It could have been a stick; but, it wasn’t. The trail in Manatee Springs State Park winds its way through wetlands filled with graceful cypress draped in moss, around ponds, and across long stretches of sandy soil.  It is chilly as we get started and only the woodpeckers and flickers are out and about.  Soon bright sunlight warms things up along the open sections of trail.  That’s where we find our little buddy. Kent is leading as we make our way along a fence line.  I hear, “stop”.  I did of course. Kent has stepped right over a rat snake lying perfectly still in the middle of the trail.  We get a pretty good look before it gives up on the freeze- and-they-won’t-see-me tactic and slithers off into the brush.