33 Comments

When I read this I almost cried.

https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/environment/2024/06/17/gopher-tortioises-moved-from-hyundai-site-to-fort-sewart-army-base/74117634007/

They "conserved" The tortoises but not any of the other animals that use their burrows. And they excavated the burrows destroying them, so the co-habitators lost their homes too. I have read that removing box turtles from their home range causes them to spend the rest of their lives lost and searching for home. I wonder if its the same with gopher tortoises?

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I LOVE that you have an indigo snake named after you! If I could have anything named after me, I would choose a green salamander. Thanks for the phenology of your place. It feels like I am sitting on the front porch with you as you point out the comings and goings.

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Sorry I missed the kickstarter. I miss the days when I wrote. I can attest to the 'something' pushing my hand across the page. But I don't miss the paralysis of remorse after hitting publish. When I moved into this house in 2011 your book was here, left by my husband's late wife. Much appreciation and admiration to your work. And to the Ibis. Sometimes the crows forget I'm in the garden and I hear and feel their wings so close. It's magical.

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I almost decided I can’t be your friend because I’m so jealous you have a namesake Indigo snake. But your shock on the fence brought me back to your reality and so we can carry on. That and fly masks.

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Mary, these fly masks are driving me crazy. One doesn't fit the tiny Paso, and she loses it every day. Yesterday I TAPED it around her face. She's the one who gets eye infections most easily, and the one who is hardest to keep masked. I'm so jealous of you that you ride. I have horses but I don't like riding. I need a horse valet, LOL.

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Jun 14Liked by Janisse Ray

Loved Indigo Janisse, the plums, the ibis, and all, but your mention of electroshock brought back a memory for me. My father had moved the electric fence for the cattle and one day I was running through the fields. I ran smack into the electric fence and the jolt was enough to knock me backwards onto the ground. I remember I was playing dress up that day and was wearing a long skirt with petticoats underneath and it still packed a wallop I felt for a long time afterwards. What a memory!

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I feel your pain, Pamela. (But I couldn't help laughing just a little bit.)

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Jun 13Liked by Janisse Ray

Enjoy this connection to you.

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I love it when I get to live an adventure, and then read about that adventure from you, it's like living a double life.

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Are you living a double life, Raven Waters? :)

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That photo of Janisse the Snake is stunning! Do you think Dirk would allow me to purchase a copy? I would love to frame it and put it in my science classroom!

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Stephanie, give me a minute & I'll send you Dirk's email. He just told me that the photographer is Greg Brashear. We'll track this down & I bet that Greg would welcome you to do this. I think that photo was stunning.

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Jun 13Liked by Janisse Ray

What an honor to have an indigo snake named after you! And quite a beauty (I meant the snake, but you, too).

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LOL

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I have to ask stupid question # 803: how do you know it was the same snake?

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Oh my gosh. I don't know. It must contain a tracker. I'll ask Dirk.

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Thanks.

Where do you put a tracker on a snake? They don't have feet....

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Jun 13Liked by Janisse Ray

Amazing photo of the indigo snake, Dirk! 2 weeks ago, I almost trod on an indigo while jogging on a path next to the Ocmulgee. Wasn't thinking about what it was, only don't-step-on-it and move-along -- reptile brain reactions. Honestly was thinking about a lot of other things at the time. This post is a reminder to slow down to appreciate and share these apparitions.

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That image of the white ibis rising out of the swamp and flying overhead will stay with me. So beautiful.

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Ibises, your namesake snake, plums too

Loveliness all the way through

I read your letters from home and the world seems much better and I feel less worried. I loved the photo of the plums and it made me think of William Carlos Williams writing about the plums in his icebox. Not refrigerator, but icebox.

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Yes, definitely an icebox! :)

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As always, love to hear from your frontier--and glad to know that Janisse the Indigo is thriving!

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What a balm for the soul your updates are! Thanks to Dirk for introducing us to the Indigo Janisse. Looking forward to holding the magic of your book in my hands.

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Jun 13Liked by Janisse Ray

Loved the whole update! As always, the farm news is my favorite because country/ranching life is an inseparable part of me. The ibis part...breathtaking yet deeply peaceful all at once. I had never heard of an indigo snake before. She is beautiful.

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