What's Been Lurking in our Backyard.

After the Sun and Moon, what are the next two brightest objects in the night sky?

Venus and Jupiter!

Right now, in the western sky, Venus and Jupiter can't be missed.

They are extremely bright and close together, and we have a very clear night to view them as well.

No telescopes needed.

I took this tonight from my back porch looking west.
We have a beautiful view.

Venus is the brightest one on the right, and Jupiter is on the left.  They will not be this close together again until 2036.  So, if you can, go take a look.  The picture doesn't do justice to the amazing brightness of these two planets on a clear night.   Also, after looking at Venus and Jupiter, turn around and look east and you will see an orange-red object.  That will be Mars.  

So what else was in our backyard today?

This lovely little creature.  A common snake in Ohio, the Eastern Gartersnake. 

And how was he discovered?  

BigJ almost stepped on him with his bare feet while playing in the backyard with LittleJ!  

He gave out a pretty big scream too.  BigJ, not the snake. Haha.

We watched him for a while and then saw a second one.  The second one was smaller and scurried along much faster.  As for our first friend, we followed him (or tried to shoo him along really) towards the neighbors yard. 

 Happy trails.... 

And I hope we don't meet again!