Yep...a rat snake...non-poisonous, but...they will strike and bite your face...LOL nice shot author, most people fear snakes very much, so to get this close, I'd call that an on-topic shot. Well done.

definitely risky and scary

a really cool shot... but I don't see the risk

Thanks everyone especially the info about the eyes.

fantastic, bravo

Nice close up, and yes I think it is a rat snake =)

Well. Emik... I buy that getting close to water etc. without a weathersealed camera is risky to the camera (although the cynic in me suspects many of those aren't really that close and are just cropped) But a Rat Snake doesn't seem too risky. How would it hurt you or the camera? Would it be risky to get close to a baby bunny?

What did I consider risky? The last time this theme ran I entered my shot taken in mid-February where I climbed over the fence at Niagra Falls around midnight to stand on the ice right next to the falls. Not only risky - but incredibly STUPID!!!

Fabulous shot and I love the DOF. I'm sure I wouldn't have got that close to any snake.....

Wow, great focus and great capture author.

Someone needs to mow