Water snake, Assekonk approach

Today marked the first formal day of autumn, and it found me on the trail for much of the morning and early afternoon. But the fall equinox saw me walking with a genuine purpose instead of merely going out, camera and observing equipment in hand, to see what I could see and hear what I could hear. The 22nd was one of my favorite events: the day I spend at Wheeler Middle School to lead the 6th grade biology students taught by Kristi Williams outside for walks that will, if I've done my job, enhance what they're learning in class about the natural world. I knew it would be a great time since, no sooner did we get to the bridge over the Assekonk Swamp than we found a coiled and barely moving Water Snake. The reptile was chilled from the overnight temperature drop and it wasn't inclined to flee... or turn around and bite me when I got close enough to show it off. The kids loved this, and it was the start of a wonderful collection of observations, all duly noted, I hoped, in their journals.