Photo by Karine Aigner kaigner | I am a snake lover. I do not understand non-experience-based fears toward this creature—or really, any species. Why do many have "Snake-tred" (snake hatred) when they’ve never had a bad experience with a snake? Snakes are fantastic creatures: With no legs, only muscles, these animals can jump high into the air, climb trees in a minute, strangle prey many times their size, move along the ground with incredible speed, and propel themselves through water. Some even have venom and camouflage that rival anything humans create. Snakes are thinking creatures, making decisions that keep themselves alive. I saw this diamondback water snake down a road in Texas at dusk. I was lazy and done for the day, with no intention of making any pictures. I left the vehicle to investigate, sure the animal would leave—but of course, it didn’t. After wasting precious light minutes with my iPhone, I realized I had my wide-angle macro lens with me. I switched mental gears and ...