Northern water snake

Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), Cedar Creek, just upstream from the Natural Bridge and downstream from Lace Falls, Rockbridge County, Virginia. Photos by Mark & Jessica Farrell-Churchill.

This fellow, so much bigger than the last ones we photographed, had me baffled as to his identity. (The fact that we encountered him on a rock wall and not in the water was another contributing factor.) But now that I've had a chance to look things over, the overall patterning, keeled scales, and proximity to water leave little room for doubt.

Gorgeous animal.

And he sure knows where to live...