Snakely

This Southern Water Snake lives in the sea-wall stones between the spa deck and the Bill-Garden (our new share-cropping vegetable garden on Bill's lakefront). He's harmless, unless you startle easily and twist an ankle in this rocky area. He comes up to sun, but disappears down his hole if he sees you. About 3 feet or so, and well fed.

Rattlesnake

Found slithering across the road that runs from the Hemlock Falls Trailhead, back to Moccasin Creek State Park.

Update: At first I had this identified as an Eastern Diamondback, but a commenter says it is actually a timber rattler. I've compared it to photos of both, and I'm not really sure which it is.

Crossing a gravel road on your belly can't be much fun!

You can see the 'pit' sensor, between the eye and the tip of the snout. This allows the snake
to detect the heat of warm-blooded animals at close distance, while night-hunting.

Our snake has shed his skin about eight times