Another local resident...
 

Found this guy just laying in the front lawn close to the porch. Looked to be about 4ft long or so. Picked him up and he was as mellow as could be. Had to walk him to the far end of the property so he wouldn't get into the bird feeders.

http://www.cornsnakes.com/pics/gray_rat_2011_001.jpg

Beautiful Gray Rat!

That's a neat way to find one!

"Mellow?"

Could that have been an escapee or someone's lost pet? The ones I have caught have always tried to do somersaults over their own backs, whip-arounds, whatever it took to be able to take a chunk out of me. lol

Nice find, love the pattern!