Diamondback water snake
in hobbs state park on the pigeon roost trail. found in a stream.
This baby was swimming close to the bank of the pond, about 10 inches from the edge of the water on and area that was about 5 inches deep. He was probably hunting for prey along the bank. He moved slowly and calmly, and was very still on the snake hook once lifted out of the water.
This was one of several black rat snakes that had apparently just emerged from a stone pile.
I was watching a cricket go into a hole in the ground and then spotted the snake nearby.