During my childhood in the UK, I encountered adders, which are venomous snakes. However, their venom poses little threat to healthy adults.

Recently, during my time in Sydney, I had my first encounter with a venomous Australian snake, specifically a stunning red-bellied black snake. This snake belongs to the Elapidae family, which includes many of the world’s most venomous species.

Although its bite can cause serious illness, there have been no recorded deaths resulting from the red-bellied black snake’s bite. Moreover, this particular snake displayed a docile nature and didn’t evoke much fear. It was simply basking beside the trail. When I noticed it, I cautiously stepped back several meters and grabbed my camera.

I had hoped to capture some eye-level photos by lying further up the path, utilizing my telephoto lens to maintain a safe distance. However, the snake was facing the wrong direction, and the foliage on the other side obstructed my view. So, I took a couple of pictures from where I stood and then spent a few minutes admiring the snake. It was the best snake sighting I had ever experienced.

Regrettably, as I passed by, my shadow fell upon it, causing the snake to slowly slither away into the undergrowth in the opposite direction.

Overall, the encounter was far from frightening. I was simply thrilled to finally see a snake in Australia, as my previous hikes had been unsuccessful. In reality, most encounters with venomous snakes follow a similar pattern, as long as one avoids provoking them intentionally.