Saint and Snakes

 

2001: Year of the Snake

Tradition says that St Patrick banished snakes from both Ireland and the Isle of Man.  Some 800 years ago arguments were had as to whom the Isle of Man belonged to - England or Ireland (based on the absence of snakes). It was claimed Ireland but the counterclaim was that if you brought a snake into the Isle of Man it did not die, as it would have done in Ireland.

1988: Reptiles

In pursuit of green I found a venomous tree vipers (Bothrops bicolor) only found in central America and

 the Sri Lankan green vine snake (Ahaetull nasuta), 'only' mildly venomous

2001: The Snake

This snake looks more friendly, its name is Nelson the Serpent. A character created by the children's author Ulf Stark for early readers.

1995: Reptiles and Amphibians

I had thought that St Patrick had also banished toads but maybe the small Natterjack toad looked like a frog to the saint.  They are very rare and breed in shallow coastal pools.  There are a populations near me in the sand dunes of north west England, always a walk with a purpose to look for their tadpoles as the breeding season starts.  A small toad with a big 'voice' heard here

2013: Europa: The Postman's Van

Lets finish with the postman delivering those Irish stamped letters.  This is the classic An Post van although they have had a rebrand in recent times and are now replacing them with white vans

County Wicklow

with different pictures on them. My persona favourite is the flying postman in superman pose but only managed a snatched photo of one as it whizzed past at speed.

Sunday Stamps this week on St Patrick's Day is Snakes, Green or Irish Stamps - See It On A Postcard