FW's backyard herping adventures (pic heavy)

[FWK]

First off, a couple disclaimers: Not everything I post here with be strictly herps or necessarily in my actual backyard. Most will be herp related or at least non-herp finds while herping. Snakes are my passion but I love all kinds of wildlife and even plants so all sorts of things will show up here. I'll try to ID critters by common name at least, I'm not to big on scientific names and when I do use scientific names it's usually just the genius. I do know the scientific names for venomous reptiles in my area for obvious reasons but that's about it. I'm pretty good with local snakes and lizards but amphibians and other critters I may not be able to properly ID. Y'all feel free to let me know if I mislabel anything (or don't label it at all) and I'll fix it and give credit where due. I'll probably ask for help pretty often really.

My house sits on a little five acre chunk of land that is mostly covered with brush. I've got trails cut all through it, it's my own little nature preserve. There is a reasonable variety of wildlife present or at least occasionally passing though. The only thing really missing is the water loving critters. One of these days I'm going to rent a backhoe and dig out a pond. A few years ago I had the foolhardy idea I would dig out a pond by hand. I dug out a twenty by ten foot section but only about a foot deep. That clay is tough stuff lol. I will note the general location of the finds if they are not in my backyard (at one of the local lakes, neighbors property, etc.). I bought my first camera just six months ago and do not claim to be a photographer, amateur or otherwise. But I have been very much enjoying learning the basics. Hopefully one of these days I'll get something nicer than a canon powershot lol. So, for your entertainment and my own recollection, I'll document my backyard herping adventures here.

To set the stage a bit here are few "habitat shots" from my backyard.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2141.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2141.jpg.html)

Some old rotting wood. Bit of tin in there too. Texas Brown Snake heaven.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2156.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2156.jpg.html)

This is Texas so naturally cactus is found at random.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3234.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3234.jpg.html)

Some junk left by the previous owners. That's an old washer in the middle there lol. There are a few old junk piles on the property and I pretty sure a lot of it was dumped by people in the neighborhood behind my land. Most of it makes for good flippable habitat so I'm not going to complain.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3222.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3222.jpg.html)

Concrete rubble from some sort of building demolished long ago.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3228.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3228.jpg.html)

One of my tin spots.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3048.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3048.jpg.html)

This friendly little Texas Rat Snake hopes y'all come back to visit. Much more to come.

[aaron_cg]

Nice shot of the Texas Rat. I have one in my collection with that attitude.

Haven't been down to Victoria in a few years, really need to get back down there.

[FWK]

Thanks. Texas Rats sure can be a handful but at least for the most part they seem to calm down quite a bit age, although most I've handled are still nippy even as adults. I have worked with a few who never offered to bite and many who seemed determined to rip my fingers off lol. This particular little guy made a concerted effort to remove a few of my fingers. A while back I flipped a board and found an adult Texas Rat and a Ribbon Snake. The Texas Rat was closest so I grabbed it with my left hand and then lunged after the Ribbon. The Ribbon vanished into the grass so I turned my attention back to the Texas Rat who, to my dismay, had blood running down its neck. Horrified that I had injured the animal I searched for the wound but found nothing. Then I realized that the Snake had bitten my thumb and I was bleeding all over the snake. I've never been so happy see my own blood lol.

[sharthun]

Awesome! I jealous! I would love to have some land like that! Cool Texas Rat!

[FWK]

Thanks Steve, nothing like having decent herping territory literally in your own backyard. One day I'd like to have a few hundred acres with access to water but that's probably a couple decades down the road. Pinching pennies in the meantime. That little Texas Rat was a fireball, loved to bite lol.

[sharthun]

Thanks Steve, nothing like having decent herping territory literally in your own backyard. One day I'd like to have a few hundred acres with access to water but that's probably a couple decades down the road. Pinching pennies in the meantime. That little Texas Rat was a fireball, loved to bite lol.

They are cool snakes for sure. The last one I found tried to eat me lol

[aaron_cg]

Mines a sub adult, probably 3 to 4 feet in length and I swear thinks it's an elapid. Lots a bluffs, and a few successful strikes every now and again.

One of my favorites in my oldest ion to work with.

[SnoopySnake]

Love that pic of the rat snake, looks like he wants to give you a kiss, haha ;)

[Teal]

Gorgeous terrain! I can't wait to see what else you post!

[Tsubaki]

Damn, and all i can find if i'm lucky is some amphibians.. That last picture is awesome!

[FWK]

Thanks y'all.

[FWK]

Spring/Early summer 2014 backyard herping report.

Warning! Major picture dump incoming. Seriously, a few dozen pictures coming your way. You have been warned. It will take me a while to get them all up so bear with me.

[FWK]

First up, the exoskeleton critters.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1082.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1082.jpg.html)

Dragonflies! I love dragonflies. They come in an incredible array of colors and patterns and they are so photogenic, always posing so beautifully for the camera. I really think this picture could have been wallpaper worthy had it been taken with a better camera. My little powershot is capable of up to 30x optical zoom but the image quality really goes out the window the more zoom I use.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1902.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1902.jpg.html)

Another Dragonfly on on a log.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3041.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3041.jpg.html)

Hanging from a twig in a bush next to the house.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2428.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2428.jpg.html)

To aphids Godzilla is real. Lady Bug!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0349.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0349.jpg.html)

It's a big scary world from a beetles point of view. Love the deep purple trim on these guys.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0389.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0389.jpg.html)

David and Goliath. Somehow I don't think Goliath had much of a chance.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1178.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1178.jpg.html)

Lots of Black Widows in this part of the world. She's a momma. Beautiful critters. Look, but don't touch.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3106.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3106.jpg.html)

Cicada! These guys make an astonishing amount of noise 24 hours a day in the summer. I've lived in south Texas my whole life and I still marvel at just how much noise these guys make.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2446.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2446.jpg.html)

Giant freaking spiny grasshoppers! This is the only critter in this Spring/Early summer backyard herping report that was not found on my property. A friend found it at work and I took it home to snap some pics. It had an awesome threat display that I just couldn't catch on camera. If I poked it in the face with my finger it would flare up its stubby little wings and rear back to lift its front legs in the air into some sort of crazy kung fu pose. It had some big mandibles so it really was a bit intimidating lol.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0179.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0179.jpg.html)

Tons of these little guys around here, Striped Bark Scorpions. I've been stung by a few of these. It's a strange sensation, almost like a mild localized electric shock. Starts as a sharp zing and fades into a tingling or even numbness that can linger for days. Not as painful as you'd think, I'll take a hit from one of these over a paper wasp any day.

[FWK]

Alright, I know y'all are here to see some herps so I... BIRD!!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1908.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1908.jpg.html)

Hmm, some sort of falcon? Birders help me out with an ID here. As long as we are on the subject of birds...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1223.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1223.jpg.html)

This is another one I haven't been able to ID. My initial thought was some sort of warbler or flycatcher but google searches have not resulted in a match so I'll leave it up to y'all. Whatever they are I had a lot of fun watching them. This picture was taken as I hid behind a bush. I had seen this nest the day before and decided to see if I could sneak in close enough to get a shot of one of the adults when they came in to feed the little one. I hid behind a bush for a while and watched both of the adults come and go but failed to get a descent picture so I walked up to the nest and took a couple shots of the little one while the adults were away. One of those shots is below. Then I sat down behind a much closer bush and waited. Before long one of them swooped in and fed the hatchling. Before taking off again it paused for a moment on the twig, finally affording me an opportunity to get a shot. I hit the shutter button and took a rapid series of pictures. This was the last shot, the shot that captured the moment the bird spotted me and began to screech at me. It squawked until its mate showed up and joined in complaining at me. I got up and walked away. And they followed lol. A good thirty minutes they followed me all around my property screeching at me from the trees.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1245.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1245.jpg.html)

The little one mentioned above.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1343.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1343.jpg.html)

The same hatchling just three days later. Almost ready to leave the nest.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_16031.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_16031.jpg.html)

Every year a pair of Cardinals nest on my front porch.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1201.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1201.jpg.html)

Four big eggs.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1575.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1575.jpg.html)

And now four big hungry mouths! Mom and Dad must be busy.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1670.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1670.jpg.html)

The day before they fledged. Now that's a full house.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1801.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1801.jpg.html)

The next day I'm making breakfast when I hear a commotion on the front porch. All four fledglings are out of the nest! They are scattered everywhere. Mom and Dad are trying to gather them in a bush around the side of the house. You can see the tail feathers are the last to develop.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1851.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1851.jpg.html)

Dad leading a little one to safety.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1746.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1746.jpg.html)

Turkey Vulture! On the ground, hiding under a bush! Can only mean one thing.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1357.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1357.jpg.html)

Turkey Vulture egg!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1748.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1748.jpg.html)

This picture didn't turn out great but it is NOT easy to get this close to a brooding Turkey Vulture. I had made a couple attempts in the weeks before only to have her take off long before I got close. So on this occasion I hit the ground behind another bush some twenty yards out and belly crawled through the brush until I reached her front door. She didn't know I was coming until it was to late and I was basically cutting off her only way out of the briar patch she was brooding in. She looked at me for a moment then hid her head. I wish she had looked at me for just a moment longer because I lit her up with flash for the next shot and it came out much better. Oh well. I didn't try to get this close to her again because I didn't want to stress her out to much.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2193.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2193.jpg.html)

I checked on her from a distance just about every day and about two and a half weeks after taking her close-ups I found this little guy. A day old at best.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2237.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2237.jpg.html)

As I crawled a bit closer he turned to face me and hissed. So ugly it's cute!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2241.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2241.jpg.html)

But the little one was sleepy and his head began to droop...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2242.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2242.jpg.html)

And droop until plop! He just couldn't hold it up anymore. Absolutely adorable.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2345.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2345.jpg.html)

About ten days old here and growing very fast. He is giving me a full threat display here. Arching his back and hanging his head and fuzzy little wings low, hissing all the while.

[FWK]

How about some warm and fuzzy critters?

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0120.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0120.jpg.html)

I found a rather suspect hole in the ground one day. It went down about a foot then turned a disappeared from view. I stuck my camera down the hole and hit the shutter. When I looked at the picture I saw the beady little eyes of an Opossum looking back at me!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3193.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3193.jpg.html)

A squirrel snoozes in a tree on a very hot south Texas afternoon.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3120.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3120.jpg.html)

Three fawns! A terrible picture I know, it was pitch black and the on board flash on my little camera just wasn't strong enough to light up the whole yard. But they are somewhat visible. White-Tailed Deer come through my backyard most every night.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2640.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2640.jpg.html)

Bunnies! Everybody loves bunnies. Tons of Cottontails around here.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2642.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2642.jpg.html)

Om nom nom. Tasty grass.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2635.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2635.jpg.html)

I think it sees me.

[FWK]

Alright alright, it is about time for Herps!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2537.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2537.jpg.html)

Frogs and toads are pretty uncommon on my land so I get excited whenever I find one. I have some Texas holey rock in my flower beds that I flip regularly. Every now and again I find some sort of frog under them but in this case I found a frog in the rock! I really have no clue what species it is but there you have it. I was using a flashlight to put some light on it through a hole in front of the frog and snapped the shot from the side. The frog immediately backed deeper into the hole and out of sight.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2736.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2736.jpg.html)

This little thing was found under the holey rock. Again really not sure as to the species. I had quite a bit of fun with him. He was hoping all over the place, did not want to sit still and have his picture taken. A couple bloopers are below.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2751.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2751.jpg.html)

Well I got most of him...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2735.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2735.jpg.html)

This one literally made me lol.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1855.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1855.jpg.html)

In the spring there is a male Green Anole for every wall and corner of my house. This one has claimed the fence next to my garage door.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2091.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2091.jpg.html)

And this one thinks my A/C unit is his castle.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2104.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2104.jpg.html)

I tried to sneak up for a closer shot but he saw me coming.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2772.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2772.jpg.html)

And another sleeping in a bush. Such graceful critters.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2589.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2589.jpg.html)

Little Brown Skink. These are extremely common around here. It is not unusual to find one or two under just about every rock, log, tin, or whatever else I happen flip.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1594.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1594.jpg.html)

Lots of Texas Spiny Lizard around here too but they are much harder to catch. Very alert and very fast. This guy ran along the walls of my house as easily as I would run across an open field.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3201.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3201.jpg.html)

And another running up a tree. You can just see the faint orange and blue striping on its belly.

[FWK]

SSNAKESS!!

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Texas Brown Snake. I love these little guys but they can be hard to find. It is weird, on my property I find Texas Brown Snakes but no Rough Earth Snakes. Were I work, just some twelve miles away, I find Rough Earth Snakes but no Texas Brown Snakes. Natural light here.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/TexasBrown.png (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/TexasBrown.png.html)

Natural light close up.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2765.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2765.jpg.html)

I love this shot. In situ at night with flash.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1500.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1500.jpg.html)

Texas Blind Snake! I usually see only a few of these a year, almost always after a heavy rain. I tried to get a natural looking shot of this guy but he was straight up freaking out as long as he wasn't under some sort of cover. I was worried he was going to get hurt so I gave up and put him in a little clear container so I could get a shot of him. The penny was just for size reference.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3002.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3002.jpg.html)

Rough Green Snake. There is a very strong population of these guys in my backyard. Easily one of the most common herps in my yard. And this is the easiest way to find them, sleeping in a bush after dark. During the warmer months I see at least a half dozen on any given night, it is not uncommon to see as many as a couple dozen on a good night.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2982.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2982.jpg.html)

They are often very curious about the camera, particularly if I've been handling insects.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2313.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2313.jpg.html)

A natural light close up. This guy fell out of a tree right in front of me onto a piece of tin with a surprisingly loud BONG! I think he wanted his picture taken.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0695.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0695.jpg.html)

This was the first Texas Rat Snake of the year. I flipped him under that tin in the background. He was a joy to work with, never offered to bite or become defensive. He was very curious about the camera and tried to climb on my head. He was so eager to check out the camera I couldn't really get a good shot of him lol. Look at those big eyes! Those big, slightly out of focus eyes!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0714.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0714.jpg.html)

Posing on the tin I found him under. Still a bit out of focus. I only had the camera a few weeks at this point and I was trying to learn the basics of manual mode.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0758.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0758.jpg.html)

Close up of his scales. You can see hints of orange skin beneath the scales.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3064.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3064.jpg.html)

This is the same angry little Texas Rat Snake that is in the original post. I put him under my hat for a moment trying to calm him down but as you can see he still has his jaw spread. I found him about ten feet up a tree shortly before dusk. The sun is setting in the background and it is getting pretty dim.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3063.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3063.jpg.html)

Here he is again but with flash to bring out his colors. I'm a bit disappointed with the Rat Snake finds this year, normally I'll see at least five or six on my property by June but this year has been pretty lean with just two. Hopefully the rest of the year will be better.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2829.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2829.jpg.html)

Schott's Whipsnake! 58 inches of classic Whipsnake attitude. It chewed on my hand constantly but I was so happy to have it in hand I didn't care. I don't see to many of these and when I do see them unless I find them in a wide open area so I can run them down or if I manage to sneak up on them they are next to impossible to catch. Flipping one is like finding gold. This one I was lucky enough to sneak up on. I spotted it from a good thirty yards away as it was crossing a trail. I froze until it stuck its head into a patch of grass. I stepped as lightly as I could until I was almost within striking distance when it suddenly shot into the brush. I think it felt my heart pounding. I dove after it and snagged it by the tail. It whipped around and came at my face but got hung on a twig. By the time it untangled itself enough to take a shot at my face I was back on my feet and had it under control. This is a close up with flash, I love its eye.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2847.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2847.jpg.html)

Natural light. Was getting pretty late, the sun is setting off to the right were the snake is looking.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2926.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2926.jpg.html)

I tried to get it to calm down enough for some sort of body shot but it just wasn't having it so I put it in an empty ice chest for a couple minutes until it coiled up. I think the white background worked out alright.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3347.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3347.jpg.html)

Ah, I'd recognize that friendly face anywhere. This is one whose scientific name I do have committed to memory. Crotalus atrox, the world famous Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Whats more Texan than a Rattlesnake? Some people even call them Texas Rattlesnakes. I approve.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3333.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3333.jpg.html)

A couple natural light shots. Right side.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3313.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3313.jpg.html)

Left side. There is an photo bomber in this shot that cracked me up. Can you see it? It's a very large Robber Fly.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3337.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3337.jpg.html)

And a bit of flash to bring out the pattern on the side of its head.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3345.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3345.jpg.html)

It really didn't want to pose for the camera. It hardly got defensive, only rattled when I pinned its head to pick it up and never did go into that classic Rattlesnake threat display. Mostly it just tried to run. These are very rare finds on my land, I was disappointed it wouldn't put on a better show. Just a thirty minute drive away are saltgrass tidelands on the gulf coast that is home to an astonishingly dense population of these guys. Hopefully I'll get a chance to run down there soon and see if I can't get some better shots.

[FWK]

And finally, I've posted these two shots before but they are a part of this report so to have everything in one place I'll include them.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/Guesswhatsheisdoing.png (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Guesswhatsheisdoing.png.html)

The egg laying Texas Spiny Lizard.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/Photobomb.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Photobomb.jpg.html)

And the Rough Green Snake photo bombing the shedding Green Anole.

I hope y'all enjoyed checking out this report, I know I had a blast working with the critters to put it together. Thanks for looking.

[Teal]

OHMYGAWD turkey vulture hatchliiiiiiiiing!! Amazing shots all around... how wonderful to live in such a place! Your photos make me miss my hometown and its abundant wildlife.

[sharthun]

Now I'm really jealous FW! Awesome place and animals! Thanks for sharing!!

[EL Ziggy]

Great photos FWK. Very impressive captures.

[SnoopySnake]

Awesome pictures! Too many to name the ones I liked best, haha.

[FWK]

Thanks, glad y'all like them.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4527.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4527.jpg.html)

The searing heat and slow herping of July and August is finally over and baby herp season is in full swing! September in my backyard always means lots of tiny scaly critters about but this year I've had a rather unique opportunity to work closely with quite a few hatchling Rough Green Snakes as they begin the dangerous and unpredictable journey that is life. I'll be putting together a whole series of pictures on the little guys when the herping season is done. Stay tuned!

[sharthun]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4527.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4527.jpg.html)

The searing heat and slow herping of July and August is finally over and baby herp season is in full swing! September in my backyard always means lots of tiny scaly critters about but this year I've had a rather unique opportunity to work closely with quite a few hatchling Rough Green Snakes as they begin the dangerous and unpredictable journey that is life. I'll be putting together a whole series of pictures on the little guys when the herping season is done. Stay tuned!

Very Cool! Thanks for sharing!

[bigsnakegirl785]

So many awesome pictures, I would have a field day in a place like that. lol

[marvelfreak]

Wow some amazing photo's

[shaunyboy]

Wow some amazing photo's

^^^^^
what he said

wow mate just wow.....!!!


you have some amazing wildlife in your back yard,the Black Widows would scare the crap out me though :sorry::shocked:

many thanks for sharing

cheers shaun

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4888.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4888.jpg.html)

To celebrate the official first day of Fall here is a brand new baby Texas Rat Snake! I'll have more on these little ones later on as well. I wish I could figure out how to share this in its full size and definition. I've got it set as my wallpaper right now, the little guy just jumps out of the frame.

[sharthun]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4888.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4888.jpg.html)

To celebrate the official first day of Fall here is a brand new baby Texas Rat Snake! I'll have more on these little ones later on as well. I wish I could figure out how to share this in its full size and definition. I've got it set as my wallpaper right now, the little guy just jumps out of the frame.

Awesome snake and shot FWK!

[Little Wise Owl]

Holy crap this is amazing. I'm super jealous of all the herps you get to see. Not much variety up here in Canada.

[Akuma223]

Holy shiet thats some amazing stuff there, I'm wicked jealous!!

[FWK]

Well sadly my 2014 herping year is just about over but fortunately the off season is pretty short down here in south Texas, the first finds of the 2015 season are just a few months away. I fell short of a few goals but overall my first year with a camera turned out alright. A lot of pictures coming over the next posts including a couple projects with hatchling snakes I put a lot of time into. First up are a few finds from exploring the local lakes and river in the kayak. Hope ya'll enjoy.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5686.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5686.jpg.html)

The view from my kayak as the sun sets over my favorite local lake at the start of a night of moonlit Bass fishing. Well, I had every intention of fishing all night but then I saw a frog...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5721.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5721.jpg.html)

Juvie Bull Frog in situ.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5767.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5767.jpg.html)

This shot was taken from roughly eight feet away. Every shot I took of these guys (there were at least several dozen in this shallow cove) from any reasonable distance I got this weird reflection in the eyes.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5770.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5770.jpg.html)

Another juvie. There were a few adults around as well but they were very camera shy. They'd dive into the water if I came within twenty feet. I really wanted to get up close and personal with an adult, I'm always amazed by their sheer mass.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5755.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5755.jpg.html)

Green Tree Fog! I saw these in great numbers as a kid but these days they are hard to find around here. Those darn Mediterranean House Geckos are everywhere now.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5212.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5212.jpg.html)

A Red Eared Slider posing begrudgingly on the bow of my very yellow kayak.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5169.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5169.jpg.html)

That beautiful green eye.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5254.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5254.jpg.html)

I think this is a juvie Blanchard's Cricket Frog. It was flipped under that tire on the left there.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4628.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4628.jpg.html)

The omnipresent and somewhat ominous Vultures.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4627.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4627.jpg.html)

Patrolling the shore. My poor camera struggling at max zoom lol.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4633.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4633.jpg.html)

A couple deer on the opposite bank.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4672.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4672.jpg.html)

Blue Clam shells, in situ, natural light.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4814.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4814.jpg.html)

A Water Scorpion prowling the algae congested shallows.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4842.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4842.jpg.html)

A freshly metamorphosed Dragonfly.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4828.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4828.jpg.html)

More of what I think are Blanchard's Cricket Frogs. This little guy was singing his heart out perched high on his throne of a boulder.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4686.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4686.jpg.html)

I very nearly stepped on this one.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4804.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4804.jpg.html)

A prey item eludes its predator by resting on its predators very backside. Both are completely oblivious I'm sure.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4717.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4717.jpg.html)

A future frog hanging out with Pond Snails.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4795.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4795.jpg.html)

My old friend, the Water Moccasin, peers over the rocks at my camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4769.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4769.jpg.html)

Showing me why it's commonly called a Cottonmouth.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4841.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4841.jpg.html)

This one took me by surprise. I was walking along the shore when I spotted a frog. I squatted down to get a couple shots of the frog and when I stood back up to walk further up the shore this Moccasin had slithered out of the brush just a few feet up the shore from me. We both froze momentarily, then I scolded it for sneaking up on me before snapping a shot. When I looked down at the camera to adjust the settings a bit it decided it had seen enough and spun around to disappear back into the brush.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5427.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5427.jpg.html)

Blotched Water Snake! These guys are much harder to find than Moccasins in my neck of the woods and much better at evading capture. If you let them get to the water they dive and vanish. Moccasins stay on top of the water and are easy to follow. At night when they can't see you Moccasins will often just swim out a ways in a lazy half circle and come right back to the shore.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5514.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5514.jpg.html)

Posed on the log. Note that it is missing the tip on its tail.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5546.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5546.jpg.html)

Newborn Blotched Water Snake! I had been herping all night with little luck so I decided to stop and eat, beaching my kayak about 2am on a little island in the middle of the river to stretch my legs. I walked a quick lap of the island and seeing nothing I went back to the kayak to grab my sandwich from the cooler. I stepped around in front of the kayak to rinse my hands off in the river when I saw this little one in the water. I immediately dropped my flashlight and dove into the water after the colorful little fellow, which was completely unnecessary as he was in only an inch or so of water. But this was the first neonate Blotched I had seen this year and no way was he getting away lol. I had very little luck in the Water Snake department this year despite many hours invested and a few all nighters in the kayak. After so many fruitless trips this little guy was a real treat.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3803.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3803.jpg.html)

Near the end of July I found a new (to me) trash pile near my back fence line that had been hidden in a very large wild rose hedge thicket for at least a few years. It looked as though one of my neighbors did some remodeling and tossed their scrap over the fence. Under a few layers of drywall, plywood and tin I found an old half rotten tarp and as I pulled it up it suddenly ripped and these tiny little eggs scattered everywhere. There was no way I could reconstruct the tarp in a way I would feel confident they would be safe so I gathered them up and incubated them at about 80 degrees. There were three separate clutches, nineteen eggs candled good and one was a slug. I really wasn't sure exactly what they were at first and given the noticeable difference in size and shape of the three clutches I really thought there might be a chance there was at least a couple different species of snake. The most likely suspect was Rough Green Snakes but only time would tell. Six weeks later I came home to see the first of the little green critters pipping so outside we went to a spot I had prepared near where they were found.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3979.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3979.jpg.html)

A couple days later I came home to the second clutch hatching and outside we went again. I have the eggs marked now because when I took the first clutch out the eggs started to separate and I didn't want to accidentally set one down upside down.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4001.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4001.jpg.html)

You know I had to get hands on with the little ones at some point, they were so cute I could hardly stand it. They were eager to climb so before removing the eggs that were pipping or had yet to start I just put my hand over the tub and immediately all four that had already hatched came aboard.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4030.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4030.jpg.html)

This little one seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4041.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4041.jpg.html)

He made a beeline for some dead grass at the base of a bush and started to coil up under that red leaf...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4088.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4088.jpg.html)

And posed for one of the best photo-ops of the whole project.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4514.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4514.jpg.html)

Two more days later and the last clutch hatched. A total of nineteen Rough Green Snakes. I followed them as long as I could but they became increasingly difficult to find with each day that passed. Within a week I was lucky to find a two or three a day and even then I really had no way of knowing if I was seeing the ones I hatched or not. I spent a huge amount of time on it nonetheless and took hundreds of pictures, some of my favorites are next.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5385.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5385.jpg.html)

Peering down at me from its perch well over my head.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5001.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5001.jpg.html)

Could easily be mistaken for a part of that plant.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4977.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4977.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4231.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4231.jpg.html)

Mustache!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4469.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4469.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3660.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3660.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4435.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4435.jpg.html)

Doing its best GTP impersonation.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4321.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4321.jpg.html)

In the limelight.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4247.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4247.jpg.html)

That speck of dust lol!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4186.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4186.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4162.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4162.jpg.html)

This is exactly why you don't play hide and seek with a snake. They cheat.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4139.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4139.jpg.html)

Tongue acrobatics.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3664.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3664.jpg.html)

This one is almost gold in color.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4458.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4458.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4221.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4221.jpg.html)

I saved the best for last. I can't decide which of these last two shots is my favorite. This shot has convinced me I need a camera with a remote flash. I often use a flashlight to fill in shots but naturally it is a different temperature than the flash so it is very hard to get right. This is one of the times it just came out beautifully.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4249.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4249.jpg.html)

There is a wonderful symmetry to this shot.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4541.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4541.jpg.html)

This was my first 2014 Texas Rat Snake. I spotted it by shinning a flashlight though my bedroom window into the bushes outside (yeah, I herp from inside my house quite a bit. And I'm pretty sure my neighbors think I'm nuts lol). I grabbed my camera and sprinted out the back door to catch the little guy. He grabbed ahold of my finger and tried to bite my nose so I took the opportunity to snap a shot of the tenacious little devil. But it was so warm and humid outside that my cameras lens fogged up and this rather ghostly image was the result.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3891.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3891.jpg.html)

I took him inside and tried to get a shot of him on a black background. I'd never tried this before and it only came out so-so. Definitely need more light.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4891.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4891.jpg.html)

One evening after getting home from work I decided to do some quick herping so I grabbed a flashlight and my camera and headed out the back door. And that's about as far as I got. As the door swung open I heard a little Plop! and looking down I saw this little guy. So he and I had a little photo session. When we were done I put him back on the side of the house close to the door and I'll be darn if not three feet on the other side of the door halfway up the side of the house there was another baby Texas Rat Snake, probably his sibling. I peeled him off the wall and put him on the same "set" for a few shots. If you look closely at this and the next few shots you should be able the tell the deference between the two. Look closely at the band across the eyes and the markings on the lips. I posted a shot of one of these two as a teaser earlier in the thread.



http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4933.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4933.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4896.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4896.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4937.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4937.jpg.html)

Those big brown eyes.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5094.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5094.jpg.html)

The Texas Rat Snake finds picked up quite a bit in the second half of the year and this guy was one of my favorites on the year. He was probably about twelve feet up the tree when I first saw him. When I started standing on my tiptoes and holding the camera as high as I could in an attempt to get a shot of him he actually began to work his way down the tree to investigate the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5073.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5073.jpg.html)

He slowly worked his way down to roughly six feet from the ground, tongue flicking furiously at the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5108.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5108.jpg.html)

He stayed about six feet high moving from branch to branch, investigating the camera and I from many angles. Once he was satisfied the camera was not edible he headed back up the tree. Note the independently dilated pupils.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3558.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3558.jpg.html)

This is one of the best looking Texas Rats I've ever seen. It was young, probably no more than two or three years old, so its colors may fade a bit as it ages but wow. Very bright yellow, vibrant oranges, beautiful clean pattern, just a screamer. Perfect in every way. And I failed miserably to get a picture to really do it justice. Hopefully I'll get to see it again and maybe one day its offspring.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5347.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5347.jpg.html)

Schott's Whipsnake, In situ lol. It appeared to be napping on my back porch so I decided to leave it be and see what else was out and about in my yard. When I came back it was on the move so I grabbed it for a few shots.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5601.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5601.jpg.html)

This was not easy! I had a Schott's escape on me earlier in the year while trying to get a full body shot like this. The time it took my eyes to refocus on the snake after framing up a shot was all the time it took for the animal to vanish into thin air. They are astonishingly quick lol. I had another escape when I flipped it. I hesitated to grab it to be sure there wasn't anything else under the tin, it wouldn't have been the first time I've flipped multiple snakes under the same tin and grabbing a Schott's only to get tagged by a Rattler would be rather unpleasant. I blinked and the snake simply wasn't there any more lol.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5640.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5640.jpg.html)

Profile shot.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3593.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3593.jpg.html)

This is pretty cool, despite being fuzzy, because it was shot through my bedroom window. At first I thought it was the same snake I caught earlier in the year so I just watched it poke around the bushes for a while. I'm always worried that if I bother them to much they'll stop coming around. But after looking at the pictures I'm not so sure it's the same animal. Either way it was very cool to look out the window and see a big Schott's cruising through the shrubs.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4282.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4282.jpg.html)

Gulf Coast Toad! These guys are very common in my part of the country but very rarely encountered on my property.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4268.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4268.jpg.html)

He insisted on checking out the flashlight I was using to put some light on the shot.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3718.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3718.jpg.html)

%$#@% Gray Treefrog! I not huge on amphibians in general but this was one of the most surprising and exciting finds of the year, I have never seen one on my property before. Hopefully I'll be seeing more of them.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3730.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3730.jpg.html)

She looks to be eyeballing that Wood Ant.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5382.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5382.jpg.html)

Green Anole sandwich?

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3704.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3704.jpg.html)

Baby Green Anole sleeping on a leaf.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3782.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3782.jpg.html)

Juvie Texas Spiny Lizard sleeping on a twig.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3167.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3167.jpg.html)

This was the last shot I got of the baby vulture I posted about in the spring report. It is eight weeks old here and getting very good at hiding from me.

[Tsubaki]

I need your backyard for reasons... I'm so jealous, awesome pictures!!!

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5329.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5329.jpg.html)

The colors and sparkles on this tiny moth! One day I'll have a camera capable of taking awesome pictures of such tiny subjects.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5786.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5786.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5779.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5779.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3371.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3371.jpg.html)

More winged beauties.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3352.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3352.jpg.html)

The annual invasion of the giant Walking Sticks!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2265.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2265.jpg.html)

Land Planarian. Amazing critters, truly vicious predators.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3379.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3379.jpg.html)

Mimic Robber Fly eating what appears to be a small roach or beetle.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5030.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5030.jpg.html)

Among the most alien looking critters on the planet, the Praying Mantis.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5008.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5008.jpg.html)

A beautiful green Lynx Spider awaits its next meal.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4285.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4285.jpg.html)

Here is something interesting, this Green June Beetle is trying to mate with a female that has been captured by a Black and Yellow Garden Spider.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4297.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4297.jpg.html)

There were as many as a half dozen Green June Beetle buzzing around the captured female, knocking each other off the female and even showing aggression towards the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3656.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3656.jpg.html)

The Black and Yellow Garden Spider that set the stage enjoying her meal.

[FWK]

That about wraps up my 2014 backyard herping adventures, a pretty good year overall. Here's to an even better 2015. Happy Holidays.

[sharthun]

Awesome critters and shots! Thanks for sharing!!! Loved the green snakes!

[AngPanday]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3048.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3048.jpg.html)

Nice shot :-)

[Minkness]

Seeing all this makes me miss Florida! Tennessee doesn't have half the awesome wildlife ;-;

[FWK]

Nice shot :-)

Thanks :)

Seeing all this makes me miss Florida! Tennessee doesn't have half the awesome wildlife ;-;

I bet Florida was amazing, to spend a summer in the Everglades is definitely on my bucket list. I'm sure there is still a lot to see in Tennessee though.

[SnakeSavvy]

Some great snake and amazing shots ;) Last summer was my first time out and I had a ton of fun managed to find 2 Queen snakes and 2 Water snakes in a 10 foot section of riverbank at the local swimming hole. Plan on going majorly this spring and summer and trying to find all the 21 species in my state. Around here water snakes are common found 14 just walking through the park in a one day before but some species are elusive and very hard to come by.

[FWK]

Some great snake and amazing shots ;) Last summer was my first time out and I had a ton of fun managed to find 2 Queen snakes and 2 Water snakes in a 10 foot section of riverbank at the local swimming hole. Plan on going majorly this spring and summer and trying to find all the 21 species in my state. Around here water snakes are common found 14 just walking through the park in a one day before but some species are elusive and very hard to come by.

Queens! Very cool. Queen Snakes not to distant cousins, Graham's Crayfish Snakes, are said to be found a few counties to the east of my stomping grounds but I've never come across a Regina sp. in its natural setting. Just one of many on my life list I hope to check off one day. Best of luck on your mission this year, be sure to post lots of pictures.

[SnakeSavvy]

They are very interesting I caught this one and took it home for a day then took it back after taking some pics and learning a bit about it. This is how I found it though in brush alongside a riverbank. Never had any aggression only tried to run and emitted musk when picked up.
http://snakesavvy.com/images/queen.jpg
This is it's mate
http://snakesavvy.com/images/queen2.JPG
Another
http://snakesavvy.com/images/water.JPG

[FWK]

They are very interesting I caught this one and took it home for a day then took it back after taking some pics and learning a bit about it. This is how I found it though in brush alongside a riverbank. Never had any aggression only tried to run and emitted musk when picked up.

Bravo! You should definitely put together a field herping thread.

[reptiledude987]

Its amazing that you have all this in your backyard. I could go herping all summer here in Canada and not see half as much.

[SnakeSavvy]

I plan on going herping state by state trying to find each species to get photos for my website and video for my new youtube channel (this is from the old one) soon enough starting this summer with my home state then branching out a bit to neighboring ones.
cPtSCAzZeUk
note the fireplace tongs were for holding the camera not handling the snakes didn't want to get to close until I knew what it was lol This one is there every evening between the sun warmed rocks at sunset and i've sat there many times leaning against that rock without ever noticing him until I was actually looking for him. Nothing more than a common water snake but still I showed my wife a few days later stuck my finger under the rock and he popped his head out and she ran screaming lol

Interestingly enough she screamed for me one night in the house from the tub and I came in to find her freaking out and a black rat snake on the front of the tub I started laughing and she got really mad demanding to know what was funny. I told her it wasn't venomous and she told me she'd kill me if I didn't get it away from her so I tried to grab it and it slithered down into the wall. Now she is a bit upset and always on the look out in the tub lmao

[dandavis]

What an amazing thread! You are very lucky to live where you do.

I love Scotland, but we are species poor here. We have one species of native frog, one toad, three newts, two lizards and one snake.

What's worse is that it's a bloody mission to find them!!

[SnakeSavvy]

What an amazing thread! You are very lucky to live where you do.

I love Scotland, but we are species poor here. We have one species of native frog, one toad, three newts, two lizards and one snake.

What's worse is that it's a bloody mission to find them!!

I know some areas are snake poor it could be worse though you could live in Alaska or Ireland ;)

[dandavis]

I know some areas are snake poor it could be worse though you could live in Alaska or Ireland ;)

You're not wrong!

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6202-1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6202-1.jpg.html)

So it is the start of the herp season in South Texas 2015! It has been a mild winter here, even by South Texas standards. I'm hoping we're in for a mild summer as well, I really hate the heat of South Texas summers. The official start of Spring is still a month away but I can hardly wait. It promises to be a good spring, we've been getting a good bit of rain over the last few months. The local songbirds have already started nesting and the migratory birds are restless. The first of the flying insects are emerging and the Orb Weavers are spinning their first webs accordingly. And the first herp I've had the opportunity to photograph this year is one I haven't posted here before. Rough Earth Snakes are very common finds out behind the shop where I work but for some reason don't seem to exist in my backyard, just some twelve miles away by road. This little guy was flipped under a board at work yesterday (2/21/15). Hopefully I'll be able to do quite a bit more work with these endearing little insectivores this year.

P.S. I am currently accepting donations so I can replace my little PowerShot SX510 HS with something a bit better suited for this sort of thing, maybe something I can actually swap lenses and flashes out on :wacky:

[Minkness]

Love that rich earthy redbrown color!

[ks1020]

I wish it would hurry up and get warm here in Kansas. My son really wants to go look for snakes this spring. Great thread BTW.

[FWK]

Spring is officially here! I don't have any new herp pictures to share just yet but I'm so excited about spring I had to post something so I'll tell y'all a little story about an experience I had while herping on a rainy Sunday afternoon a while back. Happy Spring!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_05051.png (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_05051.png.html)

On a rainy Sunday afternoon a flock of buzzards circle overhead as I find my way to the small clearing where the dark birds are congregating. A young deer lies among the wildflowers where life, for reasons I do not know, left it. I watch from a distance for a while as the birds feast. Jousting and jockeying for position the larger and stronger birds get the choice bits as the younger birds argue over their place in line behind them. Unsatisfied with my vantage point I slowly work my way towards the flock when one of the young buzzards spots me and the group takes flight on wings so strong each stroke creates an audible thump, a strange sort of percussion in rhythm with a great rustling of feathers. The birds rest in the surrounding trees as I find a better spot and make myself as inconspicuous as possible. I settle in and wait. And wait. I thought if I was still the birds would forget I was there and go about their business but they were not so easily fooled. Occasionally a bird would make a low pass and look at me hard only to return to the trees. The rain slowed and the twilight sun began to break through the clouds, bathing the clearing in its warm glow. One by one the buzzards took to the sky to find their roosts for the night and I decided to call it a day. As I stood up I suddenly noticed that, just inches front of me, two tiny flowers beamed up at me illuminated by the sunsets glow. Overlapping one another, almost as if competing for my attention, they stretched their delicate purple petals towards the sky. I had been so distracted by the grim scene unfolding in the rain in front of me I hardly noticed the new life all around me.

[Minkness]

Beautiful story!

[Bandit]

Awesome thread! I need to post some of my finds. Ever since March began I have been finding plenty of herps every day. I'm looking forward to seeing what you find this year!

[FWK]

Alright, the spring of 2015 in south Texas can be summed up with one word: Rain! The flora is so lush and green I feel like I've been living in a tropical rain forest for a few months. The insect and amphibian populations are astonishing. And I'm loving every minute of it. The only downside (as far as I'm concerned anyway) is that the river has been in a constant state of flood for months and I haven't been able to get out on it. This fall is looking to be very promising though.

I meant to have this up weeks ago but I've been busy (not herping, unfortunately). I'll start with some of the critters that visited my backyard over the winter. Enjoy!

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5916.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5916.jpg.html)

A Texas Spiny Lizard trying to soak up some heat on a cool December afternoon. I told him he was silly, the sun was on the other side of the house.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5846.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5846.jpg.html)

This Dove roosted in my Orange Tree every night for several weeks.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6049.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6049.jpg.html)

These Woodpeckers come through every year but don't stick around for long.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5919.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5919.jpg.html)

A Squirrel dashes along the fence to stash his pecan.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6094.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6094.jpg.html)

Another Squirrel trying to determine just how dangerous the big hairless ape with the camera really is.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5932.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5932.jpg.html)

A spike buck enjoys breakfast in the morning sun.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6728.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6728.jpg.html)

I like finding empty rodents nest, and I find a lot of them. But every now and again I flip an occupied nest and every time I do I worry that mom wont come back since I disturbed the nest. I snapped a quick shot here an very carefully put the rock back exactly where I found it, hoping for the best.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6685.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6685.jpg.html)

Baby Opossum! Look at the cute little white-tipped ears!

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6336.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6336.jpg.html)

This was the first Texas Rat Snake of 2015! Much like the first Texas Rat last year, this guy was very calm and easy to work with. It did musk a bit but never became defensive or try to bite. I needed help finding it though. I was sitting in a patch of brush on a Sunday evening enjoying the birds singing, spring breeze playing with the leaves and the sent of pollen on the air when I caught a bit of movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head to see a Mockingbird on the ground a few yards to my left. It seemed to be very interested in something under a small bush. Under my breath I told the bird to be careful, we were near where I had seen a Western Diamondback last year and a bird such as itself would make an easy meal. My eyes began to adjust to the shadows under the little bush and my heart skipped a beat as I suddenly realized I was looking right at a Texas Rat Snake. I've seen and handled hundreds of Texas Rat Snakes but I still get a rush finding them in their natural setting, and the first find of any given year is doubly exciting. I sat shock still hoping I might get a chance to witness an act of predation but it quickly became clear the snake was trying to get away from the bird and the bird was following the snake, carefully watching its every move. The snake headed up into the bush and the bird lost interest so I grabbed the snake for a few shots to commemorate the first Texas Rat Snake of 2015.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6363.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6363.jpg.html)

Overhead shot of the same critter.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6279.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6279.jpg.html)

The first Rough Green of the year.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7388.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7388.jpg.html)

A juvie Texas Rat Snake peeks in through my foggy kitchen window. It was raining, as was per the usual this spring.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7447.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7447.jpg.html)

He tried for a day and a half to figure out how to get through the window. Here he is taking a break on the afternoon of the second day. A couple hours after this picture he decided to call it mission impossible and moved on.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6668.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6668.jpg.html)

Juvie Bull Frog! This spring was one of rainiest on record for Texas, May broke rainfall records all across the state. All the flooding resulted in an explosion in the local amphibian populations. The little pond I attempted to dig out years ago has been holding water for months and attracted more frogs and toads than I have ever seen on my property, including first Bull Frog I've ever found in my backyard. I was only able to manage a quick voucher shot before he hid under the flooded grasses.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6476.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6476.jpg.html)

Another backyard first, breeding activity from Plains Narrow-mouth Toads.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6956.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6956.jpg.html)

During a particularly powerful electrical storm in May I stepped out on my partially flooded front porch to watch the lighting dance in the night sky. The storm came in from the north and rolled across the river valley in front of me. I stood in awe of the spectacle when I caught a bit of movement on the ground, a juvie Gulf Coast Toad! Herp mode activated!

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6663.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6663.jpg.html)

Western Ribbon Snake! I only managed one kayak trip this spring and this little guy was the highlight of the day.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6543.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6543.jpg.html)

Showing some tongue. I saw three of these guys within a few yards of each other but this is the only one I got my hands on.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6506.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6506.jpg.html)

A Texas River Cooter poses for the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6513.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6513.jpg.html)

A slight breeze pushed me slowly closer and closer to the snobby little guy, looking down his nose at me. This was the last shot before he decided it was enough and slipped into the water.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6519.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6519.jpg.html)

This Slider was not so willing to pose for the camera lol.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6525.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6525.jpg.html)

A Squirrel enjoying a snack.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7046.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7046.jpg.html)

Diamondback Water Snakes! Finally! I spent so much time on the river last year trying to get my hands on one of these guys and here I was just a few hundred yards from a Diamondback Water Snake honey hole for years. Now I've known for a long time there is a stock pond in the fields out behind the shop where I work because I've seen it on Google maps. And I've known there were lots of Cottonmouths out there because they come up to the back of the shop occasionally. But I only recently got the land owners OK to herp on the property. So this spring I walked out there and found the pond to be teaming with wildlife, including Diamondback Water Snakes. The blood near the tail is mine, this dude was nippy.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7182.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7182.jpg.html)

This one had something strange going on with its eyes, particularly the right eye. They were a bit clouded, almost like it had cataracts. Didn't look like it was in shed.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7204.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7204.jpg.html)

Overhead of the same critter.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7088.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7088.jpg.html)

That big orange eye.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7558.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7558.jpg.html)

This one has been eating well.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7283.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7283.jpg.html)

On my most recent trip to the pond I counted ten Diamondbacks the first lap around the pond. I stopped counting after the first lap, I figured I was seeing some of the same animals over and over again but I had easily 30+ sightings.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6889.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6889.jpg.html)

Some of the aforementioned Cottonmouths.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6778.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6778.jpg.html)

Coiled among the Duckweed.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6926.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6926.jpg.html)

These guys insist on displaying, the only way was able to get a picture of anything other than big mouth was to manually close its mouth with my hook.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6759.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6759.jpg.html)

The most commonly found snake at work, Rough Earth Snake. Photobombed here by some sort of fly lol.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6255.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6255.jpg.html)

Rough Earth Snake.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7132.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7132.jpg.html)

A Cricket Frog in full throat. It was raining (surprise surprise) so my camera lens is a bit foggy.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6886.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6886.jpg.html)

Chorus Frog.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7490.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7490.jpg.html)

Green Tree Frog.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7451.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7451.jpg.html)

Southern Leopard Frog. These are by far the most common frog in the area but man they are a pain to shoot. I'd creep up super slow, careful not to spook them and just as I get the camera in position their spring loaded legs uncoil and they're gone. Every time. Took a lot of patience to get this shot lol.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7566.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7566.jpg.html)

A Red Eared Slider looks on, with a Mosquitofish at the bottom of the frame getting dangerously close to being turtle food.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7234.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7234.jpg.html)

A Catfish poking around the flooded vegetation.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7253.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7253.jpg.html)

The same Catfish investigates my boots.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6936.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6936.jpg.html)

A Heron (I think) with its big blue eggs.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6952.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6952.jpg.html)

I think these are Mockingbird little ones. There were Dove nesting in the same tree but they were out of range.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6944.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6944.jpg.html)

Snake food!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7520.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7520.jpg.html)

This creepy cow followed me around for a while one night. Those black specks all over it are mosquitoes, they were absolutely ravenous and massive in numbers. I stayed drenched in insect repellent, but between the mosquitoes, Water Snakes, thorns, and catfish (the catfish I posted a few pictures back, I stuck my fingers in its mouth and it chomped down hard lol) I'm pretty sure you could measure my blood lost in ounces.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6789.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6789.jpg.html)

Baby Gulf Coast Toads. Just about every time we got a good rain this spring baby frogs and toads would rise up en masse and play a high risk game of frogger across the parking lot. Unfortunately for the tiny ones even if they survived the first round most would find themselves up against an insurmountable obstacle: a building. And if the sun came out it was game over for dozens of little ones. So if I had some time a few lucky ones would get a free ride to a safer place on the other side of the shop.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6856.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6856.jpg.html)

A heavily cropped closeup of one of the little Toads, it's hardly bigger than the pebbles in the concrete!

[FWK]

The Spring of 2015 is in the books, I'm looking forward to Fall. Ya'll have a good summer.

[Wingbeats]

Wow, what great pics of a ton of great animals! Thanks for sharing :D Looks like a great summer to me.

In case you are curious, the bird is indeed a heron - it is a Green Heron :)

[FWK]

In case you are curious, the bird is indeed a heron - it is a Green Heron :)

Yes! Very cool. The only Herons I know are the Big Blue Heron and the Little Blue Heron lol. tyvm.

[EL Ziggy]

Awesome photos of some beautiful critters FWK. Nothing like seeing animals in their natural habitat.

[TheLastBaron]

I have always wanted a rough green snake, but they aren't as common down here near galveston as they are where you are.

[AlexCrazy]

HOLY COW! you are one of the luckyest people in the world! or the universe! your yard is the coolest ever! id love to find soo many critters like you do! and asome photografs!

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9688.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9688.jpg.html)

This good looking Cottonmouth is clearly not amused by my enthusiasm for the first day of fall. The extremely wet spring and relatively mild summer we've had here in south Texas has made for a great herping year so far, though there have been some trade-offs. The amphibian numbers have been off the charts, but some of the critters that prefer drier conditions have been scarce. Texas Spiny Lizards, usually abundant in the summer, have been very hard to find. I've only managed to catch a glimpse of a few Schott's Whips in my backyard, and only seen two Eastern Yellowbelly Racers, both early in the spring, both DOR. Bummer, I was hoping to finally get a chance to take pictures of an Eastern Yellowbelly Racer this year. The fall is looking to be very promising though, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. I have had opportunity to work with quite a few Western Ribbon Snakes this summer. They've had a fantastic year, what with all the frogs to eat. And this past weekend I spotted a rare, state protected aquatic turtle, one who's range spans a total of eleven counties in south Texas. I'm planning on hitting the same spot a few more times this year, with any luck I hope to get at least voucher shots of it. I failed to get pictures of it this past weekend, despite ample opportunity, because I'm a turtle noob and didn't realize what I was looking at. I thought it was a much more common species, it wasn't until the next day when doing a bit of research on the local turtles I realized my mistake. Been kicking myself pretty hard over that one. But like I said, with any luck I'll get another chance soon. Here's to Fall!

[FWK]

The 2015 herping season is in the books, and what year it was in south Texas. I haven't seen so many amphibians since I was a kid living near a large seasonally swampy area. I saw more frogs and toads on a below average night in my backyard than last years total. Narrowmouth Toads, Southern Leopard Frogs, Green Tree Frogs, Rio Grande Chirping Frogs, and Coastal Plains Plains Toads were all found in great numbers. A handful of Gray Tree Frogs and a single American Bullfrog were also seen. But y'all already know I'm really not about amphibians, so to me this was the year of the Ribbon Snake. They were everywhere. I found them in my backyard, at the river, at the lakes, and in particularly large numbers around the shop where I work. I was finding them at work like I find Rough Greens in my backyard. This in contrast to last year when I only saw a half dozen or so total last year, all at work. There was a stretch there where most every day I'd hear the cries of a Leopard Frog in distress out behind the shop, following the sound would offer a chance to see a Leopard Frog disappearing down the throat of a Ribbon Snake. One such sequence was captured on camera and is shared later on in the thread. I did find one more adult Eastern Yellowbelly Racer, unfortunately a cat found it first. That's all I'm going to say about that. On the bright side I did find juvenile Eastern Yellowbelly Racers, hopefully next year I'll get my hands on an adult so I'll have pictures of the dramatic change in pattern. Another goal left uncompleted was to find a neonate Cottonmouth, to have pictures of their remarkable color change. This was the main focus of the fall, I spent an enormous amount of time at several different Cottonmouth hot spots and found only adults. Ah well, gives me something to shoot for next year. In the meantime here is a snapshot of my herping adventures in the fall of 2015. Thank for looking.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYWRS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYWRS1.jpg.html)

A beautiful Western Rat Snake poses for a photo during a session in my makeshift lightbox (a cooler and a florescent shop light).

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYWRS2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYWRS2.jpg.html)

A hatching Western Rat Snake hangs out on the side of my house behind the vines. Hunting Mediterranean House Geckos most likely.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYWRS3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYWRS3.jpg.html)

A Western Rat Snake is seen exactly where a Schott's Whipsnake was spotted last year. You can't tell by this shot but it is in shed.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRES1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRES1.jpg.html)

A juvenile Rough Earth Snake shows off its new hat. This is one of two Rough Earth Snakes found in my backyard this year, first time I've found them on my property.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRES2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRES2.jpg.html)

A newborn Rough Earth Snake.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYTBS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYTBS1.jpg.html)

A newborn Texas Brown Snake, so tiny this leaf is a jungle gym.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYTBS2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYTBS2.jpg.html)

The little one decided the camera was scary so it curled up under a nearby leaf. Removing the leaf resulted in this ridiculously cute shot.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRGS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRGS1.jpg.html)

The first hatchling Rough Green Snake seen this year, natural light.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGCRS2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGCRS2.jpg.html)

A Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake gives the camera a tongue flick. These guys are extremely squirmy, makes them difficult to shoot.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGCRS3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGCRS3.jpg.html)

Peek-a-boo!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGCRS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGCRS1.jpg.html)

The first time I pulled my old yellow kayak out of the garage to go to the river I found this little juvenile Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake hiding in it. I don't know how it got into the kayak, but I'm pretty sure it couldn't get out.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGA2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGA2.jpg.html)

The Green Anoles had a great year. Here a male is found sleeping.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGA1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGA1.jpg.html)

A female Green Anole sleeps on a leaf.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYMHG1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYMHG1.jpg.html)

Mediterranean House Geckos are the most commonly seen herp in my backyard. So common I take them for granted, this along with the fact that they are an introduced species is why I've never even bothered taking pictures of them. Until I found this little hatching scurrying about my kitchen floor one night that is. After posing for a few shots it was put outside.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYNMT1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYNMT1.jpg.html)

Narrowmouth Toads were a very common finds under rotting logs this year, but their size and colors make it challenging to get a decent picture of them with my cheap little camera. Here a beautifully marked juvenile is posed on a leaf.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRGCF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRGCF1.jpg.html)

Rio Grande Chirping Frogs were also common finds, here one is seen investigating one of my "snake attractors" (piles of wood made from old pallets).

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRGCF2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYRGCF2.jpg.html)

Another Rio Grande Chirping Frog is seen climbing up the side of my house.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGTF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGTF1.jpg.html)

A young Green Tree Frog is found in the grass.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGTF2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGTF2.jpg.html)

An adult Green Tree Frog.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGRAYTF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGRAYTF1.jpg.html)

A Gray Tree Frog, still very excited to see these.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGRAYTF2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYGRAYTF2.jpg.html)

Gray Tree Frog, natural light.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYSLF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYSLF1.jpg.html)

Five Southern Leopard Frogs. This was the scene as my little hand dug pond dried out this summer after the heavy spring rains.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYSLF2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYSLF2.jpg.html)

Best I could do as far as a close up, skittish little things Leopard Frogs.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYCPT3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYCPT3.jpg.html)

Sheer numbers in the amphibian department in my backyard this year definitely goes to Coastal Plains Toads. Here a pair is found under a rock.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYCPT4.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYCPT4.jpg.html)

Just a couple Coastal Plains Toads in a hole.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYCPT1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYCPT1.jpg.html)

Who says Toads aren't arboreal? Here a Coastal Plains Toads is found a few feet off the ground in the crook of a tree.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYCPT2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYCPT2.jpg.html)

The location of the Toad pictured above is indicated by the arrow.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYF1.jpg.html)

Red Fox! This was the best picture I was able to manage, she was very camera shy. I've seen Foxes on my property before but this is the first to afford me any kind of shot. For a few weeks in August and September every time I walked towards the eastern corner of my backyard she would growl and bark at me from a distance, becoming particularly upset if I approached a certain large patch of wild rose hedge. I suspect she had young in that patch but I was never able to see them.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYC1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYC1.jpg.html)

A Cicada dries its wings after emerging from its old shell.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYFS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYFS1.jpg.html)

A Fishing Spider is found on my little pond before it dried.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYM1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYM1.jpg.html)

A freshly shed Praying Mantis.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYPS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYPS1.jpg.html)

A Pseudoscorpion! This tiny little thing crawled out of a crack in a limb I was preparing for one of my snake enclosures. I put it in a small plastic container so I could get a picture of it.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYT1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYT1.jpg.html)

Ah, one of my least favorite backyard critters, a Tick, is found crawling about on my jeans one afternoon as I attempted to get a shot of the Fox posted above.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYTGWS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYTGWS1.jpg.html)

A pair of Texas Giant Walking Sticks hard at work to ensure I will see more of them next year.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/BYWS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BYWS1.jpg.html)

A very large Wolf Spider is found in the grass.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5855.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5855.jpg.html)

Io Moth caterpillar. Pack a bit of a sting these guys.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPCM1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPCM1.jpg.html)

I spent a huge amount of time at the stock pond I talked about in my spring post this fall in search of a neonate Cottonmouth. I had no luck finding little ones, but adults were in no short supply. Here a robust adult Cottonmouth poses for the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPCM2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPCM2.jpg.html)w

What a long tounge you have!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPCM4.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPCM4.jpg.html)

Behold, the mighty water serpent gives the diminutive Cricket Frog a piggyback ride!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPCM5.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPCM5.jpg.html)

Another Cottonmouth.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS1.jpg.html)

Spending so much time at the stock pond afforded me many opportunities to photograph Diamondback Water Snakes.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS2.jpg.html)

A Diamondback Water Snake, as found, in a fallen tree by the waters edge. My favorite shot of the year.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS3.jpg.html)

A Diamondback Water Snake investigates the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS4.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS4.jpg.html)

A Diamondback Water Snake peeks around the grass at the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS5.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS5.jpg.html)

A Diamondback Water Snake enjoying a snack.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS6.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS6.jpg.html)

A couple Diamondbacks hanging out in the aquatic vegetation.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS7.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS7.jpg.html)

A Diamondback Water Snake in shed.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS8.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPDWS8.jpg.html)

Pesky Mosquitoes!

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS1.jpg.html)

Newborn Diamondback Water Snakes!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS2.jpg.html)

Newborn Diamondback Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS3.jpg.html)

Newborn Diamondback Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS4.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS4.jpg.html)

Newborn Diamondback Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS5.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPJDWS5.jpg.html)

Newborn Diamondback Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPPBWS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPPBWS1.jpg.html)

This juvenile Plainbelly Water Snake was a surprise. I presume it traveled to the stock pond from another water source, it is the only Plainbelly I've seen at the stock pond.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF1.jpg.html)

One evening, as I was poking around the stock pond in my never ending search for a juvenile Cottonmouth, I hear the telltale cry of a panicked Leopard Frog coming from a small grassy field near the pond. Sprinting through the underbrush to reach the field I quickly zeroed in on the sound near the base of a small Weesatch. A large Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake has a Southern Leopard Frog by the leg!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF2.jpg.html)

The Frog clings to the grass, muscles bulging as it fights the inevitable.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF3.jpg.html)

The Frog cries as the Snake continues to work.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF4.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF4.jpg.html)

The Snake gains control of the Frogs right rear leg.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF5.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF5.jpg.html)

The Frog calls weakly now, with both rear legs immobilized it is able to offer little resistance.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF6.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF6.jpg.html)

Working quickly the Snake engulfs the Frogs body.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF7.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF7.jpg.html)

Goodbye little Frog...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF8.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF8.jpg.html)

The satisfied Snake smacks its lips.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF9.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRSSLF9.jpg.html)

The Snake tastes the air, the next meal most likely isn't far away. I have to admit I felt bad for the Frog. Nature is beautiful, and brutal.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPGCRS1.jpg.html)

A Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake poses on the tin it was found under.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPEYBR1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPEYBR1.jpg.html)

Hatchling Eastern Yellowbelly Racer!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPEYBR2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPEYBR2.jpg.html)

Another angle showing more of the pattern.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPEYBR3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPEYBR3.jpg.html)

Another hatchling Eastern Yellowbelly Racer, much larger than the first and more brightly colored.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPEYBR4.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPEYBR4.jpg.html)

Hatchling Eastern Yellowbelly Racer, natural light.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPWRS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPWRS1.jpg.html)

This was the first hatchling Western Rat Snake of the year, unusual in that being the first it was not found in my backyard. This was shot 8/23/15, I didn't see the first hatchling in my backyard for a couple more weeks.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPRES1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPRES1.jpg.html)

Hatchling Red Eared Slider with a Pond Snail along for a ride.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPRES2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPRES2.jpg.html)

A hatchling Red Eared Slider hangs out with a couple Ghost Shrimp and a Ramshorn Snail. The Ghost Shrimp are to the left of the Slider, the little white circles are their eyes.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPABF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPABF1.jpg.html)

An adult American Bullfrog. I wish I had something in this shot to offer a sense of scale, this thing was huge.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPABF2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPABF2.jpg.html)

Up close and personal with an American Bullfrog.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPABF3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPABF3.jpg.html)

A very photogenic American Bullfrog.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPSLF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPSLF1.jpg.html)

This derpy looking critter is a Southern Leopard Frog.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPA1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPA1.jpg.html)

An Armadillo digs furiously for tasty morsels.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPA2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPA2.jpg.html)

It paid me little mind, allowing me to stay very close as it went about its business. That's my muddy boot to the left there.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPRC1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPRC1.jpg.html)

A couple of the neighborhood Raccoons on the prowl.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPRC2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPRC2.jpg.html)

Another Raccoon. All the little bright spots that look like little stars behind the Coon are the eye shine of various spiders.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPB1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPB1.jpg.html)

Bird! I don't know what it is exactly, but I did get to watch it eat a couple Leopard Frogs.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPBM1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPBM1.jpg.html)

This spiky, orange and black Buckeye Moth caterpillar was found, appropriately, on Halloween night.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPSM1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPSM1.jpg.html)

This little beauty is tentatively ID'd as some sort of Silk Moth caterpillar. Reminds me of a Sea Slug.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPHSSM2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPHSSM2.jpg.html)

Hubbard's Small Silkmoth caterpillar, stunning critter.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SPHSSM1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SPHSSM1.jpg.html)

This guy deserves another shot. The rows of little spikes running down its back were shiny, almost like little drops of silver.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SLC1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SLC1.jpg.html)

Broad-banded Copperhead! Beautiful little pit vipers. I spent a lot of time in my kayak at the little local lake this year, but don't have much to show for it. There were plenty of frogs and a few Ribbon Snakes, but other than that the finds this fall were few and far between. This little critter alone was worth the time invested though. Here it is posed on the bright yellow fungus that was growing on the log it was found under, along with caterpillars and spiders.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SLC2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SLC2.jpg.html)

Up close and personal. Copperheads are locally common in the area, but I don't have a good spot for them. Sadly I have never seen one in my backyard. Doesn't stop me from looking though.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SLCD1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SLCD1.jpg.html)

Crawfish! AKA Mudbug. Colorful critter, but not too friendly.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/SLRGCF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/SLRGCF1.jpg.html)

A Rio Grande Chirping Frog posed on a leaf.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5254_1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5254_1.jpg.html)

I posted this shot of a Rio Grande Chirping Frog last year, but I misidentified it as a Cricket Frog. Whoops. Still not great with amphibians, but I'm working on it.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRPBWS3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRPBWS3.jpg.html)

I didn't get to kayak the Guadalupe River at all this spring because the incredible amount of rainfall we got kept the river flooded for months. July and August were pretty dry so the river finally began to calm down a bit and I started making plans to hit the water. My first opportunity came the second weekend in September. We had some heavy rains earlier in the week that once again had the river a bit high, but I decided to give it a go and drug my kayak out of the garage. This is when I found the little Ribbon Snake posted earlier in the thread, a good sign I thought. I loaded up my kayak, gear, and enough food and water for a long night of herping and headed out. Arriving at the river I was disappointed to find the river was more than just a bit high. Bummed that the night was a bust I decide to poke around the few yards of shore that were available before heading home. Almost immediately I spot a little snake in a small pile of driftwood in the water, a neonate Plainbelly Water Snake! Delighted that the night isn't a complete bust I snatch the little critter up for a few photos.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRPBWS2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRPBWS2.jpg.html)

Another angle of the same Plainbelly .

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRDFN1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRDFN1.jpg.html)

After releasing the Plainbelly I decide to stick around for a while and see if anything else interesting pops up. I find and shoot various inverts and a Cricket Frog, nothing too exciting. After a couple hours of this I'm kneeling in the mud snapping shots of this odd looking critter in the water (turned out to be a Dobsonfly nymph) when I lean back to ease my back. Glancing over my right shoulder I spot a small snake in the waters edge, just inches from my right heel. A neonate Broad Banded Water Snake! I stare at it, momentarily dumbfounded, when I realize that not a foot farther up the shore is another neonate Plainbelly!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRBBPBWS.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRBBPBWS.jpg.html)

Once I recover from the initial shock I fall over myself to grab them both up and take a quick voucher shot.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRPBWS4.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRPBWS4.jpg.html)

The Plainbelly Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRBBWS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRBBWS1.jpg.html)

The Broad Banded Water Snake. Last year I found a total of two Water Snakes in the Guadalupe, both Plainbellies. This year the first time I go to the river I don't even get my kayak in the water and I find three Water Snakes, two species. Herping will drive you crazy sometimes.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCM1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCM1.jpg.html)

This young Cottonmouth showed mild curiosity in the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRPBWS1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRPBWS1.jpg.html)

Another juvie Plainbelly Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCF1.jpg.html)

A pair of Cricket Frogs working on producing the next generation.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRGTF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRGTF1.jpg.html)

A Green Tree Frog hanging out at the waters edge.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRSLF1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRSLF1.jpg.html)

A Southern Leopard Frog is found in the leaf litter near the water.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCPT1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCPT1.jpg.html)

This Coastal Plains Toad was found near the water and posed on a rock for a picture. While I was tweaking the shot, what appeared to be some sort of Grasshopper crawled up onto the rock. You can see it here to the right of the Toad. As I continued to shot from various angles the insect crawled right in front of the Toad...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCPT2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCPT2.jpg.html)

Who promptly snapped it up! It was so fast that I didn't capture it even though I had the shutter going as fast as my little camera is capable. You can just see the tip of the insects wing sticking out of the corner of the Toads mouth though.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRRES2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRRES2.jpg.html)

A large, beautifully marked Red Eared Slider is found in shallow water under a large pile of driftwood.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRRES1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRRES1.jpg.html)

The very nose of a Red Eared Slider

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT1.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT1.jpg.html)

Hatchling Cagle's Map Turtle! The first time I kayaked the Guadalupe River this year I was very focused on three very specific targets; adult Broad Banded Water Snakes, adult Plainbelly Water Snakes, and neonate Cottonmouths. I saw no sign of any of these. But I did see a couple little turtles, they appeared to be hatchling Texas River Cooters. Despite how cute the little devils were I refused to allow myself be distracted from my goal. But something about the little critters just didn't seem right to me so the next day I did a bit of studding on the local turtles and quickly came across a spot on mach: Cagle's Map Turtles. I was furious with myself, I let an opportunity to photograph a threatened herp slip through my fingers because I was to busy looking for something else. I had a new goal for the fall, get pictures of those turtles if it meant spending all weekend, every weekend the rest of the year on the river. Fortunately, this wasn't necessary. The weekend following the initial sightings I hit the water at dusk and paddled upriver in a hurry. Approaching the area the turtles had been seen the previous week I moved close to the bank and carefully inspected every rock, twig and log as I continued slowly upriver. Finally, around 10:40 pm, I spotted this little guy in a fallen tree. I paddled around the tree and positioned my kayak upriver of the tree. Allowing the current to move me towards the tree I slid the kayak into the tree, careful not to spook the little turtle. I parked there for a while and watched the little one. It quickly became curious about this strange new object that had appeared in its world and moved in to investigate.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT2.jpg.html)

It swam right up to the kayak and held on to the side for a moment.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT3.jpg.html)

It then swam under the kayak to a branch on my right and peered at the kayak from a small distance.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT4.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT4.jpg.html)

Not satisfied, it came in for another look.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT5.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT5.jpg.html)

And away again.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT6.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT6.jpg.html)

Then it came up next to a Dragonfly, my camera clicking furiously. The Dragonfly is longer than the turtle! Knowing I had the shot I carefully backed my kayak out of the tree and struck out upriver, happy that I had made up for my colossal failure the week before.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT7.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GRCMT7.jpg.html)

A few hours later and a half mile away I found a second hatchling Cagle's Map Turtle. Just a quick shot here and I moved on. Mission accomplished.

[FWK]

2015 was a great hearping year in south Texas, even if I didn't manage to find a neonate Cottonmouth. I suspect 2016 will be a good year as well, a lot of little critters got a good start this year with so much to eat. Looking forward to the spring! Happy Holidays.

[Wingbeats]

The bird looks like a juvenile black-crowned night heron, but I am confused by the white tail. Huh. I'm rather bad at Southern water birds so I could be wrong there!

[FWK]

The bird looks like a juvenile black-crowned night heron, but I am confused by the white tail. Huh. I'm rather bad at Southern water birds so I could be wrong there!

Certainly much closer than anything I was able to come up with, ty.

[SnoopySnake]

Awesome pictures, I'm quite jealous lol :)

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2157.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2157.jpg.html)

We've had this pile of old plywood at work for a couple years, just wasting away. I've bugged the boss lady about taking it a few times but she always came up with some story about how she might need it one day (suuure). Anyway, the wood scrap pile the plywood was a part of was getting a little out of control so we loaded it up on the shop truck & trailer and I hauled it all to the dump (more than two and a half tons of scrap wood). Well, all except for the plywood, which was loaded into my old truck. Finally! Looks like I'm going to be busy laying out some new artificial cover this weekend. It's going to be a good spring in my backyard.

On another note, it turns out I've been mislabeling the local Brown Snakes (Storeria dekayi) as Texas Brown Snakes (S. d. texana), when they are in fact Marsh Brown Snakes (S. d. limnetes)! A couple months ago I saw an ID request on Facebook for a little snake found in Harris County, Texas. It was a Brown Snake, and, thinking Harris County was the southernmost extent of Marsh Brown Snake range, I ID'd it as a Marsh Brown Snake. Just to be sure, I pulled up a range map and saw that Victoria County was shown to be the southernmost extent of Marsh Brown Snake range! Uh-oh. More research revealed that not only am I indeed in Marsh Brown Snake range, but that the Brown Snakes I have pictures of are a spot on phenotypic match. Well now, don't I feel like an idiot.

[FWK]

I didn't get much herping done this spring unfortunately. A number of issues around the house, including a minor flood during a remarkable burst of rainfall that required replacing some carpet padding and a septic issue that was no fun at all to resolve, kept me busy and limited my ability to get out in the field. It was a relatively wet spring, though not to the extreme of 2015, and the amphibian population carried over well from last year. My little seasonal pond hosted breeding activity for at least five species of frogs and toads, including, to my delight, Gray Tree Frogs. A handful of Rough Earth Snakes were found as well, I presume the wet conditions has made my backyard more attractive to them. Green Anoles are having a banner year, as are Rough Green Snakes. Due, no doubt, to the astonishing invert numbers. Including Mosquitoes, but you have to take the good with the bad. I'm sure they are a valuable part of the food chain after all. Enjoy!

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2832.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2832.jpg.html)

This spring picked up right where last year left off. Here three Green Tree Frogs spend the day resting on my slightly askew kitchen window screen. A couple years ago this would have been an astonishing find, now it is the norm.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3805.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3805.jpg.html)

Narrowmouth Toads were everywhere this spring and often found under boards.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3250.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3250.jpg.html)

This chubby Narrowmouth Toad was found next to a board, rather than under it.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2851.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2851.jpg.html)

Coastal Plains Toad, my backyard as a backdrop.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2646.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2646.jpg.html)

A Rio Grande Chirping Frog does its best to look like a part of that leaf.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3664.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3664.jpg.html)

A Gray Tree Frog in full throat.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3977.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3977.jpg.html)

Just a few hundred tadpoles hanging out.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3997.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3997.jpg.html)

Almost ready to venture onto dry land.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3685.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3685.jpg.html)

Not a tadpole anymore, but not quite yet a frog.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3306.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3306.jpg.html)

Little Brown Skinks were also common under the new artificial cover.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2829.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2829.jpg.html)

A Texas Spiny Lizard peers over the edge of the cliff that is my windowsill, the jungle that is my backyard in the background.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2662.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2662.jpg.html)

A male Green Anole grabs some rays on a cool March afternoon.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4244.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4244.jpg.html)

Rough Green Snakes, as always, were plentiful.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4139.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4139.jpg.html)

A couple shots from a makeshift lightbox session with a Rough Green. Head shot.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4110.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4110.jpg.html)

Closeup of the dorsal scales, you can see the light keeling and beautiful color that gives them the name Rough Green Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3784.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3784.jpg.html)

A Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake is found in my Orange Tree one night.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2711.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2711.jpg.html)

Texas Blind Snake. My best attempt at a macro shot of the tiny critter. I really need a better camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2347.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2347.jpg.html)

Rough Earth Snake, you can see the single rostral scale that is a defining characteristic of the species.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2907.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2907.jpg.html)

These beautiful feathered critters visited my backyard every morning for a few weeks this spring.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3988.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3988.jpg.html)

This tiny little bird was found in a tree one night, it's hardly bigger than the leaves of the Sawtooth Hickory it's roosting in.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_2858.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_2858.jpg.html)

Rodents were very common under the boards I laid earlier in the year.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4013.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4013.jpg.html)

In Texas, Snails move so slow Paper Wasps build nests on them.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3911.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3911.jpg.html)

A young Diamondback Water Snake pokes it head up through flooded vegetation on a rainy April evening. I visited my favorite mud hole a few times this spring, and it was as productive as ever.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3087.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3087.jpg.html)

Subadult Plainbelly Water Snake, only the second Plainbelly I've found at the stock pond.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3048.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3048.jpg.html)

This Western Rat Snake was flipped under a bit of tin, it is in deep shed.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3389.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3389.jpg.html)

A week later I found the same Western Rat Snake under the same piece of tin, this time freshly shed and with a full belly.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3332.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3332.jpg.html)

A very gravid, and very defensive, Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake refuses to pose for a picture.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3381.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3381.jpg.html)

Juvenile Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3711.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3711.jpg.html)

This Gulf Coast Ribbon had some seriously gnarly scars. It's amazing what these animals can survive.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4273.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4273.jpg.html)

Western Coachwhip! Found under a board on a sunny afternoon. I snatched it up and jumped around, hootin 'an hollarin like a little kid. One of my favorite animals, and one I do not see in my area very often. It had a badly beat up nose, an amputated tail, and numerous other small scars, but it's still beautiful. Nothing moves like a Coachwhip, so fluid. Mesmerizing.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3830.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3830.jpg.html)

Probably the worst looking Cottonmouth I've ever come across. Very emaciated, so weak it could hardly hold up it's head. Likely not much longer of this world.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3849.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3849.jpg.html)

One evening I heard a desperate squeaking in a thick patch of grass just a few yards from the pond, a Mouse in trouble! Digging through the grass I finally zeroed in on the source, a Cottonmouth has pulled a fuzzy mouse from its nest!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3863.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3863.jpg.html)

Down the hatch! I would have liked to get a better shot, but the grass was very thick and the Cottonmouth was already agitated by my presence.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3948.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3948.jpg.html)

A shy Cottonmouth doesn't want to leave the bag for its photo shoot.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3870.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3870.jpg.html)

A Cottonmouth poses as the evenings last rays of sun filter through the underbrush.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3890.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3890.jpg.html)

Behind the scenes of the shot above, I was laid out on the ground next to my backpack to get the right angle.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3949.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3949.jpg.html)

Closeup of the dorsal scales of a Cottonmouth as it crawls through the underbrush.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3120.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3120.jpg.html)

A Green Tree Frog clings to a twig just above the surface of the pond.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3425.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3425.jpg.html)

I managed to get a few Leopard Frogs to sit still long enough for a shot this spring.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3935.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3935.jpg.html)

Bull Frogs pose so nicely for pictures.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3919.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3919.jpg.html)

Cricket Frogs are tiny and perfectly camouflaged, very hard to spot sometimes.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3751.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3751.jpg.html)

Red Eared Sliders were everywhere this spring. This little fellow was found slow-pokin its way along a cattle trail, in search of a new body of water to call home. I snapped its picture and wished it good luck on its journey.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3965.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3965.jpg.html)

A much larger Red Eared Slider. Not happy I bothered it for a picture.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3029.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3029.jpg.html)

Ducks!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_3822.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_3822.jpg.html)

A couple of the resident Cattle look on during a photo session with a Red Eared Slider.

[FWK]

The spring of 2016 is history, but the fall is just around the corner! I have a couple lifers in my sights this fall, fingers crossed.

[Railrider1920]

FWK,
You have posted some pretty cool pics of different animals. Good job. I prefer the reptiles, but cant help checking out the tree frogs when I find them. Love the pics of the grey tree frogs. Keep em coming.

Dont bash your camera too bad. Sure there is always something better out there. That one has gotten some good shots for ya.

Rob

[MM1]

That is a cool backyard. Are you in the range where alligators live?

[FWK]

Are you in the range where alligators live?

Indeed, American Alligators are very common in the area, especially in the brackish waters near the coast. I even managed to get pictures of a couple this past weekend while kayaking in Hog Bayou, near Green Lake. I usually herp at night, as I don't much like the heat, so I rarely get a chance to shoot Alligators. They are shy animals, and in order to get a picture at night with my little camera I have to get very close. They usually slip under the surface long before I get within camera range. I might try to hit one of the Alligator hotspots during the day in month or so, when it is cool and the Alligators will be laid up on the banks to catch some sun. I'll load the pictures I got the other day when I go through my pictures at the end of the season, so in the meantime here's a little story of an encounter I had with an Alligator while Bass fishing from a kayak in Coleto Creek Reservoir a few years ago.

The moon was irresistible this weekend, so I loaded my kayak in my old truck and headed for the lake to do some moonlit bass fishing. Hitting the water just before dusk, I headed for some of my favorite spots as frogs and insects serenaded the night. After fishing a while, about midnight, I beached the kayak on a shallow muddy flat to stand up and stretch my legs a bit. I sat back down and pulled a package of crackers from my pack. As I chowed down, a small Raccoon came out of the brush and slowly made its way towards me, carefully watching my every move. One of the many Raccoons that hung around the park begging for scraps, no doubt. I broke off a bit of a cracker and tossed it to him. He washed it thoroughly in the lake before gobbling it up. I tossed him a few more scraps and he grabbed them with more enthusiasm each time, his confidence growing. I broke off a piece of my final cracker and looked up to throw it to him, but he had vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. Strange, I thought, that he would leave an easy meal unfinished. I could think of only one reason he would abandon a free meal. Turning to scan the water behind me I saw it. Maybe twenty feet behind me was a Alligator. Seven, maybe eight foot long. I'm accustom to seeing Gators in the lake, but rarely do they get this close. He had been eyeing the Coon and was not happy that I was in his way. He voiced his displeasure in what I could only describe as a guttural hiss as he stared at me. A hiss that rumbled up from the depths of its belly and resonated in its skull. A wonderful, prehistoric sound, I suddenly felt like I was in the presence of something ancient. An evolutionary masterpiece, a species that has seen even the dinosaurs come and go, long before humans took their first steps. I splashed water in his face with my paddle, and he made a big show of swimming away with a loud splash as he submerged. He resurfaced a ways down the shore, and appeared to be fishing the same as I was. He would very slowly move towards the shore, mouth agape, then suddenly slam his jaws shut with such force the percussion must have stunned the nearby minnows. We worked the cove together for another twenty minutes or so, me jigging for Bass in submerged timber, and the gator, as best I could tell at least, trying to trap the many Gar that patrolled the shallows. But we both came up empty. He struck out across the lake and I headed up the shore, both in search of better luck elsewhere.

[MM1]

Ah, excellent. Good story. Living in NYC I only get to see wild crocodilians when I visit the in laws in South Florida. They are shy though, and usually not doing much during the middle of the day, so I can see how getting photos or videos of behaviors is challenging.

[FWK]

2016, the herping season and the year, is over. This update is a bit later than usual because December was even better than normal, as far as herping is concerned. Very warm overall, with temps reaching the low 80s as late as the 28th. I expanded my search towards the coast this year hoping to add a couple species to my life list. I had no luck with finding lifers, but otherwise it was a fantastic year. A few other goals were completed, including getting pictures of juvenile Cottonmouths and adult Eastern Yellowbelly Racers. I made a couple trips to the Guadalupe River this fall, and that's where I'll start here. Thanks for looking.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6563.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6563.jpg.html)

Juvenile Dekay's Brown Snake. The first time I visited the Guadalupe this year I hit my favorite spot, just down the road from my house, and had the most productive single night I've ever had on the Guadalupe. Six species of snakes were found, and this little Dekay's Brown Snake was the first find of the night. While I'm on the subject of Dekay's Brown Snakes, I mentioned in a post early in 2016 that I had been calling the local Brown Snakes by the wrong subspecies, Texas Brown Snakes (Storeria dekayi texana), when they were actually Marsh Brown Snakes (S. d. limnetes). Well the jokes on me again, because a paper published in January of 2016 (Pyron et al., 2016) stripped Storeria dekayi of its subspecies. So this is now known simply as a Dekay's Brown Snake. I'm trying to keep up, I promise...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6666.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6666.jpg.html)

A Western Ribbon Snake is found in the brush along the shore.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6625.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6625.jpg.html)

A good looking adult Plainbelly Water Snake mean mugs the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6771.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6771.jpg.html)

Adult Plainbelly Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6754.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6754.jpg.html)

Who's that hiding in the leaf litter? Why, it's a neonate Broadbanded Water Snake!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6683.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6683.jpg.html)

The neonate Broadbanded Water Snake poses for a picture.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6844.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6844.jpg.html)

This rather curious Diamondback Water Snake poked its head over the log while I was trying to get a picture of a large Fishing Spider.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6852.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6852.jpg.html)

The aforementioned Fishing Spider crawls along the log.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6835.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6835.jpg.html)

Another Fishing Spider living up to its name at the waters edge.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6826.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6826.jpg.html)

A Kingfisher is found perched on a vine a few feet above the water.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6830.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6830.jpg.html)

Another Kingfisher, this one sporting some bight colors.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6806.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6806.jpg.html)

A juvie Bullfrog ducks as the camera gets too close for comfort.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6818.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6818.jpg.html)

A Leopard Frog climbs up the bank. Not terribly graceful, but gets the job done.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7833.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7833.jpg.html)

The second time I visited the Guadalupe wasn't nearly as productive, but it was to be a beautiful night I didn't want to miss. The night of the so called "supermoon." Here the last rays of sunlight fade as I wait for the moonrise.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7861.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7861.jpg.html)

There it is.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7877.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7877.jpg.html)

It was remarkably bright, I hardly needed a flashlight to navigate the river. Playing with the exposure setting resulted in shots like this, but really doesn't convey the beauty of the night.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7896.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7896.jpg.html)

This trip was not without snakes, though this is something I might see in my backyard. There are four Rough Green Snakes in this picture, indicated by the arrows.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7901.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7901.jpg.html)

This little neonate Plainbelly Water Snake was the highlight of the trip.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7167.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7167.jpg.html)

Hog Bayou was the first of two places I hit this fall targeting Gulf Salt Marsh Snakes and Mississippi Green Water Snakes, either of which would be a lifer for me. I came up empty on both counts, in both places. But I did see a lot of Crabs. I offered to take this fellows portrait, and it responded by blowing bubbles at me. How rude.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7220.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7220.jpg.html)

This one claimed my hook as its own. Took a couple minutes to convince it to let go.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7227.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7227.jpg.html)

There were remarkable numbers of Green Aloes in the brush lining the Bayou, and as the night wore on dew began to collect on their backs.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7234.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7234.jpg.html)

The dew beaded up heavily as dawn approached.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7175.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7175.jpg.html)

Sneaky Leopard Frogs.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7311.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7311.jpg.html)

A couple Broadbanded Water Snakes were found in marshy areas along the Bayou.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7185.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7185.jpg.html)

Alligators were present in large numbers, particularly around the boat ramp where they gather to eat scraps left by fishermen. They are very wary animals, it is not easy to get close enough to them to get a picture. This was the best shot an adult was willing to afford me, this was taken from some fifteen feet away.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7198.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7198.jpg.html)

This juvenile Alligator allowed me much closer before deciding it had seen enough and slipped below the surface, silent as a shadow in the water.

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Dekay's Brown Snake. Garcitas Creek was the second location selected in my hunt for Salt Marsh and Green Water Snakes. Garcitas Creek is a popular local swimming and fishing destination. People often jump from the bridge to test their courage, but no one was swimming this time as it was relatively cool. A few anglers were there testing their luck however. I struck out to explore a cut I had seen beforehand thanks to Google maps, it lead to a marshy area I wanted to check out. The cut doubled back under the road, there were a couple younger fellows in kayaks under the bridge while an older fellow (presumably their dad) fished from the bank. We exchanged pleasantries as I paddled by. The cut curved to the left a small ways up, immediately after rounding the bend a small Alligator was spied in the water straight ahead and Alligator slides lined both shores. On the way back by I reported my findings to the guys in the kayaks, and suggested they check it out. They feigned disinterest and I continued on, but just before I got out of sight I glanced back and they were both vacating the water with notable haste. Ha. Still neither of the target species were turned up on this trip, but more Alligators and many more Crabs were seen, as well as Dekay's Brown Snakes, Rough Earth Snakes, Rough Green Snakes, a Cottonmouth and a Western Ribbon, and a number of frog species.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7522.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7522.jpg.html)

Dekay's Brown Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7588.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7588.jpg.html)

A Rough Earth Snake found in the sand near the shore.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7600.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7600.jpg.html)

Juvenile Bull Frog.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7602.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7602.jpg.html)

A Leopard Frog leaves its cave to embark on the nights adventures.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7526.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7526.jpg.html)

A Coastal Plains Toad.

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Neonate Broadbanded Water Snake in Coleto Creek. This is probably my new favorite spot. It's tough going in places as the creek is so shallow in spots even the kayak can't pass, so you have to get out and drag or carry the kayak, but the water is clear and the wildlife abundant. The deeper pools host Alligator Gar, there is something surreal about seeing these large, armor plated fish floating silently just below the surface. They look ancient, prehistoric, like you're looking back in time.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7399.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7399.jpg.html)

A neonate Broadbanded Water Snake pokes its head up through the vegetation for a breath.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7453.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7453.jpg.html)

Neonate Broadbanded Water Snake peering into the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7373.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7373.jpg.html)

Juvenile Plainbelly Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7465.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7465.jpg.html)

Neonate Plainbelly Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7435.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7435.jpg.html)

Adult Plainbelly Water Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7323.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7323.jpg.html)

A handsome adult Diamondback Water Snake.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8346.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8346.jpg.html)

My favorite mud hole was as busy as ever, just crawling with Diamondback Water Snakes. I didn't spend much time shooting them though, as I have a ton of pictures of them already. Here a couple Diamondback Water Snakes hang out in a fallen tree on a warm December afternoon.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6236.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6236.jpg.html)

A Diamondback Water Snake shows off its purple tongue.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8359.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8359.jpg.html)

This little newborn Diamondback Water Snake was found near the waters edge, tiny little thing is already missing most of its tail.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5844.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5844.jpg.html)

An increasingly common find at the stock pond, a Plainbelly Water Snake shows off the brightly colored underside of its tail.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5845.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5845.jpg.html)

A Plainbelly Water Snake just below the surface.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6201.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6201.jpg.html)

A Cottonmouth cruises through the grass near the pond.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8230.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8230.jpg.html)

A beautiful adult Eastern Yellowbelly Racer that was found under a board near the pond. Stunning animal, almost flawless save for missing the tip of its tail.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5868.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5868.jpg.html)

A big ol American Bull Frog hangs out with a Mosquito Fish.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6224.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6224.jpg.html)

Tiny little Red Ear Slider hatchling.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8333.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8333.jpg.html)

Many birds visit the stock pond regularly, here we see Canvasback Ducks (the male is on the far left with white wings), Northern Shovelers (the two males with black heads are just right of center), and Green Winged Teals (the two in the background on the right). These are not great pictures I'm afraid, my little camera really struggles with long distance shots, but the birds are at least identifiable.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8330.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8330.jpg.html)

A handsome Northern Pintail.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8439.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8439.jpg.html)

A few American Wigeons.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8429.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8429.jpg.html)

Three Black Vultures perch on a pile of brush to oversee a pair of Caracaras eating an Opossum (the Caracaras didn't stick around for pictures). Patiently waiting their turn, the bird on the left scratches its neck, the bird on the right preens, while the bird in the middle looks on with apparent disapproval.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5083.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5083.jpg.html)

I was at work one day late in July when the guys started shouting for me to come quick. They had picked up a crate behind the shop, and there was a snake under it. It was a small Cottonmouth, which, in and of itself, was not that big a deal, as Cottonmouths are routine finds around the shop, but there was something special about this particular little Cottonmouth; she was gravid. I quickly bagged her up and stashed her away in my backpack. That evening I set her up in an isolated tub so she could gestate in peace. She weighs 436 grams in this picture.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5386.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5386.jpg.html)

Almost three weeks later I find this, eight healthy little worms!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5393.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5393.jpg.html)

The mother weighs a mere 213 grams postnatal, less than half her gravid weight. Very small, and very tired.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5395.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5395.jpg.html)

Close up of a few of the little ones in their nursery tub, their oversized noggins are adorable. They were kept together on damp paper towels until they started shedding, which began on their seventh day. Then I had the not so easy task of deciding which ones to keep (I couldn't keep just one... too much cute). The rest, along with the mother, were immediately returned to a place near where she had been found, my favorite mud hole, the stock pond, and released.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5519%20Ap6.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5519%20Ap6.jpg.html)

On the seventh day the little ones shed one by one, but this little one had a bit of trouble. The old skin snagged along the little Cottonmouths pronounced canthus rostralis (the ridge around the nose) in such a way that when the snake exhaled the air was trapped, pressurizing the bubble of skin and preventing the little one from breathing. It had to open its mouth in order to inhale, as you can see here. It was hilarious, and pathetic. Baby snake problems, ha. I pinned it down and peeled the shed over its head, just to help it get started.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5550%20Ap6.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5550%20Ap6.jpg.html)

It was not appreciative, lol.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5740%20Ap8.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5740%20Ap8.jpg.html)

Its sibling was a bit more willing to pose for its portrait.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5896.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5896.jpg.html)

I made sure to take lots of pictures as the little ones set out on the parlous journey that is life. Here a little one rides the hook for the last time.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/Death.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/Death.jpg.html)

This little one almost immediately came face to face with one of the many hazards of the wild life, a mosquito. I didn't even see the mosquito until I was processing these pictures months after the fact, it was just a lucky capture. A little Cottonmouth face to face with danger, the most dangerous animal in the world, the bringer of death itself, a mosquito.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5906.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5906.jpg.html)

Well I guess if your head fits...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5993.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5993.jpg.html)

What's that? No more pictures? Alright, I'll go away...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6092.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6092.jpg.html)

The Snail that upstaged the Cottonmouth.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6116.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6116.jpg.html)

That's a nice one.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6144.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6144.jpg.html)

A little Cottonmouth bravely sets its course.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6177.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6177.jpg.html)

Right at home already.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6210.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6210.jpg.html)

Taking a quick breather.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6184.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6184.jpg.html)

Alright, alright, I get it, I'm leaving... Best of luck little ones.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5235.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5235.jpg.html)

One afternoon, late in July, I looked out the window and saw fire trucks in my backyard. At first I though something must have happened at my neighbors place, but then I noticed a lot of smoke coming from the brush out back. Great. I pulled on a pair of boots and grabbed a machete on the way out the back door. There was an older fellow, hands on his hips, watching a younger firefighter hose down the grass along the brush line. I stopped next to him and surveyed the situation. I turned to the older fellow and said, "My neighbors trying to burn my place down, eh?" He chuckled, and responded, "We think a barrel fire got loose in the grass, and once it hit this brush it really took off. We're laying a wet line down here, we'll just let it burn itself out once it reaches the wet line." "Sounds like a plan" I said, and thanked him for coming out. Once the fire was contained we worked on putting out the spots that still burned.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5241.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5241.jpg.html)

One of my sheets of plywood, and a small sheet of tin, can be seen now that the grass has been burned away.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5246.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5246.jpg.html)

That's not snow on the ground, ha.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5244.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5244.jpg.html)

The good news is I'd guesstimate only about 30% of my brush burned out, and plenty of new growth turned the whole place green again within a few weeks. The fresh growth made for great habitat, and aught to look fantastic come spring.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4554.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4554.jpg.html)

Western Coachwhip!! The new artificial cover I put down early in the year paid off with many great finds, including this beautiful critter. Unfortunately it promptly "died" (Coachwhips like to play dead when captured).

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4582.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4582.jpg.html)

I sat down for a bit to see if it would calm down enough to pose for pictures. No luck. Maybe it will cooperate if I leave it alone in the lightbox for a few minutes.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4624.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4624.jpg.html)

Nope. How tragic, eh? Should get a nomination for this performance really.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4620.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4620.jpg.html)

A close up of some of its scaring. The wild life is a rough life.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4804.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4804.jpg.html)

I gave up on trying to get nice profile shots and satisfied myself with a few overheads. Ha, that award nomination just went out the window buddy, I caught you tongue flicking! Hopefully the next one will be a bit more cooperative. And hopefully I get see another one relatively soon, this is only the second Coachwhip I've found in my backyard, the first was found five or six years ago. I don't want to have to wait six years to see another, these are one of my favorites.

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http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5209.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5209.jpg.html)

Another great find produced by the new artificial cover, a Checkered Garter! I used to find these often as a kid, when I lived on the other side of Victoria County. They are common out that way. But this is the first I've ever found in my backyard. Maybe the influx of amphibians in my backyard due to a couple wet years will bring more of these around.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4697.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4697.jpg.html)

The artificial cover also produced a couple Eastern Yellowbelly Racers, but this subadult was found in my garage one morning. They cannot move very fast on bare concrete, ha.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8024.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8024.jpg.html)

Hatchling Eastern Yellowbelly Racer.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7680.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7680.jpg.html)

Subadult Eastern Yellowbelly Racer.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7654.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7654.jpg.html)

Aaaand its gone...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6984.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6984.jpg.html)

Hatchling Western Rat Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5066.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5066.jpg.html)

Dekay's Brown Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6302.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6302.jpg.html)

A Dekay's Brown Snake shows off its very long tongue.

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A Rough Green Snake is seen hanging out in the bushes right outside my bedroom window.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6381.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6381.jpg.html)

A Rough Green Snake and a Grasshopper share a resting place for the night.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6967.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6967.jpg.html)

One of my favorite images from 2016, a stunning Rough Green Snake.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6958.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6958.jpg.html)

A Western Ribbon Snake, in blue.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_8407.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_8407.jpg.html)

This juvenile Western Ribbon Snake was found on a sunny Christmas day.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4880.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4880.jpg.html)

Texas Blind Snake, and a big one at that.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4857.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4857.jpg.html)

Texas Blind Snake tongue!

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6423.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6423.jpg.html)

Another, much smaller, Texas Blind Snake.

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This is pretty typical in my backyard, there's a Rough Green Snake (green arrow, near the top of the frame), a Western Ribbon Snake (red arrow, near the middle), and a Green Anole (yellow arrow, all we can see is its tail) in this picture.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7795.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7795.jpg.html)

A good looking male Texas Spiny Lizard is found on a warm November night.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6296.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6296.jpg.html)

Texas Spiny Lizard hopes it is hidden under that little leaf. Nope, sorry, I can see you. Ha.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_5096.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_5096.jpg.html)

A large Wolf Spider preys on a hatchling Mediterranean House Gecko, as seen on my front porch.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_4506.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_4506.jpg.html)

A rather stately Gulf Coast Toad looks down its nose at the camera.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_6287.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_6287.jpg.html)

A googly-eyed subadult Cope's Gray Tree Frog.

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_7783.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_7783.jpg.html)

A good looking adult Cope's Gray Tree Frog.

[FWK]

This closes the chapter on 2016, looking forward to a productive 2017. Thanks for looking.

[FWK]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Fwkiller/IMG_9544.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Fwkiller/media/IMG_9544.jpg.html)

I stepped out the back door this morning to catch some fresh air and see what the weather was like. A Red-tailed Hawk peered at me from its perch on my roof as countless song birds sang from the trees. The slightest rustle in the leaves on my back porch caught my attention and I investigated. Poking about with a stick quickly produced a Little Brown Skink, a very common visitor. But wait, something else moves beneath the leaves, something much larger... Then an unmistakable flash of yellow and red through the leaves, a Texas Coral! I quickly snatch it up and deposit it in a nearby bucket while doing a little celebration dance, only the second Texas Coral I've found in my adult life. That's a great way to start the day.

Spring is in full swing in south Texas, everything is green, the sent of wildflowers is heavy in the air, and the critters are on the move. I'll have more pictures of this beauty and hopefully many more critters later on. Happy herping!

[Skipper7]

This is fascinating. You should write a book.

[FWK]

So it seems that Photobucket has decided to hold years of my work (even decades for some people) hostage until I pay them a fee. Needless to say, I will not be paying. Photobucket has been a trash site for a long time, but now it is time to cut the cord. I'm planning to start a new herping thread soon, but this one has been effectively destroyed by Photobucket. Disappointing, to say the least.