Hanging with the Hanleys: Lions and Chiggers and Snakes, Oh My!

After living in a few different states it seems no matter the place there's always some sort of pest, or critter that you could live without. Mosquitos, spiders, horse flies, etc.

Growing up in North Carolina I spent my summertime outdoors climbing up mountains, hiking through the forests and rolling down banks. I recall getting chigger bites on a day to day basis. If you didn't itch the bite they would go away in a days time, but that was much easier said than done. If somehow you escaped the chigger bites there was definitely a tick somewhere on your head.

After graduating I lived in the swamps of South Florida where I encountered numerous creepy critters. The bugs thrived in the thick humidity.

You can run but you can't hide.

And even worse than bugs...

Since I've been on the ranch the most unwanted animal I've come across has been the rattle snake.

I hate snakes, especially the killer kind!

Disclaimer: Photographs presented on this website have been approved by the states Game and Fish Department and are not subject to any harrassment from PETA, ASPCA, or any other animal rights organizations/activists groups.

Today I saw the biggest, scariest, most terrifying critter I've ever seen in my life. Ever.

For the sake of my life, I'm very thankful I saw him dead.
The last couple of months we've spotted mountain lion tracks near our game park fence. This is a problem for a few reasons.

1. The game park fence is big part of our livelihood.
2. The game park fence is less than 1 mile from our house.
3. I love taking walks down our drive.

Oh, and how could I forget...

4. My beloved chihuahuas, Madeline and Franklin <3

They say if you get in a bind and cross a mountain lion with no escape your best chance at saving your life is to run full force towards the lion making as much noise as possible.