Preston,
It's a beautiful Garter Snake (often mis-called a Garden Snake), named for the stripes running down the body that look like . .. yes, garters!
Not sure which sub-species. Have to check my field guide (Eastern Garters are plentiful, though). It's been centuries since I've ID'd snake species and sometimes it comes down to scale counts and other minutia. But he's a beauty.
I love this species of snake, and used to collect them when I was a child, in NY, NJ, NH, VT and GA. Harmless and beneficial, they eat icky garden pests.
REALLY glad to see them out and about in your area. It's a good sign for the ecosystem. Encourage them, provide right habitat, they are nothing but a blessing for the environment and your garden.
Nice capture!
