I was a bit surprised at the way that this Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) had poked its head up high to peer above the vegetation on 6 June at Occoquan Regional Park. It felt like one of the snake charmers that I used to see in movies when I was growing up, although as I recall those snakes tended to be cobras. For the record, I was not playing a flute nor was I trying to hypnotize the snake.
The snake seemed to be alert and inquisitive as it scanned its surroundings. Perhaps it was looking for potential prey. As you may be able to tell, I tried to get down as low as I could to take this photo. I tried to be as stealthy as I could and he snake did not move—it was either unaware of my presence or did not view me as a threat. When I departed, it was still in the same spot with its head and “neck” elevated.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
What a fabulous shot! The snake definitely looks inquisitive. I hope it found whatever it was looking for.
Thanks, Laura. I am by nature full of curiosity, so I definitely understand the way that the snake might have been feeling. I try to look at the world with sense of wonder that all kids possess and have trouble understanding sometimes why so many adults have lost that instinctual curiosity our our natural world.
Cool shot!
Thanks. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to react quickly enough to get a shot, but fortunately the snake held the position for quite a while. 🙂