Critters

They’re everywhere.  But some places are worse than others.  Now, take Texas for instance (and that’s only 'cause I’m here and so are they).  BIG, small, pretty, ugly, deadly and not so much.  Critters, that’s what I’m talkin’ about.

I’m talkin’ 'bout spiders (all kinds, including th’ Black Widow), tarantulas, scorpions, snakes (all kinds), wasps, bugs (once again, all kinds), fire ants,  jackrabbits, coyotes, Javelinas, Mexican ground squirrels and Roadrunners.  And at nighttime, you see most all of ‘em.  Now, critters in Texas are a whole ‘nother breed of, well, critter.  They’re bigger and badder in most cases.

Black Widow

SW Texas has between 8 and 14 different species of tarantulas (and I still don’t like any of ‘em),  but, they serve a purpose.  They eat bugs and scorpions!  

Tarantula

Of course, tarantulas have enemies also, roadrunners and the fiercesome tarantula hawk (wasp).

Tarantula Hawk

Th' Tarantula Hawk is actually a large wasp which has th' second most painful insect sting in th' world (second only to th' bullet ant).  Th' wasp is usually about 2 inches long with a blue-black body and has rust colored wings.  Th' stinger on this raschal can be as long as 1/3 of an inch (ouch).

Roadrunner

Th’ roadrunner eats  scorpions and bugs as well and also will feast on snakes.  In our area, we have seen th’ Blue Indigo snake and th’ Western Diamondback (Can I get three cheers for th’ roadrunner).  Th’ roadrunners are pretty tame to us humans and will actually eat from your hand. 

Lots and lots of Mexican ground squirrels go scampering across th’ road with their little tails stuck straight up in th’ air.  Funny little critters.

Mexican Ground Squirrel

Th’ Blue Indigo snake and th’ Western Diamondback 

Western Diamondback

Blue Indigo

Blue Indigo feasting on Western Diamondback

Th’ Blue Indigo snake also feasts on th' Western Diamondback.

Javelina

And then there’s th’ coyotes and th’ Javelina’s.  I have seen several coyotes wandering by th’ RV and actually saw a small herd (???) of Javelinas th' other mornin'.  Our company service guy says he has seen a lot of them near our location though.  

Coyote

At night, not only do you have to put up with th’ nocturnal critters   At just about all of the oil field security gates, there'll be several of th’ halogen security lights that will attract hundreds of bugs.  

Weird Grasshopper

Amongst them, are some kind of grasshopper (I guess that’s what it’s called).  Weird looking things, but tarantulas like ‘em.  And they have some sort of stinger tail, don't know if it will actually sting ya or not and really don't want to find out either.

Whitetail Deer

Once in a while we will also see a small herd (up to 6) of Whitetail Deer go wandering by th' RV.  Downright pretty they are.

Did I mention mice and rats?  Yep, got them too, and lots of ‘em.  ‘Course, maybe th’ roadrunners like them too.  That’d be real nice.

So, if you’re gonna gate guard in th’ great state of Texas, prepare to deal with all kinds of critters, and be happy, happy, happy, especially if they stay outside th’ RV.

Later   .   .   .