On second look, though, I realized the boots weren't needed to protect me, for this li'l critter was of no danger at all. It was a harmless garden/garter snake, or such. And don't be deceived by the photo; it's misleading; this tiny thing was not even as big around as my little finger and no more than 6-8 inches in length. I actually felt bad that I had disturbed him because he had apparently burrowed in for a long winter's nap. And as you can see, he was a little miffed at me and showed a wee bit of anger at being woke up.
Dont mess with me.......HISSSSSSSS!
But us being the nature and animal lovers we are, we took no offense at his umbrage. We managed to capture him in a jar and released him in the surrounding woods, where he scurried off in a heartbeat to seek new shelter. And who knows? We may see him again come spring. He will, however, not be a baby then, so I sure hope he doesn't decide to get even with us for displacing him from his comfortable nest.
