I was sitting on my deck photographing the birds in my garden when I heard a Blue Jay calling out loudly. It was perched in one of the nearby dwarf pear trees, and its alarm call was persistent. What caught my attention even more was the reaction from the other birds.
Birds from all around flew into that same tree. I counted two Northern Mockingbirds, three Brown Thrashers, several Tufted Titmice, two Eastern Bluebirds, and one American Robin. There may have been more, but I couldn’t see them all through the thick leaves.
My first thought was that a snake must be in that tree. I walked over to investigate, but the foliage was too dense to spot anything. Most of the birds stayed put even when I approached, which was unusual. Normally, they scatter when I get close.
Solving the Mystery
Later that afternoon, I returned to check again. This time, I didn’t even make it to the tree. I spotted a ratsnake stretched out on the ground nearby. Mystery solved.
I see ratsnakes in my yard pretty regularly. A few years ago, I even found a large one climbing this same pear tree. They seem to be well established in the area.
Nesting Concerns
I am especially concerned about the Eastern Bluebird nesting nearby. I believe she has started laying eggs, and ratsnakes are known to eat bird eggs. Their diet includes eggs, birds, rodents, frogs, and lizards. Thanks to their excellent climbing ability, they can access nests in trees and even birdhouses.
These snakes are non-venomous and play an important role in keeping the rodent population in check, but their presence around nesting birds can be worrisome. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the nest.
For another encounter I had with a ratsnake, see my post: Snake Inside a Duck Nest Box.
Photography Tip
When photographing snakes, keep a safe distance and use a telephoto lens. Stay low and steady to capture a natural perspective, and avoid sudden movements that might startle the snake or cause it to retreat.
Camera Settings for These Photos:
Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Lens: RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Aperture: ƒ/8
Focal Length: 500.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/640
ISO: 3200
Exposure Mode: Manual
Exposure Compensation: 0