Figure 1 – Norhern water snake, Sudbury, MA, August 4, 2018. (c) DE Wolf 2018.

Today we went for a stroll in the woods. I am told that anything short is not a walk and anything not uphill is not a hike. So I have concluded that it was a stroll. We came upon this Northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon,by one of the bridges. I do wonder why snakes , given the whole forest offered up to them, defiantly taunt you, dogs, and children by positioning themselves by the side of the path. This one was in no hurry to beat a retreat. Perhaps it is seeking to remind us that there is only a thin and imagined veil between us and the wild.

Canon T2i with EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens at 200 mm, ISO 1600, Aperture Priority AE Mode 1/80th sec at f/7.1 with -1 exposure compensation.