Rough Green Snake

I was walking through the large marsh at White Oak Lake near Vincennes last week when I spotted this Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) perched up in a Nodding Bur Marigold (Bidens cernua).

The snake was strikingly beautiful. I took many pictures, and still couldn't decide between the middle and bottom one which I liked better. He gracefully glided off through the vegetation as we walked past. Notice the keel running down the center of each scale. Smooth Green Snakes don't have that keel, plus they live further north. I don't see green snakes too often, and it is a treat whenever I do.