I keep on saying I need to get a sticker for the mower that says "I brake for vertebrates" - every time I mow I either have to wait on garter snakes or amphibians (both toads & some form of common frog).

The amphibians seem not as prevalent this year, though on warm nights I do have to do toad patrol before the older dogs go out -- they seem to think the toads will do in lieu of sheep.

Snakes have never been my freak-thing, unless I cannot identify the species. I know what most of the non-poisonous species look like, but have an unfortunate dearth of knowledge regarding the venomous type -- If I can't recognize it, I won't approach.

The picture is much more up close than I was -- the miracles of even a cheap zoom lense. These Garter snakes are quiet skittish.