Now here is something you rarely see in North America: a snake in a bush.  I believe this is a common Garter Snake, and I am certain I have never seen one in a bush or tree of any kind. It was well distended at the mid-point with its last meal, and I am sure it crawled up into the bush (just about eye level) to digest its food in peace. And then we came along: an avid group of birders and nature lovers on a field trip at East Harbor State Park on the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio for the Midwest Birding Symposium, and all had to have a look at the snake. And take pictures. I was a little concerned when folks attempted to fill the screen of their smartphones with snake…I thought they were a tad close for the snake’s comfort, but he/she took it all in stride and we left it digesting where we found it in its bush.

Samsung Smart Camera WB800F at 481mm equivalent field of view. Program and Macro. f5.9 @ 1/30th @ ISO 400. Processed in Snapseed on the Nexus 7 2013.