I have fun trying to id snakes from pics! I spent hours going through the kingsnake.com what kind of snake is this thread. The red stripe does look like a ribbon, but it appears too short and thick to be a ribbon so that's why I said northwestern! Now im wondering about the wanderings though the one looks like a sierra garter. I am leaving tomorrow to go on vacation for a week so have fun with this one. I'm sure you will have better pics and info by then!