jml297

I’ve lived in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney for over a decade, and have become accustomed to some quirks and challenges associated with living within and along the outskirts of a national park. One of my enduring joys is experiencing the change in seasons, and the unpredictability of the weather. In early spring, the days are changeable, and it is also a time of very high winds.

During the week, there had been wild winds which howled and hammered at anything in their path. After a day or so, it is difficult to bear, and music, podcasts and audiobooks are a welcome distraction. This Saturday, I was listening to an audiobook as I cooked some meals for the week ahead.

My dog, who is a fierce protector of the yard, was in the garden. I kept an eye out for him, as there is a spot near the kitchen door where he likes to sit. As I cooked, I glanced outside a couple of times to see him, but he wasn’t in his usual spot. I looked out a third time, thinking it was strange that I hadn’t heard him. And that’s when I saw the unexpected visitor.

On the doormat where the dog likes to sit in the sunshine was a snake. A black snake. Over a metre in length at a glance. I was stunned, blinking once, twice, taking it in. Then I ran up the hallway towards the laundry door, calling for the dog. Had he approached the snake? Had he been bitten? There hadn’t been any barking.

I yanked the door open, and there was my dog, looking at me as if to ask what took me so long. He came inside, and I checked him over, but he was fine. Back to the kitchen to see where the snake was. It was still there, on the doormat.

After a few minutes, I watched with relief as it slithered away, heading towards some shrubs along the fence line.

There was some online searching then to see what type of snake it could have been — was it venomous? Was it likely that there was more than one around? Initially, I thought it might be an eastern small-eyed snake, but an online forum advised otherwise. My unexpected visitor was a highlands copperhead, usually found at altitudes above 800 metres.

Unsurprisingly, I’ve been more aware of my immediate surroundings. Days of high winds leave much in the way of branches, sticks and shredded bark. Thankfully, there have been no further snake sightings, but I remain alert and mindful that part of the deal with living on nature’s doorstep is to expect the unexpected.

When was the last time you had an unexpected visitor?

Photo: Highland copperhead snake (Austrelaps ramsayi)