I decided to brave the holiday weekend and windsurf Van Pugh early this morning. The day started out slow, and just as predicted the wind picked up and I was planing by 10:00. The boaters hadn't emerged yet so it was relatively chopless until i left @ 11:30 when the recreational boaters came out in droves. During a quick break and run to shore, when I was hanging at the beach, I realized that I was on someone else's turf (and it wasn't a picnicer.) A 3-4 foot snake came swimming up to shore and it resembled a water moccasin. This snake had orange and dark bands and didn't seem to be very aggressive. As soon as I noticed it, the snake noticed me and swam off. I don't think it was a water moc, since it would be out of range for where it normally inhabits. But, when I was doing research on what kind of snake it could have been I came across the following website and the snake I saw resembled the snake with the caption "A juvenile Water Moccasin swimming..." Could it be that a mild winter would expand the water moc's range? Another possibility may be that I encountered the Northern snake listed on the website.
Shawn,
Don't know anything about nature, but perhaps Barrett will chime in.
In the meantime, how is the Seatrend working for you?
Randy
My guess is it was a common water snake. I have always called them banded water snakes but not sure if that is the correct name. Their markings are very similar to a copper heads without the diamond head. They don't look at all like water mocs to me because water mocs are usually gray to black in color. Mocs are also rare north of Columbus and according to DNR there is no recorded case of a moc north of Atlanta. I know everyone will say they have seen one but I haven't and that is what DNR said. Water snakes do seem agressive to me also. I have had them come right at me like they are going to get in my kayak with me. I have also had them strike at me.
One more thing, copper heads can swim!
Alan
I most likely saw a watersnake. I was shocked to see it because the only animals I really expect to see are water fowl and the occasional jumping fish.
On the windsurfing side... the Seatrend is working out well. I am still getting used to the board and honing skills. It is my first epoxy board, so it is much more fragile than the HiFly Magnum beginner board that I also own. I rode the Seatrend on a couple of days this spring where I was being overpowered and the mast struck the edge of the nose of the board and chipped off some marine tex that was already on the board. So, I patched the spot and touched up some other places where it looked like the surface had micro cracks. The board is a blast to ride and feels light & easy to maneuver, though slightly sketchy in the lightwinds when compared to the HIFly.
I treat all snakes like they are poisonous! someone told me one time to look at their eyes, poisonous ones have cat shaped pupils, not round ......... like i'm going to get that close!
Forget the snake though, you are a brave man for going out on lanier on a holiday weekend !
Good point. What's more dangerous - a snake or a jet ski? My guess is that if the snakes are out on lake, it won't be long before they are sliced and diced.