In my meeting, Michelle asked me to come outside. A blackish snake with dark markings. It happened all so fast I didn’t get a picture.

As i stepped outside, Kaatje said she heard a squeal. As we moved some tall grass, sure enough there it was, coiled around a mouse. I pushed it into a bucket and crossed the road to release it. As I carried it, it was rattling its tail. He was a good size too, width of a banana.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantherophis_gloydi
Amazing to think we saw it alive in nature, since it’s an endangered species in Ontario (the Carolina population).

I went back 5 minutes later with the camera and it was gone.

BTW – Michelle is VERY happy to have this wonderful specimen in our own backyard. Home schooling at its best.