I know nothing about snakes. (other that eels) but what are these? They were sunning themselves by the rear entrance to my man cave.

Very nice harmless snakes, from the pics either bull snake or fox snakes. Leave them alone and they'll make sure you stay rodent/frog free. Any comment as to size? The pattern is not that of a garter snake but that is what the head is telling me.

Snakes...Why Did it Have to be Snakes

over time their bodies elongated
and they evolved into creatures that
use a different mode of motion to travel.

the only thing you have to keep an eye peeled for
is a triangular head which these obviously don't have

because then you can get bitten.........

but it's usually only when you didn't see them
and stepped on them

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/ravenob1/snakes.png

look like common water snakes. Are you near a pond?

Snakes...Why Did it Have to be Snakes

Asps.....very dangerous

Paint them black as good as an eel.

Looks like a water snake or a milk snake. Both non-venomous, although water snakes can bite if provoked.

Garter snakes are usually 2' or less long, and are generally black with a gold/yellow stripe on the flank. I have one about 18" long living in the brush next to our patio.

The kind that would make me board up my house and leave.....

Not a fan of snakes. I know they eat bugs etc, but just don't like them
I live in an area with woods and trees and have been fortunate not to see any here so far.

A snake got in our house one day.You should have seen the look on my son's face.