Guest Blog - Kevin and Aggie!

Today, on my way out the door for a walk with Aggie, Sam handed me the camera with instructions to, number one, "Don't let Aggie off the leash because she always makes herself sick by eating stuff" and number two "Get a picture of one of the mice in the snake traps". With these instructions in mind, and with the threat that should Aggie get sick in the middle of the night Sam wouldn't be getting up to let her out, we set off on a short boonie stomp.

This is where we started, it's an old WWII structure just two minutes down the road from our house (behind me and across the street is the War Dog memorial for those of you keeping score at home).

The jungle path begins on the right side of the building. Aggie and I had to wade through the tall grass to get to it.

Once you get behind the building, you're officially 'in the jungle' and out of sight. Remember when I mentioned Sam told me not to let Aggie off the leash? Well, let's just say I needed her in the shots to give some sense of scale and perspective. She's not so much 'running free' as she is a subject in the photos.

One of the first things we came across was this hermit crab.

After taking a look at him, it was more walking.

Next, we came across this old Japanese gun facing north overlooking Apra harbor. It was set up on the cliff in the jungle to fire upon approaching U.S. personnel carriers and supply ships entering the harbor. Aggie liked pretending to be a Japanese spotter.

After the walk, we set off for home and across the street from our house, I popped into the jungle to take a picture of one of the many snake traps and mice who reside within. The U.S. Department of Agriculture checks these things a couple times a week to feed and replace dead mice, and get any snakes out that may have entered the trap.

Here is a photo of the mouse living inside snake trap number 24 (sorry it's so blurry, but it was the best shot I could manage to get).

The mice are actually safe from any snakes that enter into the one-way flap doors on either end of the trap. The mouse is in a protective cage (kind of a cage within a cage) with half a potato and a lump of corn meal. I think the potato serves as a food and water source for the mice.

And here is a photo of the snake inside snake trap number 24! It was a big surprise finding him in the trap. There is another place Aggie and I walk where we can see about ten or twelve snake traps from the path, and we had yet to find one with a snake...until today! I think this may be the same guy who was climbing the palm tree outside our house about a week ago...at least I hope so!

Aggie and I hope you've enjoyed this guest blog (blogging?) We'd both like to thank Samantha for giving us the opportunity to post on her wildly popular new website.

- Kevin and Aggie