He’s a real snake in the grass.

I met this slithering reptile face to face while laying on a grassy bank photographing wetland birds at Viera Wetlands in Melbourne Florida. It’s always very exciting meeting up with a snake when you have a good camera with a long lense. Actually its more exciting with a short lens but more dangerous too.

Viera is one of my favorite wild places to meet up with and photograph Florida wildlife. If you visit Viera, look for snakes and alligators, all types of wading and some shore birds plus raptors,  Eagles, Hawks, and Caracara.

It’s located at the end of Markham road, north of Melbourne, west of I95. It’s a day’s adventure because you will want to see Viera Click ponds, to the north, too. It’s a great getaway spot for photographers.