A flash of neon green, bright against the dead dull leaves, drew the eye of a hiking companion on an autumn woodland trail.

The small snake seemed unaware of her glowing beauty and the visibility, as well as the vulnerability, of her striking appearance. She seemed unaware of us as well and continued her hunt as we gaped from above the forest floor.

I bent closer and she turned her pleasantly intent gaze in my direction, flicking her tiny tongue to taste my smell: food or foe?

Finding neither she turned back to her never-ending quest for food, leaving us with a green glowing memory that we share forever.