At Loxahatchee Wildlife Preserve this morning I came across this very impressive and frankly, quite beautifully marked snake. I hadn't realised how dangerous it's potential was because it turned out to be an adult Cottonmouth otherwise known as a Water Moccasin. I took a few photos before it turned and left the scene. In the short time that it was showing I managed to get this nice photo.

 Water Moccasins are pit vipers and if you are bitten they can be fatal. Or should I say, if you should be bitten you will probably die if you are not given treatment including anti venom within 12 hours. Never the less, I never felt threatened, I just wanted to get a nice photo. Talking of reptiles. Alligators are well known as Florida's celebrity animal. Young 'gators' are attractive and interesting and it was a great pleasure to see o couple this morning in a roadside canal at Loxahatchee.