Encounter with a cottonmouth

The weather finally started cooling off this past weekend, so Laura and I went hiking at Pedernales Falls State Park. We did a four mile loop and were on the way back when we had to cross a stream. After crossing the stream, I noticed a snake relaxing by the water about five or six feet away. I wanted a photograph, but I could tell it was venomous, so I put the telephoto lens on (40-150mm with 4.9 ft. focal distance) and crept in front of it. At the time, all we knew was that it was venomous, judging by the shape of its head, but after about 30 minutes of research and debate when we got home, the snake, as Laura had said all along, was a cottonmouth, one of the most venomous snakes in North America. The cottonmouth sat patiently and let me take its picture for a little while. The snake was not coiled up, so there was no danger of it striking me five feet away. The snake itself was about a foot long, about the length of a newborn cottonmouth (yes, cottonmouth snakes give live birth). I suppose it was sunning or coming out of the brush to return to the water. After I took a few pictures, I guess it got annoyed and wanted to let me know what I was dealing with. The most intimidating thing a cottonmouth can do short of biting me (reprehensible behavior, that), is show me what it could bite me with should I get close enough. Far from deterring me, I was thrilled. And Laura hurriedly told me to get its photograph while said display was occuring. And I did.

Shortly after that, the snake plopped into the water and took off downstream, leaving me the happier for the encounter.