Yikes, triangular shaped headed snakes ARE poisonous, be careful. Possibly a copperhead? Here's a link on local snakes http://www.uga.edu/srel/snakebrochure.htm

please don't kill this harmless and most beneficial garter snake.

not all snakes that have triangular shaped heads are poisonous. It sounds like a garter snake as the stripes run down the back and not around the body.

I found two copperheads so far. I am trying to be extra careful. Now I do miss my cat.

I'm in Sandy Springs and neighbors have had several sightings of copperheads and one persone bitten while walking her dog. Hospital said they had dealt with more bites than normal so far this year, so be careful out there.

Thanks to DixieGarden's photo ID, the snake has been positively identified as a harmless garter snake.

I won't kill it, but I won't be sticking my hand under those juniper bushes either.

This is a good reminder that head shape is not a useful diagnostic for whether a snake is venomous or nonvenomous.

Knowing the patterns of snakes is the key and that is why it is good that you got a description of the color and pattern. It's definitely a garter snake as you have determined.

I'm glad you were able to get a positive id on it.

Thank you, too, for not killing the snake.

Oh I didn't know that snakes could be harmless with a triangular shaped head, but then shoot, I don't look that close,lol. Glad it turned out to be a "good" snake!!