The first two patch-nosed snakes I had seen were under rocks and reasonably sluggish. This third one was basking on a dirt road, and not sluggish at all. I got this one photo before it shot off into the desert.

We chose to visit Big Bend in late April in the hopes that it would be warm enough for some reptilian activity but cool enough that our dogs could enjoy the trip also. It seems that this is a little too early for much nocturnal snake activity, and the only animals I saw on the road at night were javelinas, bunnies, and squashed collared lizards and round-tailed horned lizards. But shortly before the night I did see this fine fellow doing its kinky-outline thing on the warm pavement.