Serpent in the Garden

While moving piles of dirt around the yard on Saturday I was surprised by the sudden appearance of a rather large snake. It quickly slithered under the shrubbery by our front gate, but I was able to peer through the branches and get a decent look. Its color was bluish-gray with some lighter speckling and a pale belly. Although definitely of the non-venemous type, it was clearly agitated, and shook the tip of its tail in warning. I've seen Gopher Snakes engage in this sort of mimicry before. I tried to prod it out into the open to get a picture, but it darted between my feet and away across the driveway at high speed.

Consulted the literature, and based on coloration, shape, and behavior I've identified it as a Buttermilk Racer, Coluber constrictor anthicus. So I get another addition to my herps list, and a cool new species for the yard. Too bad the neighbors kill every snake they encounter - if they weren't so keen on exterminating them I'd probably see more around here.