Passing visitor. We always called them black snakes but I think it’s a northern watersnake. They come out of hibernation in the spring, lay about sluggishly, then head for the water for a happy summer of scoffing down yummy fish and frogs. They’re very hard to see among gravel and leaves and they opt for imitating dead sticks rather than skittering off like garter snakes. They’re harmless, of course, but can give you a turn when they swim up to you in the lake to see if you are edible or at least a floating log where they can bask. They happily swim miles from shore and dive ten feet down if there’s any prospect of a meal. I’m so pleased this one paused to smile for the camera.
Cute snake
How did you get it to pose?