The rain and higher water presents some challenges. I didn't think I'd have to worry about this type of obstacle in the dark. He may not be hungry, but I'd kill myself trying to get away if I had stumbled over this lizard.
Memo to self: Large sidearm, Bowie knife.
Them ducks is wary. We now resume our regularly scheduled forum melee in progress.
The few I have seen over the years this late in the season have been remarkably agile even in cold temps. I know they say they don’t eat below a certain temp but I can’t help but think they may not take to kindly of someone stepping on them.
They may not need to eat at these temps, but I imagine if you pissed one off just right he'd have enough energy to bite, and once is all it would take to ruin a morning. Like the OP said, I'd die trying to run away.