Northern Water Snake on Leech Lake

On a weekend in mid August we experienced a variety of cottage wild life. On Saturday morning early I watched three Otters cavort and fish off our dock. Occasionally one or two would pop up on our dock and use it as their latrine.

On Saturday evening we were going to have a fire so I went to prepare the fire pit. I was rustling the papers around in the pit when all of a sudden something flashed out of the pit past my feet. I was startled! It was a blackish grey snake that was more than 2' but less than 3' long. The creature did not scurry away but lay on the rocks adjacent to the pit. When we became accustomed to each other I proceeded to start the fire. When it  became uncomfortable because of the heat, I presume, it took to the water and headed for our neighbour's cove.

The next day the snake was back and again around our fire pit. After reading up on the Northern Water Snake on the internet I assumed it was so docile because it may have been shedding its skin or because it was digesting its latest meal. Below is a url that will give information about the Northern Water Snake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_water_snake

Here are pictures of our/your snake