Having your picture taken before school is a tradition that has been around for as long as photography has. Every year, children strike a pose to mark the start of a new school year. But sometimes, these pictures capture more than just smiles and excitement.

In Auburn, Alabama, a seventh-grade student named Brooke Mills had her back-to-school picture taken by her mother, ShaneJoy Mills. It was a sunny day, and they decided to take the picture in their yard, in front of a majestic tree. Little did they know, something unexpected was lurking in the background.

Usually, these yearly pictures are taken in the same location, allowing families to see how much their children have grown over the years. But when the Mills family looked closely at this particular picture, they noticed something out of the ordinary.

At first glance, it may be easy to miss it. After all, Brooke is beaming with joy and steals the show. But take a closer look, and you’ll spot a snake camouflaged on the tree behind them.

ShaneJoy, startled by the discovery, quickly took another picture and asked Brooke to smile with her teeth showing. It was then that she saw the snake. Concerned for their safety, she called Brooke over, insisting that they move away from the tree. Although she tried to keep her voice calm, her daughter was understandably confused.

The snake blended seamlessly with the tree, making it difficult to spot. According to commenters on social media, it’s likely a rat snake. While this unexpected guest gave them quite a fright, the Mills family will always remember this back-to-school picture for a different reason. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, we need to look closer to uncover hidden surprises in our everyday lives.