Not a garter snake.

I’m not from your side of the world, but to my eye that looks like a fox snake.

If so, a harmless species that might eat your mice.

edit: it looks like the fox snake doesn’t range into C. NY, so maybe an Eastern Milksnake.

Lucky you to have snakes in the garden.

Thank you, iochroma — I do think I see a black outline on the darker blotches, which would agree with Eastern Milksnake. I’ve heard of Milksnakes before but thought they were very large, not skinny and long like this guy!

floral, for all the snakes and neighborhood cats that hang around my house, you’d think I wouldn’t have any chipmunks in the yard or mice come into the house, but I do. I think they’re all lazy. lol!

“…but thought they were very large…”

They do start off small. ;-)

tj

I enjoy having plenty of garter snakes in the garden, some visitors sure do get freaked out though upon seeing them, lol.