Ophidiophobia? Stop Reading Now!

Yesterday was another of those stunningly knock your eyes out down to your soul beautiful days. It was also really hot. I drink a lot of water these days, as does everyone I know...we sort of float through the heat, encountering each other with air kisses because of our sweaty cheeks, muttering mucho calor! The beauty carries us through. We know coolness is coming, along with what might be an La Nina winter. The nice part is, we can always look up and see it...if we wipe the sweat out of our eyes. We can jump right into it, cooling ourselves in the best way I know.

Mount St. Thomas, so close and so far away

After working in the early part of the day (and showering yet again, then spending some serious time sitting in front of the fan), I was heading over to Genesis, my neighborhood food store, to pick up something that ended up not being there - not surprising as delivery day from the big island is today - when I glanced at the afternoon sky over my shoulder. While not dramatic, it was filled with streaks of color, some almost looking green. I had a decision; walk back down through my yard to where there was less obstructing foliage, or try to get higher from the road side, see if I could get a decent shot and get to the store before it closed. I chose lazy. 

Next decision. There was the old foundation of a house to climb on to get a better horizon.  I took this shot, and  didn't really like it. Go on or give up? Oh come on, you know what I did.

The streaks were so panoramic, I just wasn't getting it. Then I saw an old cistern that would give me a broader view if I just stood on the edge of it. I stepped onto it carefully, as it was open, old, and filled with nasty water, old junk and...a snake. Ok, not FILLED with a snake, Since the biggest snake I'd ever seen on Culebra until then was about five inches long (I've seen lizards bigger), it just looked like a big snake at the first moment.

Senor Culebra

I could tell it wanted out, headed up the wall. But I wasn't really worried, because it also wasn't moving. At all. And it was too pretty not to take a few shots, which I did, forgetting completely about any sky photos. It kept not moving, I kept on clicking. Not wanting to press my luck, I bid it buenos tardes and continued on my quest.

I've not seen many snakes on Culebra, in fact there are only four kinds in all of Puerto Rico (and not all of them are everywhere, for example, one kind is only found on Vieques) and many people never see one at all. If you are interested in the snakes of PR. here is a basic article about them. I'm not knowledgeable enough to recognize this particular snake, just guessing it's a Puerto Rican Racer, but someone out there is and I'd love to know its name?

Have a non-timid Tuesday! Do something tantalizing.