Rattlesnake!

Sunday night we killed our first rattlesnake at our place.  We have lived here 4 1/2 years and have never seen a rattlesnake, I liked it that way.  

Sunday evening Steve and Allyson were in the orchard checking our plum tree, Eva and I were on the lawn.  Suddenly we heard a really loud buzzing, one of our many cats, Pepper, had cornered a snake down by the road.  Steve ran into the house to get his gun and I got the shovel (my preferred method of killing snakes).  The long and short of it was that Steve shot the snake in half and then chopped off its head.  I am not a fan of snakes at all, but I particularly dislike rattlesnakes for obvious reasons. 

This was a big guy, he was 3+ft long and really thick.

A closer look at the rattles, which we kept per tradition.

It was a good reminder for all of us to be extra careful looking for snakes.  I am sad that rattlesnakes do indeed come around our house (not that I am all that surprised) but at least this one didn't get away!  Growing up in the country I am used to watching out for and killing rattlesnakes, but I am glad Steve was home so I didn't have to.

I guess our cats can be useful after all!

We have been talking a lot about snakes since Sunday night.  We have always had rules about not playing in the tall grass or bushes (for this very reason) and now Allyson is extra careful.  Monday night she was telling Steve how she and Papa Comstock saw a king snake one time and she said "we saw a snake, it was a king snake but I didn't see his crown."  Steve and I just about died laughing. Steve tried to explain that they don't wear crowns even though they are king snakes.  I love that girl.