This time it was a 40" Texas Rat Snake. It was laying amongst the
daisies and got disturbed by my weeding. It then slithered casually off
and waited for me to leave. These are reported to get 6ft. or so and be
quite ornery if pestered.

They can get as ornery with any local mice or rats as they want :-)

I also read they will diet on geckos and anoles of which we have armies
of around here. We were looking at an anole sunning itself on the fence
that is covered with crossvine and suddenly realized there were about 6
basking on the leaves watching us.