Today I found this guy (or I would assume girl considering its size).

I've released it now, but I'm still confused on what type of garter it is. I thought northern garter at first but she is soooo red. I know they can be very red, but she looks so much like a dull California red-sided garter. They aren't native though, so she must be northern.

Whatever it is, it's very pretty to me. Never caught one like it before. It was very angry at me, though, and was striking quite a lot. Poor thing, I accidently dropped it onto some bricks as I was trying to avoid being bitten. It seemed to be okay, though. It also had a cool scar going up its belly (not from the bricks just in case you were wondering).

Now I will proceed to wash my hands a thousand times over until I get the smell of musk off me. Garters are pretty, but they sure do stink >.<