Correctly named "Agkistrodon piscivorous conanti". I know this picture sucks (out of focus), but it's a neat story. I had just sucked down several cold ones at "The Hogs Breath Saloon", in Destin, Florida, and was driving back to my hotel room, and decided to pull over and take some pictures of one of the coolest places I've visited in a long time; Okaloosa Island, on Florida's panhandle. I stumbled a very crooked line across and over several sand dunes and was approaching the inlet when I noticed this swampy little puddle. Figuring it to be steeming with wild critters, I appoached (hic) cautiously. I had just gotten my camera out of its bag when I noticed this fat mama slithering across the puddle, away from me. I joyously bounced my way around the other side (to intercept my victim) and crouched down, awaiting his arrival. As I was on my knees, all bent over the smelly little pond, he came into focus (well, almost in focus). The afformentioned elixer was playing games with my mind now....I thought I was zoomed way out to 300m....I snapped off a few, and lowered my camera expecting Mr. Scaryface to be 10-12 feet away, and to my horror, he was locked into a staring contest from about 30 inches! I don't even remember leaping up, but I'm sure I did. Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool until tonight, when I looked this fellow up, to find out he is a frigging Cottonmouth Water Moccasin....the kind that you have to suck their juice out when they bite you?!?! I might have been bitten, I'm not sure, cause the next morning I was feeling VERY poisoned.
Wonderful 'about' and yes I read every word. I know it is out of focus but I commend your bravery to get the shot even if you didn't know the danger you were in. Take pics when you are not a few sheets to the wind huh :-)
0 
