Going back uphill, Jeff and I worked opposite sites of a huge fallen log lying down the slope. Large sheets of bark had fallen off the log and lay on both sides. Jeff found a Cottonmouth under some bark on his side, and when I looked underneath the big log (off the ground for part of its length) I saw two more. "Careful Jeff!" I sang out. I wasn't sure he could see them and I didn't want him to put any limbs within reach.

This place was simply lousy with moccasins - every few feet we would spot another one. Adults, subadults, neonates, some clean-looking, most covered with a gloss of dried mud. This section of the hill had a lot of outcrops and loose rock, and we carefully made our way towards the top, watching our step and where we put our hands along the way.

Close to the top Jim found a neonate Broadband, with a somewhat unusual feature. It had no eyes - both sockets were sunken in and empty. Otherwise. the snake seemed to be in good health and carried good body weight. Somehow. this eyeless serpent survived a summer and fall without sight, and managed to move uphill and find a safe place to wait out the winter. We were suitably amazed, and put the little snake back after taking its picture.

We finally made it back up to where the cars were parked. I think our Cottonmouth tally stood at 37 at this point. All three of us had had 'multiple moccasin' days, but nothing like this!