The Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) is a species of large, nonvenomous snakes, in the family Colubridae and native to North America.
I came across this water snake on my hike to Decew Falls, in the St. Catharines region of Ontario. At first the snake was startled by my presence and made a hasty retreat.
However, the Northern Water Snake regrouped and returned and of course this piqued by interest.
Unbeknownst to me, I walked past a young Northern Water Snake basking on a log. No parent was going to leave their young to the mercy of a stranger or predator. So the adult water snake returned to protect its young. You can see the adult water snake giving me a wary stare.
Renegade Expressions 
Fabulous! What a marvelous encounter.
I have only ever encountered a snake in the wild once.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This encounter was my fifth, and closest so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not liking the snakes😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s beautiful. I was driving out of the driveway yesterday when I encountered a large snake, which happens a lot this time of year. Looked at it closely, it was a good snake, non-venomous, and capable of killing venomous snakes. I was happy to know it was here. Keeping things in check.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, nature has a way of keeping things in check.
LikeLike