Blue-eyed Water Snake

(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.

 

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Water Snake

 

I took some close-ups with my long lens 70-200mm with a 1.7x teleconverter.  I was safe!

 

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Water Snake Close-up

 

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Water Snake Close-up

 

Some movement began as I kept looking for the water snake’s head.

And then it emerged.

 

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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.

 

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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)

 

 

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