Too Close for Comfort

Since our departure from Honey Harbour, Georgian Bay’s scenery has been absolutely stunning. Smooth pink granite islands, tall windswept pines and crystal clear blue water highlights the scene. Georgian Bay is also home to eleven reptiles at risk, including the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake - a feature of the bay that I hoped only to observe from afar. One morning, while paddling through a maze of small islands, I spotted, less than 10ft. from the bow of our canoe, what looked like a Massasauga Rattlesnake swimming across the channel. Jon, wanting to capture the reptile on video camera, urged me to paddle closer. Noticing our approach, the snake lifted its head out of the water and turned swimming defensively towards the canoe. With less than a foot between the snake and I, I was left with two options: I could stay calm and push it away with my paddle if need be or panic, scream and jump out of the bow seat into the middle of the canoe. I chose the latter option. The snake, knowing full well that he had the upper hand in the confrontation, turned in the opposite direction towards shore. We watched as the snake climbed out of the water and to our surprise and relief, the snake had no rattle. Jon and I later found out that the snake we observed was the Eastern Foxsnake, also included on Ontario’s list of species at risk. Although unsettling at times, we feel privileged to have these types of close encounters.