In Rocky Narrows, I was climbing down a steep hill to get a stray balloon stuck in a branch on the edge of the river. But when I reached the bottom, I saw the balloon was in a tree that was flooded – I couldn't reach it. I looked down, and there was this coiled snake at my feet looking up at me – and it startled me. Usually, I would quickly retreat. I've always had a fear of snakes, even though I know around here they are perfectly harmless. And this snake, for whatever reason, wasn't startled by me, it stayed calmly coiled, just so, and looked up at me. So, I asked if I could take this picture. Apparently, the snake did not object. And, as I looked at the picture and posted it on Instagram, and realized our eyes had truly met - were, in a way, still meeting - this made me imagine that instead of stumbling upon a threat, I had found a new friend. 

All photos and text ©Kelly DuMar 2018