I got a definite “Don’t mess with me” vibe when I encountered this Northern Black Racer snake (Coluber constrictor constrictor) last week at Occoquan Regional Park and moved on quickly after capturing these images. Most snakes slither away when they first detect my presence, but this one reared up a bit and started to feverish flick its forked tongue at me.
Black Racers are somewhat similar in appearance to the Eastern Rat Snake that I featured last week (See the posting Ready to shed?), but are a bit smaller in size and have shinier, smoother skins. Several of my Facebook friends noted that Black Racers also tend to be more aggressive and reported having been chased by one.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
It’s a great looking creature but I’m glad I don’t have to face it in real life Mike! I was surprised how the tongue is so in-focus in the 2nd photo. The intensity of the gaze is seriously scary!
Thanks, Liz. You obviously looked pretty closely at the photos to notice that tongue. I snapped off several burst of shots before I moved on and that photo was the only one in which the tongue was in focus. Normally head-on shots of creatures like this are not desirable (you see more with a side view), but in this case I was able to capture the intensity of the gaze that you noted.
It’s a beauty. I’ve not seen a snake in quite some time, but the reports of rattlesnakes are growing more frequent.
I don’t think we have rattlesnakes in the places that I visit, but did encounter a copperhead a few years ago. (https://michaelqpowell.com/2019/06/06/eastern-copperhead/)
Mike your photos are so clear. I can see every leaf and its detail. Wow!
Thanks, Suzette. I try to get as low as possible to the ground when taking shots like this and I think that helps to enhance the details and the sense of depth in the photos.
Great job!
Fabulous photos. You really captured that sinuous shape of the body and I love that the snake is staring directly at the camera.
Thanks, Laura. “Sinuous” was precisely the word that came to my mind too when I looked at the photo. I was glad I was able to capture the direct eye-to-eye contact, which helped to capture the feeling of real intensity.
Very nice Mike!
As per my usual, skipping this one. At the building site one contractor almost ran over a snake and was eager to put it back in the bushes. For once, glad I will have no bushes.
I totally understand, Molly. Snakes and spiders are not for everyone, fo sure.