Went walking the banks the other day....
 

...and didn't see a fish. I walked all the backwaters in DPCA off the Kankakee and along the river itself for a ways, but didn't see anything. I went to a spot near the marina there and saw these guys everywhere. I guess they're mating.













I kept thinking about Mark. I know how he loves these.

Anyone know what kind of snakes these are?

RE: Went walking the banks the other day....
 

Northern Watersnakes. They're neat snakes, very ornery.

Nice pictures!

RE: Went walking the banks the other day....
 

I bet you won't see Mark S. out there anytime soon. heh ;)

RE: Went walking the banks the other day....
 

Nor KBI Prez, he's not a big fan of those squiggly things

BTW, nice photos

RE: Went walking the banks the other day....
 

Saw a bunch of those last spring on the DesPlaines.
Most was 4 in a day, but some were pretty long.

They'd sit on emergent or overhanging branches until you got within a few yards. Then 'BLOOP', there they go.

RE: Went walking the banks the other day....
 

When I took these, I could see at least 4 and as many as 7 at any one time. They really were everywhere. I wanted to grab one but they were too close to the water. Plus I wasn't sure which they were. Watersnakes I think I can handle, but I don't play with them cottonmouths at all. I thought cottmouths were darker, but I wasn't sure. I thought this was a nice treat, seeing so many at a time.

RE: Went walking the banks the other day....
 

I've messed with my share of watersnakes and here are two salient points.

1) They bite hard and have some sort of nasty slobber that makes the bite sting, bleedand swell up more than it should.

2) Theyhave that ultra stinky vent ooze and will rub it all over you if they can.

:D

RE: Went walking the banks the other day....
 

I'm real glad I wasn't there! I can't believe you didn't see any fishies!