Snakes on the move

 

 

Spring is the time for the annual "snake migration" in Illinois. 

In the spring, snakes go traveling, on a quest in Southern Illinois The Forest Services says that short stretch of road offers the chance to see a diverse array of not only snakes, but other reptile and amphibian species. “About 66 percent of the amphibians and 59 percent of the reptiles known to occur in Illinois are found here,” the Forest Service says of snake road during the migration.

Science is amazing, life is amazing. God, who created them all and set things in motion, is beyond amazing.

smlagrange.wordpress.com

 

Snake migrating: A yearly gathering in Southern Illinois

Common names of some of the species you might encounter on or near Snake Road include:

Spiny Softshell

Northern Red-Bellied Snake

Spotted Salamander

Chorus Frog

Slimy Salamander

Broadheaded Skink

Eastern Hognose Snake

Red Milk Snake

Midland Water Snake

Western Ribbon Snake

 

The list above is a partial listing of snakes in Illinois. It is estimated that 70% of American snakes live there. 

Notice that lizards and turtles are there as well, to snack on the baby snakes. Also, they would be lunch for snakes. 

My son is an entomologist who did his graduate work at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. One event he arranged for undergrads was to take them to view the "Annual Snake Migration in Southern Illinois".  

I had never heard of the migration, thought it was something made-up. He described this with great enthusiasm and their one overnight campout went without any mishaps. 

He spoke of making another trip where hunters nailed dead squirrels on to  trees in this forest. This is now considered to be an urban myth, thankfully.

 

Southern Illinois is the top place for migrating snakes

to hook with its species.

 about 1+ min. long

 

 

about 2 minutes long

 

Many many sites are about the annual Snake Migration in Illinois, which quite an event.  Tourists travel to observe this! Would you?

 Any amazing % of the American snakes live in Illinois.

 

For anyone wanting to finding out about this can

go to: Snake in Illlinois 

Bad Movies: Gotta love 'em

source

Three months have passed and good entertainment is limited.  BUT, there are still movies few have seen.  The worst film titles with their movies are worth a giggle. And Lord knows that we all need to have some of a chuckle, giggle, or wonder.

Saving the World

My husband is veritable encyclopedia of awful movies with their awful titles. When we trolled through his knowledge, I discovered a treasure trove of really bad movies.

Warrior Nun
Strives to kill.
She came from where
She is Surrounded by Death.

Hardcore Henry
Fighting AKAN
Alive but dead
Finding his way home.

Thong Girl
Battling a villain
vs. Xalta
Where to destroy?
In Outer Space.

Snakes 
Seeking food
On a plane.
Who dies?
Who wins?

I actually loved
this. Samuel L. 
Jackson

Birdemic
Shock and terror
Cringe and gasp
It is what it is.

The Constant Gardener
Seeks with shears,
Sun goes down,
No one is safe.

Look and you will find them, sadly, but grab some popcorn, beer, and lots of wine. Darkness will fall, life goes on. Good or bad movies, they are all the same. Give your mind a rest.

T is for...Tattoo

My mother when she was in high school

A few years ago, my 80+ year-old mother and I were sitting in her living room.  I was ‘home’ visiting and our conversations ranged wide and far. 

“I’ve always wanted a tattoo,” my mother said.  (Note: this is from a frail woman, church goer, pie-baker, farm wife).

“Ooooo…kaaaay,” I answered, not sure where she was going with this.  Sometimes Mom would say the most interesting things, and other times we talked about family and gossip.  “What kind of tattoo would you like?”

She chuckled.  “I’d like a….snake!  And I’d have it right here!”  She raised a pant leg, and pointed to just above her knee. 

One of many snake tattoo options

Our conversation continued, and then moved on.  I thought she had put the topic away.

A few days later we shopping and stopped to gas up the car.  

 One of the employees saw us ‘old women’ (I am not that old.) and helped us.  He talked with my mother through the window.  She noticed the tattoes that ran the length of both arms. 

“Where’d you get those done?”  She asked.

He blinked a little, told her a friend did them.  He was a younger, thinner “Larry the Cable Guy”.

I love this Larry guy; he makes me laugh....

“Can you give us his phone number?  I’d like to get a tattoo.”

He blinked a lot, looking at this 80+ yr. old woman.  “Why, sure, M’am.  What tattoo would you like?”

So she told him: a snake, right her above her knee.  When she was young, boys were always trying to reach up her skirt, and she thought it would be funny if she had a snake there.  To scare those frisky boys.

The young man blinked a lot, bit his lip, and nodded, “I’ll get you that number.”

He gave the phone number to me without a word.