbred.
Well he did his job and this writhing mass of (almost) feathers became six large black muscoveys. I can't say that he was as tame as the other ducks and this strain of wildness has had mixed results (mostly bad) in the lives of his youngsters. I can say that they had their share of grit.
This is the lone female in the six. As it turns out they have become large enough to reproduce. She has chosen a place that is very hard for an adult human to access. I placed tires around some of the support blocks under our home to prevent erosion. They proved effective but she has chosen to build a nest in one of those tires. This has proven to be less than effective as a nesting area from my point of view. Her mother is mothering 8 new ducks only six feet away in a very serviceable and safe nest.
If you are going to live "off the grid" you had better be able to take care of yourself. She has shown me a bunch of courage in the past 4 days.
If you are going to live "off the grid" you had better be able to take care of yourself. She has shown me a bunch of courage in the past 4 days.
Bob has lived on the end of this rope since developing a reputation as a neighborhood marauder. The first time our snake came to visit, Bob and Mama Duck let us know.
I climbed under the house, found the nest, and saw the snake. He was huge but I could not shoot him like I would have a raccoon. Too many other things to hit - electrical and such. After a summit conference, Sally and I decided to let Bob loose for the night. I also spread ceramic eggs around the nest.
We heard him barking and growling twice more that night so we think he was protecting her. Two days ago Bob alerted on a copperhead under the porch that I vaporized with my shotgun. He has been good if you ignore swimming in the pond. Very alert.
I figured the duck's chances were good so long as Bob continued to operate at this amazing level. If possible we are going to let him continue to be loose at night. If he starts bringing back shoes, tearing up swimming pools or chasing cars he goes back on the rope. He has been here each morning for three mornings straight, and I was about to write a story about him being our hero. Then, just today, the snake returned and I had to get involved again.
I climbed under the house, found the nest, and saw the snake. He was huge but I could not shoot him like I would have a raccoon. Too many other things to hit - electrical and such. After a summit conference, Sally and I decided to let Bob loose for the night. I also spread ceramic eggs around the nest.
We heard him barking and growling twice more that night so we think he was protecting her. Two days ago Bob alerted on a copperhead under the porch that I vaporized with my shotgun. He has been good if you ignore swimming in the pond. Very alert.
I figured the duck's chances were good so long as Bob continued to operate at this amazing level. If possible we are going to let him continue to be loose at night. If he starts bringing back shoes, tearing up swimming pools or chasing cars he goes back on the rope. He has been here each morning for three mornings straight, and I was about to write a story about him being our hero. Then, just today, the snake returned and I had to get involved again.
I was getting ready for a couple errands when we heard Mama Duck banging around. I crawled under the house with Bob beside me and could see the snake in the nest fighting with the duck.
The reason the snake is in two pieces is that is about the only way that I know to kill him. I beat a quick retreat to get something to cut him with and got right back. I pulled him from the nest and started beating him against the foundation. Bob, meanwhile stood right behind me barking away. I was happy for his support.
The reason the snake is in two pieces is that is about the only way that I know to kill him. I beat a quick retreat to get something to cut him with and got right back. I pulled him from the nest and started beating him against the foundation. Bob, meanwhile stood right behind me barking away. I was happy for his support.
By the way, there is a one foot section with head that is missing here but the two pieces that I have measure almost six feet. Right behind his head he was about the diameter of my wrist.That would be a seven foot snake now resting in our septic tank leach field. No grass thanks to the chickens, but he is indeed a snake in the mud.
I had looked for the knife I use to cut duct board but couldn't find it or my gloves. The first thing I could think of was my Black and Decker 18 volt cordless chainsaw. Sort of a (Grangerland) Texas chainsaw massacre. It made quick work of him but was a little clumsy to use under the house. Anything would have been clumsy laying prone with outstretched arms. Adult humans are not designed to go crawling around under houses - especially 70 year olds.
We used some of Sally's mama skills and dressed the results of that clumsiness. I knew we could get along without sutures if a doctor wasn't available.
We called the doctor and he said something about not really trusting my judgement and that I needed to come in. Actually, that was Sally who didn't trust my judgement so I did go in.
We called the doctor and he said something about not really trusting my judgement and that I needed to come in. Actually, that was Sally who didn't trust my judgement so I did go in.
This is Dr. Decker who has nothing to do with chainsaws so far as I know. Nor does he have a partner named Black. He does know about suture needles and now I have 5 stitches to go with this story. However, neither the chainsaw nor the stitches are the main story line. If I was successful there are two stories you should have gotten here.
The first story line is a dog who stayed on his post when needed.
The real story, however, is about the courage of a mama defending her young (eggs). I have known some brave men and always thought of myself as the protector of my family. For the past 15 years living on this farm I've seen very little male effectiveness at anything but making babies. The females are the ones who confront all odds when their young are in danger.
This little duck took on a 7-foot snake without asking for help or quarter. I hope there aren't any more. If there are, I expect Bob to be waiting for them.
The first story line is a dog who stayed on his post when needed.
The real story, however, is about the courage of a mama defending her young (eggs). I have known some brave men and always thought of myself as the protector of my family. For the past 15 years living on this farm I've seen very little male effectiveness at anything but making babies. The females are the ones who confront all odds when their young are in danger.
This little duck took on a 7-foot snake without asking for help or quarter. I hope there aren't any more. If there are, I expect Bob to be waiting for them.
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