One of the hazards of exploring creeks and streams at this time of the year is that snakes may be sunning themselves at water’s edge. Last week I was startled when I suddenly realized that there was a snake right in front of me, precisely in the direction in which I had been moving.
I managed to get a shot of the sunning snake, which I believe to be a Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon), just before it set off swimming down the creek. Although the first shot may make it look like I was really close to the snake, I was actually a good distance away—generally I prefer to use long telephoto lenses with snakes.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
I would be far away for sure! LOL!
That time of year. My concern is the Cottonmouth. We have plenty and they blend in so well.
Oh no! Snakes are second to spiders on my list of “I don’t want to be anywhere near them!”
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
Love the sinuous lines of the swimming snake. We have encountered a few of these water snakes in exactly the way you describe, practically tripping over them and startling them into making a dash for the water. Each time it happens, I am glad it was not a venomous snake.
No reptile I dislike more than any snake.
Shudder!
Beautiful but they move way too fast and unpredictably….they give me the heebie-jeebies!
I love dragonflies and am really happy when one happens to land on me, which occurs every now and then.