And also hiding in the leaf litter

Stepping off the trail to get a closer look at the creek, this guy suddenly slithered out and into the creek.

Not a copperhead, he's a Northern Water Snake. But that didn't stop our hearts from racing at the surprise.

 

snake

We were warned that there was a bad snake up ahead in the water.  It turned out to be a beautiful Northern Water snake.  Not bad at all.

The markings are the opposite from a copperhead, and it has a skinny head instead of a triangular one. 

He was just out enjoying the weather. 

 

Water snake

What would a water snake be doing, except swimming along in the creek?

S is for snake

Not a copper head I'm happy to say.  This Northern Water Snake was sleeping on a rock by Abbot's creek.