Which Snake Am I?

I saw this fella while on our visit in North Carolina. I've had some difficulty making a positive ID, but I think I've narrowed it down to either a Northern Water Snake or a Brown Water Snake. The Brown Water Snake supposedly doesn't inhabit the part of NC where we were, but I know better than to place barriers on Ma Nature. I'm leaning toward a Northern Water Snake and if anyone knows for sure, please confirm or correct me. Maybe it's not either one.

Linking to Camera Critters

Snakes In The Grass

Earlier this month, my daughter and I spotted a couple of Garter snakes slinking around by the back fence. No doubt they were brought out by the unusually warm temperatures and sunshine. They tolerated some photos for a few minutes and then slithered off.

Linking to Camera Critters