Most snakes tend to lie horizontally, but the Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) that I spotted last week felt inclined to slither its way up a protruding tree branch and bask in the sun at a rather sharp angle. I was exploring the edge of a stream in Prince William County and was somewhat shocked to stumble upon this snake—I had been keeping an eye on the vegetated areas, knowing there was a chance there might be a snake there, but did not really expect to see one out in the open.
Most of the Northern Watersnakes that I have seen in the past have been darker and duller in color than this one, which has a distinctive colorful pattern. Given the brightness of the colors and the snake’s relatively small size, I wonder if this might be a juvenile snake.
The snake seemed comfortable on its perch and did not react when I took these photos, though I must admit that I kept a respectful distance away. When I continued on, the snake stayed put, enjoying the warmth of the springtime sun.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beautiful photos! wonderful that it was all laid out for the camera like that.
It was thrilled (maybe you would say “chuffed”) when I came upon the snake extended like that. I moved really slowly and carefully for fear of scaring the snake of its perch to get the photos. I happen to like snake, so the subject itself was cool, but the fact that the colors and textures of the entire image work so well together was a huge plus.
Thrilled is definitely the right word! Since we don’t have snakes, I would be thrilled to find a jewel gecko for instance (most unlikely but if I did then “thrilled” would be the only word). It’s a great wonder that you got this opportunity!
I keep forgetting that you do not have snakes there in New Zealand, Liz. I had to look up the jeweled gecko and it is pretty spectacular and appears to be found in a very limited number of places. It is very cool to find subjects that are rare, but I enjoy my more common species too.
They frequent some of the islands in Lake Erie. There is a people bar there with a tree where several of the water snakes will hang out. The water snakes tend to keep the tables under the tree open except for brave and or oblivious souls. Thanks Mike.
Better angle for sunbathing – like a recliner chair!
Absolutely. If you are a reptile, I am sure you do everything you can to warm up in the sun.
That is the one that gives me pause… at first glance resembles a Cottonmouth. We avoid those as best we can, for obvious reasons. The colors here are really nice.
Generally I try to keep my distance from snakes if I don’t know for sure what they are. I could tell that this was a Northern Watersnake–they are not poisonous but I have read that their bite can be painful and that when they bite they inject and anti-coagulant, so that you bleed a lot. The only poisonous snake I have encountered in this park was an Eastern Copperhead (https://michaelqpowell.com/2019/06/06/eastern-copperhead/). Yikes.
A wonderful photograph of a beautiful creature, Mike!
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Wally. Snakes are one of the subjects that will cause a variety of response–some, like you, may find them beautiful, while others will be completely creeped out.
Very nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing your images!
Thanks, Reed. The patterns on this snake were particularly beautiful and interesting.
I am not big on snakes but there is a kind fascination when they appear!
I mostly admire snakes from a distance. This snake is not a poisonous one, but I have encountered one of the poisonous species in the very same park a year or two ago.
You must be very happy to find this snake and to be able to take this great captures.
I was very happy to be able to spot this snake at the edge of the stream and was pleasantly surprised that it stayed in place while I took my photos.
Great pic once again, Mike!!
Nice photos.