Refuge

Not quite here rain

October 5, 2019

The other night there was the threat of rain. Storms were on the radar but nothing fell here. The nearest rain of any kind was at least 5km away from us.

Apparently that was close enough to spook some of the local wildlife into wanting shelter and we were it. A snake in the kitchen, several huntsmen the size of bread plates in the lounge and work areas and four frogs in the bathroom resulted. Really guys? Though to be fair, frogs in the bathroom isn't uncommon - there's usually an eviction every couple of nights.

The snake was a tree python which is harmless but generally impossible to catch as they are whip fast and climb anything. Fortunately this one had stranded itself in the middle of the kitchen floor under a chair. The surface was just too slippery for it to move at anything near its usual speed and that allowed us to drop a crate over it. That was slid to, and out, the back door. When the python sat looking at us a gentle shove with a soft mop sent it on its way.

The frogs were netted and dropped outside after it. Unfortunately for the huntsmen our days of respectfully capturing them and escorting them out are long past. They were hit with a fly swatter and their stunned (or dead) bodies flung out unceremoniously. They have a gazillion relatives waiting to take their place.

All that for a hint of rain in the distance. God help us if we ever actually have rain fall here again!