{Southern Ringneck Snake}

On April 12, just after midnight, one of our felines did come into the home with a little snake. I've never had the chance to hold one in my hands and I even managed to take some photos from it. Using only my right hand and since the camera is most of the time connected to its tripod, I held the short handle in my mouth to stabilize... You CANNOT put a live snakey down for adjusting your camera. But, the shots are not too bad so you get to see it too. Of course, after the glamour shots were made; I released it near the creek! I could hear it whisper: 'Thank you ever so much!'... It made me sleep with a clear conscious once again. Oh, by the way, I did touch it with my bare hand and it feels rather silky, not slimy at all! Next day I did my research after I uploaded the photos and looked it up in our Reptile book. A Southern Ringneck Snake it said and it was about 10" or 25 cm long. Obviously it had had a good supper as there was a bulging half way... Enjoy the photos below:

The paper towel is BOUNTY...

Beautiful markings and its eyes open all the time...

No it is not a viper, not dangerous but I didn't know it at the time I held it.

Big eyes...

You clearly can see the ring around its neck; hence its name - Southern Ringneck Snake...

A Day Made of Glass... Made possible by Corning.

Most of you for sure do know Corning for use in our kitchens. Usually, Corning is behind the scenes providing innovated technology unknown to most casual observers. For example most people are unaware that Corning's "Gorilla Glass" is the glass surface in the iPhone, iTouch, iPad and most other smart phones using a touch glass surface. Watch "A Day Made of Glass" and take a look at Corning's vision for the future with specialty glass at the heart of it. See also the amazing video below this photo! It gives a glimpse into the future of what is likely to be routine in our lives in the not too distant future. It is absolutely fascinating. Most of this stuff is already reality, just not yet pervasive.

{Japanese Styrax Obassia - Fragrant Snowbell}

Around mid April our Styrax Obassia, Fragrant Snowbell, is putting on quite a show. This native from Japan is such a gem and is available at Woodlanders. We feel fortunate to have such a beauty in our wood garden. No flowers last for weeks on end, but it is worth it for the time that they do! Join me for a Garden Tour.

The Styrax Obassia in our wood garden.

Blue sky in April...

Hope you enjoyed our Japanese gem!

This is how they look one month later!