A very large meal-photos fixed

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Casey Lazik
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A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by Casey Lazik »

Yesterday I noticed a couple of birds fluttering in the grass on the hill in my backyard. I initially thought they were fighting and one might have been injured and hidden in the tall grass. Regretfully, I didn't take a closer look. I had to run out to the store and get some things for dinner. While at Costco, my wife called and told me our 6 year old son had found a garter snake eating a bird in the backyard. I told her to get the camera and take some shots but then I realized I left the camera in the car (with me). This was a garter snake eating a bird for crying out loud! When I came home my son directed me to the snake.

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There were other birds flying over head, some sitting in the trees nearby, and a couple were keeping a close eye on the snake, a Puget Sound Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii).

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Two of the birds came within a few feet of the snake as I took pictures. Based on the lump in the snake, I think it's possible the snake caught two birds this afternoon, or possibly another food item in addition to the bird. The birds would go up to the snake without fear.

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Often we see birds picking seeds and insects off the ground in the backyard. The snake no doubt caught the bird(s) when they got too close.

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It also looks like the snake sustained some injuries to its head and neck.

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The snake had a difficult time crawling away.

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Maybe a more typical meal?

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Casey
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Dman
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Dman »

Wow that is really cool Casey. Yeah to bad you didn't realize what was happening. That would be a video to have. Damon
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Casey Lazik
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Casey Lazik »

Dman wrote:... to bad you didn't realize what was happening.
:oops:

Thanks Damon. Yeah, these opportunities don't come around too often. For me, once in nearly 50 years!
Robert E Weaver
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Robert E Weaver »

Next time, catch it, palp it, and pickle it !
Richard F. Hoyer
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Richard F. Hoyer »

Casey:
Juncos make their nests on the ground. I suspect that the garter snake preyed upon one or two nestling Juncos.

Richard F. Hoyer
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Casey Lazik
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Casey Lazik »

Thanks Richard. I'm sure you're correct.
Robert- :lol:
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Indafield
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Indafield »

That's pretty cool, I had a Garter regurge a rabbits foot on me one time, blew me away.
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Joshua Wallace
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Joshua Wallace »

One of the most amazing posts ever! :thumb:
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Casey Lazik
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Casey Lazik »

Thanks Nate! That's amazing. :shock:
Thanks Joshua! Mighty nice of you. :beer: So have any of you guys been doing any herping?
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PNWHerper
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Re: A very large meal

Post by PNWHerper »

Casey, this is an AMAZING story and great set of photos to go with it!

I have never heard of garter snakes eating birds in our region. I agree with Richard's theory about this most likely being a nest predation situation. The multiple lumps in the belly, the close proximity of the adult bird and the bleeding wounds on the snakes head tell a story of a opportunistic snake chancing upon a nest full of plump baby juncos. No doubt the parent inflicted the wounds in a valiant effort to defend the chicks and send the snake packing.

I bet if you looked around very carefully within a few feet of the original site of the event you could find the junco's nest. They often blend in very well, at the base of a fern or dense shrub.

Give it a look and see if you can get a pic of the nest.
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Casey Lazik
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Re: A very large meal

Post by Casey Lazik »

Thanks PNWHerper!

I'll have another look on the hillside for remnants of the nest. It is quite overgrown now.
Welcome to the forum!

Casey
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Casey Lazik
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by Casey Lazik »

Suffering badly from spring fever, I thought I'd crawl out of my cave and have a look on the Forum. Going through the older posts, I noticed my photos weren't displaying properly, so I fixed them. The hillside where this took place is nearly a waterfall now with the recent rainfall :lol:
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AndyO'Connor
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by AndyO'Connor »

Casey, we should meet up some time soon! I think the garters should be out consistently soon, and I am surprised I haven't heard any chorus yet with the rain and temps we've had the last two weeks. Give me a shout some time.
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PNWHerper
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by PNWHerper »

Keep me in the loop. I would love to do some herpin' in western WA. My free time is scarce, but it could work out.

Thus far this year, seen and heard N. red-legged frogs calling. Where I work there are quite a few egg masses already. Have only heard a single, rather subdued group of P. Chorus frogs chorusing on a warm, sunny day next to a small pond. Found 1 dead W. long-toed salamander in the same pond. Also have seen tracks of western toads, red-leggeds and Rough-skinned newts.

No snakes yet, so far.
Robert E Weaver
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by Robert E Weaver »

Went to see Motorhead and Megadeth in Kent on Tuesday, caught some Hyla (yeah, I said Hyla!) next to the venue....then I spilled my $8 beer!

Anyway, Andy and Josh I sent you guess a FB message.

Casey I am sending you a PM for some photo requests.

Weaver
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Casey Lazik
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by Casey Lazik »

Gentlemen,

This sounds good. Let's make it happen. I want to show there are zonata in Kittitas County. Note: That is Kittitas, not Klickitat County. ;)

Casey
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AndyO'Connor
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by AndyO'Connor »

Casey, sounds good, we've only got a month or so...

Robert, I replied to your FB message, shouldn't be a problem.
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yolodave
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by yolodave »

Kind of early for Juncos to be nesting, much less have young in the nest. That probably happens in April.

Dave
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Casey Lazik
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by Casey Lazik »

June 13, 2011 to be exact. :lol:
The date of the post is on the upper right side. 8-)
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yolodave
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by yolodave »

Got it! Thanks, sorry for not noticing. Hope this rain brings out the critters for you all.

Dave
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Casey Lazik
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Re: A very large meal-photos fixed

Post by Casey Lazik »

8-)
Yes, it's been a long, cold winter here!
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