I did a quick drive through the area just to see if anything had changed in the last five years. Nothing to the naked eye. I parked at a spot where the snakes seemed to be more common than average based on roadcruising finds, and hit the woods with my cell phone. My mobility was a bit limited due to a double-whammy sprain (knee and ankle). I didn't want to aggravate matters too much, but still, it's a rare opportunity for me.
Habitat is post oak savannah with lots of water nearby:

I don't think I was even five minutes into the field and hello:


Perfect. I'll never forget that find. I snapped a couple of more photos and we parted ways.



I looked around for about ten more minutes and called it a day......hard to beat that.
Shane