Looks like what I've always called a corn snake. SJ? Do you concur?
I agree -- I'm no snake expert, but that looks like a Corn Snake. (We used to call them Rat Snakes when I was a kid). I posted a photo of one I took last year, somewhere in my album. Go dig it up. Always do you own DD if you have any questions regarding whether it is venomous. Go check out some images of corn snakes, and note the descriptions and compare to yours. Note that snakes can sometimes look similar, but the difference could be deadly if you are not careful. Look closely at things like which color touches which band, etc.
Interesting you found one in your yard today. I was just about to post that the snakes are out and about. I saw a couple today. Almost stepped on one in Seaside, lying right in the middle of the sandy path near the beach. I did get a photo of it, but it's on my other puter and I'm too lazy to get to it right now.
