Taking advantage of the gorgeous spring weather, I walked the towpath  
downstream from Violettes Lock this afternoon.  Just upstream from  Blockhouse 
Point, at the first rocky outcroppings, I flushed an immature  Red-tailed Hawk 
across the canal.  It had a snake in its talons!
 
The hawk quickly reperched and after a few minutes, began eating the snake,  
which was a very large garter snake.  When I left it was still ripping  pieces 
off.  
 
At this point, the rocky outcropping face almost due south, so I am sure  
that they warmed up considerably today.  The snake must have thought winter  was 
over and came out of hibernation.
 
Global warming?
 
Bob Mumford
Darnestown