This time last year, I almost ran over a green snake with my step-son’s Razor pocket rocket. It was the first live one I’d seen in years, and was crossing the gravel road that meanders through the forest to our home in Rougemont, NC. I have seen snakes in this area through mid-October, and am excited to cross their paths as the weather cools and the days darken. It is like grabbing one more glimpse of summer before the heat of the sun is tempered by the arctic air of winter.
The weather last weekend was bipolar. On Saturday, the chill of autumn mixed with moderate rain and bland gray skies, was enough to lament the heat and humidity of the months before. The need to be outside and greet fall seemed somewhat of a reluctant duty; I was not ready for another changing of earthly guard, but knew resistance to the cold was futile!
We stopped at the Ledge Rock boat launch area of Fall’s Lake, somewhere near Creedmoor, NC. Disappointed by the collection of trash left by local boaters and fishermen, we limited our walk to a basic stroll along the water line. My husband spotted a juvenile watersnake by the roots of a tree that are probably often submerged by the lake water. Unfortunately, the snake looked as if some issues of concern may shorten his lifespan. A laceration on the body appeared to be caused by fishing line, and he had a possible impaction as well. A Nerodia for sure, just don’t know which one.
Young watersnake at Fall's Lake
Monday was the sort of day that makes the chilliness of this season bearable. I took the kids to West Point On The Eno in Durham, NC to explore and play near the dam. The sun kept us warm enough to enjoy the riverbed as if it were a summer day. My six year old daughter spotted a juvenile watersnake by a large rock among the flowing water. He took off at our appearance, but was spotted by another family just feet downstream.
Young watersnake in the Eno River.
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