S is for.... Yes.. Snake

Day #178

 This afternoon the smoke cleared up and occasionally the sun poked out from the clouds. I decided I need to get out and go for a walk... so, Fort George Park is where I headed. Its always good therapy to throw rocks and skip stones into the river.

 Just as I bend down to pick up another good skipping stone... I met a friend.. nearly grabbed him... and my heart skipped a beat. 

 After my heart returned to my chest... I started to take a few photos of this little guy..basking on the warm rocks next to the river! 

S is for Snake

Snake information 

Garter snake (in addition to ribbon snake) is a common name for the nearly harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis. Endemic to North America, species in the genus Thamnophis can be found from the Subarctic plains of Canada to Central America. The common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, is the state reptile of Massachusetts.^[2 

Habitat

Garter snakes are present throughout most of North America. They have a wide distribution due to their varied diets and adaptability to different habitats, with varying proximity to water; however, in the western part of North America, these snakes are more aquatic than in the eastern portion. Garter snakes populate a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, fields, grasslands, and lawns, but never far away from some form of water, often an adjacent wetland, stream, or pond. This reflects the fact that amphibians are a large part of their diet. 
(Thank you Wikipedia!) 

I have always been afraid of snakes.. even watching nature shows or Indiana Jones movies... but looking at this guy through my lens, a safe distance away, I may add... he was pretty chill with the attention I was giving him. 

Thank you for taking a look at my blog..

See next time !  (hopefully no nightmares about snakes tonight!)

Jewels