Thursday, April 16, 2026

Leaf Peeper

I came across this beautiful specimen whilst working in my flower bed. It was sluggish and calm amongst the leaves.

Photo: D. Schultz

It tolerated both of us approaching and watching it - this is the Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), a non venomous native.

Photo: D. Schultz
I love how jagged its outline looks, since each scale is ridged, or keeled, making it appear more rough-edged, not sleek-looking.

Photo: D. Schultz
We spent a fair amount of time watching it, and when it eventually uncoiled, it did so without slithering off and away. We decided to walk away and leave it in peace to warm up in the spring sunshine.








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