On the handrail leading from the bridge over the dam at the Bass Pond, there is a fairly long black snake who just decided that this was the perfect spot to lounge. This snake is probably about 5 feet long and scared the living shit out of a woman who was approaching as I was taking this picture. She was running her hand along the rail completely oblivious to the reptile. Black snakes aren't poisonous but I am told that the bite is painful.

If I have a favorite tree at Biltmore it is this European Beech tree. It is huge and leafs out in purple in the spring, turns greenish during the summer and displays golds and oranges in the fall. It also is probably the most perfectly symmetrical tree I have ever seen. Amazing.

For about three weeks the azaleas put on a phenomenal display. Most are done now although there are some native species that continue to bloom into August.