Looks like an eastern hognose to me, too, V. Their color can be variable, for sure, and that face is pretty distinctive, with the little upturned snout. They are quite heavy bodied for their length, and they can flatten their necks to make their heads look wider and more menacing. Great pictures. Nothing to worry about. Mostly, they eat toads, as you know. I think you have seen the regular ones on your property before, too, so it's good habitat. DEFINITELY NOT a cottonmouth. No wide brown cheek stripe. Totally different head. Even though the body color on some cottonmouths can be almost black like that, the rest isn't right. Enjoy your new buddy! Marcia

Terrific photos, GP! That skink did not go gently into that goodnight, did it? Loving both skinks and black racers, I couldn't take sides...like you say, it's just nature at work. Thanks for sharing. Marcia (ps...noticed the little gnome was bearing witness to the whole event...bet he sees a LOT of things going on in your yard!)

Thank you both for your replies. I think he/she was definitely a racer.

They are Black Rat Snakes, but as mentioned previously Frank was probably a Black Kingsnake. Anyhow explain to the neighbors that these guys are around because they have a plentiful food source which includes rodents (that destroy everything), baby rabbits (that destroy gardens), bats (which carry rabies), and birds (usually feeding on sparrows and wrens and other feral species). So tell them they can either deal with seeing the occasional snake, or deal with seeing a lot more of thier prey. A healthy adult Black Rat Snake can probably down up to 300 baby rodents in a spring and summer. Dave