Northern Watersnake

Meet, Nerodia sipedon, commonly known as a Northern Watersnake, but often mistaken for its venomous cousin the Cottonmouth.

I have been bumping into quite a few of these as of late near the higher altitude bodies of water which I frequent. They never fail to send a knee weakening chill up my leg that usually results in that surprised clumsy awkward startle that you would rather your macho counterparts to never witness.