seven snakes (or possibly eight)

[dragonyphoenix]

I was at Riverbend Park today and down by the river, over where the boats launch, I saw two snakes swimming. One dove and headed for the weeds; I didn’t see that one again. The other dove, came back up, and headed out toward the center of the river.

A bit further down the trail, I was clambering onto some rocks and a guy told me he’d seen a snake there earlier. Later I overheard some hikers walking by and one said she got nervous when she heard rusting in the foliage because she’d seen a snake on a previous visit.

I continued down the trail and climbed onto a tree that was mostly horizontal, although it’s roots are still in the dirt, and hanging over the stream. I saw a flash of movement from the riverbank and looked down to see a snake with a fish in it’s mouth. The snake was three-quarters out of the river to trap the fish out of the water. Every once in a while, the fish would fight to get away. I watched until the snake had eaten it. Once the fish was in it’s mouth, it kept rocking it’s head from side to side, I guess that’s part of how it swallowed the fish.

After I started walking again, I heard a rustling and looked down to see another snake swimming downstream with the current.

By the dam I saw a flash of something, on land this time, which might have been a smaller snake. I didn’t get a good look at it. I also saw a salamander with blue markings.

I then turned around and headed back toward my car but stopped on another rock where I saw yet another snake, this one swimming toward the shore.

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[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

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