Sat, Nov 17:  Lake Manatee SP, Bradenton, FL:   A beautiful day today.  We sat outside reading for a while and then had to run some errands.  Needed to get a propane tank filled and pick up a few things.  Got that out of the way.  Fixed some lunch and sat by the picnic table enjoying lunch and reading my book.  Saw some movement in the palmettos and there was a black snake in the palmetto—hunting I guess.  Then I saw another, smaller snake on the ground.  The bigger snake took off after the smaller snake.  Boy, can they move!  I’m not sure if the bigger snake was looking for something to eat or to mate.  Didn’t think it was mating season yet.  Anyway, back to my book and lunch and more activity in the palmettos behind me.  Creeped me out.  Moved over to my chair under the awning.  When we drove back from our errand run, we saw a tortoise crossing the road.  They’re everywhere in here.  Rattle snakes use their burrows a lot.  Anyway, back inside to watch the Syracuse Orange play Notre Dame.  Go ‘cuse!

Sitting over by the picnic table when I saw the snake in the palmettos.

Retreated over to my chaise under the awning.