Children are gullible, especially when being fed bunkum by older children they look up to. This old fellow doesn't bite, sting, or mend reptiles. He just flies quickly around the pond scooping up mosquitoes and other small insects. By the look of his wings, this old fellow has been around a while. There's a big chunk missing from his right fore wing, and a smaller gap in his right hind wing. But he's still quite handsome, don't you agree?
Great capture! I hadn't heard the snake doctor thing.
ReplyDeleteHandsome indeed. Seems the birds and the insects all look a bit ragged this time of year. Great photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks, folks.
ReplyDeleteVicki, the snake doctor thing comes from eastern Kentucky; my wife says she doesn't recall it being used in West Virginia. I don't know how widespread it is, but it is authentic Appalachian folklore. Maybe we'll see it someday in an Elizabeth Goodweather story.
I'm from WV and I can't remember why, but we always called them snake doctors.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Janet. I enjoyed your blog. Thanks for the confirmation on snake doctors in WV. We were there last week and my wife's cousin's husband said his family had always called them snake doctors, too. OBTW, you live in a beautiful state! Jim
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