Seems to be a young male, Very cute.
Crawling on the rocky steps of Douthat Lodge.
I was surprised to see how big this kiddo is. I'll go back out tomorrow and measure based on the last photo to get an idea of how big it is. That is if it hasn't claimed the spot for sunbathing tomorrow.
Out by pool. Heard a plop next to large loblolly pine. 3+ foot rat snake fell from at least 25 feet. No apparent injuries. Let it go in horse pasture.
The temperature was in the low 60s when I was on the Smith River Trail. While nearing the end of the trail I spotted movement in the leaves. I found this eastern rat snake, scientific name is Pantherophis obsoletus. I could easily identify this snake because of it's coloring since the eastern rat snake is solid black on top and white on its under belly.