Coastal Carpet Python

Spotted while out on Yuggera/Turrbal country in the Karawath Forest (4117) walking the Casuarina Trail.

I was engrossed in photographing something else when I heard an expletive echo down the track. It was a young trail runner and his friend out on a training run. On his way past me, he said "Excuse me ma'am, you should know there's a big snake on the track up ahead!" I thanked him and headed on to check it out, feeling somewhat old at being called ma'am, but also appreciative of this young man's manners, consideration and respectful address.

I could clearly see the snake from where I was. By the time I'd walked closer, it had moved almost entirely off the walking track.

I've not really seen many snakes up close (with the exception of a terrifying snake show in Thailand on my honeymoon - Yikes!) and have never tried to identify one. I was surprised at how vivid the colours were (quite neon in brightness compared to images I've seen in books and online etc.) and feel that the images I captured don't really do it justice. 

Still, it was an exciting sighting for me (probably not so much for the snake).