We went to Botany Bay yesterday. Cherrie and Sharon went earlier than I did because I was getting my hair cut. We didn't see a lot of birds, but lots of butterflies and dragonflies. I didn't take too many pictures and they were going on to Edisto Beach to look for seabirds, but I came on home--it was after five already. So these are my best pictures of the day--taken on the way out.
I saw this on the road from Botany to the highway. I would think such a distinct pattern would be easy to ID, but I don't see it in my limited book. I have decided it's a cottonmouth water moccasin because of it's fat middle. They are our most poisonous snake. My pals agree that's what it is. My book shows them as very dark, but this one is only between three and four feet long, so may be rather young and hasn't turned dark yet
I saw this on the road from Botany to the highway. I would think such a distinct pattern would be easy to ID, but I don't see it in my limited book. I have decided it's a cottonmouth water moccasin because of it's fat middle. They are our most poisonous snake. My pals agree that's what it is. My book shows them as very dark, but this one is only between three and four feet long, so may be rather young and hasn't turned dark yet
I stopped perhaps 12-15 feet from it. When I got out of the car, it let me take several pictures without moving at all.
But when I came out from behind the car door and took a step closer, it turned around very fast and went back the way it had come with tongue wagging the whole way.
They can be very aggressive so I was stepping very gingerly and in turn-and-run mode. I'm glad it went away rather than toward me. It was so fat--maybe it had eaten recently so wasn't feeling mean.
Great pictures! It has been my experience that in person reptiles and amphibians often look different than they do in the books.
ReplyDeleteWOW Bruce! So neat, but rather scary too. Glad he/she had apparently just eaten! :c)
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, and here everyone is thinking Africa is a dangerous place to live in!! I almost never see snakes here and if I do, it is just the tail disappearing into the grass. Great shots Bruce!!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add I love the hawk on the right hand side. Brilliant pic!!
ReplyDeleteOh,my....I showed this to Mike so he would know that I'm not the only one that takes pictures of poisonous snakes before I run away the opposite direction :-) Great shots!
ReplyDeleteThanks all for looking and commenting. The ID of it being a cottonmouth water moccasin has been confirmed by experts. I'm going to be more aware as I walk in the woods now I think.
ReplyDelete