Down Periscope

We got a new lens for the camera.  I was testing it out in the yard.  Then, the battery died.  As I walked back inside, I saw what looked like a metal rod rise out of the ground.  It reminded me of that scene in Empire Strikes Back, where the drone on Hoth, frozen planet, rises its antenna.  I walked over to investigate.   What was it? It was our neighborhood snake.  I guess it was sticking up its head to survey its surroundings.  Due to the dead camera, I could not take a picture.