With fresh snow and wind, the elusive snow snakes slither hither.
Snow snakes are here. The wispy animals have been sighted to the west of Mapleton and along the Conant Road in Easton. These creatures are legendary for their ability to nip the nostrils, clip the ears, and freeze the mouth.
Getting caught by one can mean a rip-roaring trip with Fireman Fred’s team in a box of flashing lights, headed downhill on ice skates.
They are slightly dangerous. Elementary school teachers, some of the bravest people around, will tell horror stories of youngsters barely surviving their encounter. Their advice: bundle the youngsters in super heavy coats, boots, hats, mittens, extra hot water bottles, bubble wrap, goggles and cleats. Snow snakes love youngsters. Yummy!
Finally, the area has some plowable snow. Snow snakes love fresh powder. Like punks, they can catch a wind wave and skirt across open terrain. Hapless drivers and snowmobilers are their prey. And the colder the temperatures, the happier they are.
‘Ware the snow snake. It’s best to avoid contact. Small cars are susceptible to their bite, with many vanishing in the drifts from the playful reptiles. Science has yet to fully study them because they are so fast and tend to melt in the exam room.
Not to worry, corms of daffodils, purple and yellow violets, maple sap and aromatic delights are waiting to engage.
Orpheus Allison is a photojournalist living in The County who graduated from UMPI and earned a master of liberal arts degree from the University of North Carolina. He began his journalism career at WAGM television, worked around the U.S., and later changed careers and taught in China and Korea.
