(UPDATE: I have made corrections to my original post below to correct my ID. Experts have determined these photos are indeed a water snake but not a Cottonmouth as I originally ID’d. The information on the blue eyes is still true to fact. It is my intent to always provide correct ID’s and facts through my research before posting. I appreciate any comments and corrections to my posts. Thank you William!)
There are more than alligators lurking in Florida’s swamps and wetlands.
Everywhere I walk, I am diligent in paying attention on where I am stepping along my path.
Oh boy, was I ever so thankful I saw this water snake curled up beneath a clump of green before a few more steps.
I am not fond of snakes. Period.
Water Snake
I took some close-ups with my long lens 70-200mm with a 1.7x teleconverter. I was safe!
Water Snake Close-up
Water Snake Close-up
Some movement began as I kept looking for the water snake’s head.
And then it emerged.
Water snake with blue eyes
Blue eyes?? I had to google this myself.
A snake with blue eyes is getting ready to shed. This eye color change occurs as a result of skin loosening and fluid building up between the old and new skin layers. At the peak of this transformation, the snake’s eyes take on a milky blue or blue-gray color for 2-4 days. At this time, their vision is blurry. It should be shedding its skin in another week or so.
Water snake with blue eyes, a sign it is preparing to shed its skin
I felt I was now agitating the water snake so I backed away to leave. As I moved, it slithered down the grassy embankment and disappeared.
(Photos taken at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park)
