A ratsnake moving through my yard was not what I expected while photographing birds from my deck. At first, I thought I was looking at a dark branch that had fallen.
Then I brought the camera up and saw the shape clearly. It was a ratsnake moving through the yard.
Ratsnake Moving Through My Yard With Purpose
This ratsnake seemed focused on getting somewhere.
It moved through the low plants with a steady pace and did not seem bothered by me. I left the deck, walked into the yard, and started photographing it as it passed through.
At one point, I got in front of it from a short distance away. The snake kept coming straight toward me. I stood there long enough to make a few photos and a short video, then moved out of its path.
It looked like it might crawl right over me if I stayed there.
The dark body, pale throat, and barred-looking face all fit the ratsnake look I am used to seeing around my place. I am keeping the identification broad here and calling it a ratsnake.
The tongue flicks were easy to see in a few frames. Snakes use that motion to sample chemical cues around them, and this one was doing plenty of checking as it moved.
Last June, the birds tipped me off that a ratsnake was nearby. I wrote about that encounter here: A Ratsnake Encounter in My Yard.
This time, the birds did not give me any warning.
Photographing a Ratsnake Moving Through Grass
I started out on the deck, but the better photos came after I stepped into the yard.
Getting lower helped bring the snake’s face level with the camera. That made the head-on photos stronger and gave the scene a more direct feel.
I photographed this by hand while keeping enough distance to stay out of the snake’s way. The 500 mm focal length helped me fill the frame without crowding it.
Camera settings for the first photo:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark 2
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Focal length: 500 mm
- Aperture: f/10
- Shutter speed: 1/800 second
- ISO: 2500
- Exposure compensation: 0
- Support: Hand-held
- Date and time: April 25, 2026, at 01:40 P.M.
Why This Quiet Snake Encounter Stood Out
This was a simple backyard encounter, but it held my attention.
I had been watching for birds, and this ratsnake slipped into the scene without a sound. It moved past me, stayed on course, and disappeared under my storage building.
That is one thing I enjoy about watching wildlife from home. Sometimes the best subject is not the one I was waiting for.
Identification Note: I am calling this snake a ratsnake in the post, but it is probably a Western Ratsnake. You can read more about this species on the Herps of Arkansas Western Ratsnake page.