A newly emergent garter snake

It was warming up after a chilly start, and I was leading a small but enthusiastic group of hikers on a Great Circle exploration of Babcock Ridge. The goal, of course, was to convince people to join the Avalonia Land Conservancy, the very worthwhile organization attempting to preserve the property, and with any luck, I'd get some new members and maybe help with the fundraising effort. I'm not, however, supposed to be aggressive about the endeavor, and that's not my style anyway. Rather, my job, as I see it, is to help hikers fall in love with the Ridge—something I've certainly done—and, as a result, make them feel like giving money to prevent the land from falling into the hands of developers and to protect its natural citizenry. I hope this little Garter Snake, which had just come out of hibernation, piqued that interest and concern. The newly emergent reptile, which may have spent the winter under a log or a boulder, was happy to pose and warm itself on a lichen-covered rock. It paid little notice to us and didn't even seem upset by the presence of an admirably well-behaved dog.