Eminart's 2017 Herping Adventures

[eminart]

I went out herping for the first time this year yesterday. I've been sick for a week, and I thought I was better (more on that later), so I grabbed my camera and headed to a couple of my local spots.

I live in a fairly large city, but I have a secret spot in the middle of it where I find a fair amount of snakes. It's a quick and easy spot, so I pulled in there first and hopped out. Temps were around 60, and the sun was peaking out from partly cloudy skies. Not ideal, but I was optimistic. The first sheet of tin I flipped had two eastern garter snakes. Great way to start the year, and really got me hopeful for the day. But, of the other 20 or so cover items I flipped, I only found one more garter. But, still, 3 snakes in cool temps in early march - I wasn't complaining.


https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3920/33157781951_b07e717984_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Sw3inH)Garter 3 (https://flic.kr/p/Sw3inH) by Scott Wright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/eminart/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3889/33157781811_3d48c3b2a7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Sw3iki)Garter 2 (https://flic.kr/p/Sw3iki) by Scott Wright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/eminart/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3667/32443139914_fa98e2143f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RqTzch)Garter 1 (https://flic.kr/p/RqTzch) by Scott Wright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/eminart/), on Flickr


After walking around this very flat, and easy area, I was sweating and light-headed. Maybe I wasn't quite as "well" as I thought. But, in true Me form, I jumped in my truck and headed to the mountain where I was going to look for timber rattlers. By the time I got there, the sun had disappeared behind clouds and I wasn't feeling at all optimistic about finding Mr. C. horridus. But, I was eager to explore an area I'd investigated via google maps. So, off I went. The area did indeed look promising, but, as I'd feared, no snakes in sight. Not even a lizard on the rocks. I think it was just too cool in conjunction with no sun to bask in. Due to how weak I was, I spent a lot of time sitting. I'd walk 5 minutes, then sit on a rock and look around me. I did that for a couple of hours, and went home exhausted and well aware that I wasn't over my illness. I didn't find any timbers, but I'm eager to go back to that spot when the weather is a little better. All in all, a nice start to the year, I think.

Hopefully more trips and photos soon.

[whistlepig]

Great pictures. Not sure why, but I love pictures of snakes periscoping.

[Pareeeee]

Beautiful pics! So jealous - we still have some snow on the ground here. No herping for me!

[eminart]

Thanks, guys!

We had snow last night and a high of 53 degrees today, but I can't stand sitting in the house much. So I grabbed my camera and went to get some fresh air. I wasn't expecting much, but I did find a little brown skink, and another garter. The skink didn't want to be photographed, but the garter was feisty and hung around for pics.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3938/33366600626_e311d10a5d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SQuxTG)DSC_0061 (https://flic.kr/p/SQuxTG) by Scott Wright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/eminart/), on Flickr

[saturnascends]

That little guy has character! Nice pics, and feel better!

[eminart]

I got to take an after work trip a few days ago to check out an area that SHOULD have timber rattlers. It was a nice warm day (for a change) and I had high hopes. The place looked perfect with rock and ledges everywhere. Almost as soon as I got there I spotted a very large rat snake under a ledge. I didn't want to disturb her too much. I snapped one photo that turned out to out of focus. Then she slithered into a hole when I was trying to move a leaf to get a better shot. I could have caught her and pulled her out, but she looked like she'd been through a long winter and needed a shed. And I have tons of rat snake photos anyway. Plus, I thought I'd find plenty more snakes that day. But, you guessed it, that was the only one.

Hopefully I can get out and find some more interesting stuff soon.

[SnoopySnake]

Nice finds! I'm in MI, so excited for everything to come out :)

[eminart]

So far, it seems to be the year of the garter snake. A few finds from yesterday. Still nothing too exciting.

A huge five-lined skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus)
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17498934_10212208847797940_3964269258062169979_n.j pg?oh=c85008d932d42e34b3c7beca5b2a5487&oe=596D9AD5

Yet another Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Eastern garter snake)
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17362441_10212208847917943_6830382466896083360_n.j pg?oh=c6de3ef52ed242ed8c5ea9b39735ecbe&oe=5997943F

Tigrosa georgicola (wolf spider)
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17499140_10212208848117948_6093214415122069444_n.j pg?oh=699c06b6fc4de49b22561ef187aa9e62&oe=59664A26

And a couple more photos of another five lined skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus)
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17553941_10212208851478032_2924520934054882630_n.j pg?oh=8bc06ac69a163b1a19e7f48439b0ba44&oe=596A1AA5

https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17499337_10212208851518033_7277969991778560317_n.j pg?oh=02cba84950de71baff3bba959725b010&oe=59568164

[MM1]

Did that skink just climb up on your toes like that?

[eminart]

Did that skink just climb up on your toes like that?


He was under that sheet of tin you see in the background. After I lifted it, he ran around a bit, then came under the edge and ended up on my shoe.

[whistlepig]

Great pictures! I don't know how you managed to get those skinks. I can't ever seem to get very close before they run off, and they are very fast.

[eminart]

I was turkey hunting this morning, but it's hard to pass up a flat rock. Found this little worm snake.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/17632162_10212253989046443_5637369503618970637_o.j pg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=4e417e985e2170beff53813e332414fe&oe=5999427C

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/17758669_10212253988966441_2230590268735427593_o.j pg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=340a36775baf93a28b8c6a29c385e049&oe=599AFDB5

[SnoopySnake]

This thread got me so anxious....that I had to go out and look for stuff today. No reptiles, but I found a ton of salamanders!! Pics to come on my own thread ;)

Your herps there are much more interesting from what I've seen, haha

[eminart]

We do have a ton of herp species in the southeast. There are pros and cons to living here, but I definitely count that as a pro.

Looking forward to your salamander pics.

[Bandit]

Man I've been on the hunt for a worm snake. That's one of my target species for this year. They're here, just somewhat tough to come by. Great finds so far!

[eminart]

Find the herp!
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/17880657_10212412791216398_5080032094341644639_o.j pg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=cd93dbd766851bc07affce2dde3e5288&oe=59927A31

My daughter brought this this guy and the meal he didn't finish today. Nerodia sipedon pleuralis.
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/17972117_10212418734884986_5427867127496362811_o.j pg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=d49ccd0491eae5f32cbd66397a29ff50&oe=5950ADB2

[whistlepig]

Find the herp!

Took me awhile, but finally found it hidden in plain view.

[Crazyhermitcrab]

How do I make a signature lmao

[eminart]

Found this little guy, and an eastern box turtle today.

Lampropeltis getula nigra
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18199051_10212566749345255_5666657327635651635_n.j pg?oh=213b68ed33f4ec10217ec7ccdb041fcc&oe=597578BA

[whistlepig]

Awesome find! Where'd you find it? This species (though different subspecies) is at the top of my find list this summer, but have had no luck so far.

[eminart]

Awesome find! Where'd you find it? This species (though different subspecies) is at the top of my find list this summer, but have had no luck so far.


I have a little secret patch of woods right in the middle of Huntsville. These black kings are probably the snake I find there most frequently, other than garters snakes.

[Bandit]

Excellent find! I always love seeing wild kings. It's crazy how our Eastern Black Kings look so much different. Then again, I'm right where their range meets with Speckled Kings.

[eminart]

My daughter continues to find these little guys in the neighborhood creek.

N. sipedon pleuralis
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/18216784_10212596400406513_4348136427111052873_o.j pg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=8b9788bc41ec884e925bbe4a77463634&oe=59BA7E86

[eminart]

I had a little herping fun this morning.

7g66xDWsTFg&feature

This guy was the highlight of the morning, and what I was actually looking for.

Crotalus horridus
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18275217_10212628449727726_2633040687415440259_n.j pg?oh=684211c30b01ae405cf93eede37d8e99&oe=59B24E70

https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18300862_10212628451927781_2703682235345495734_n.j pg?oh=c81a9a400e62874ae0e392ca5dde2a61&oe=59879BE4

Not a herp, but I do like arachnids.
Vaejovis carolinianus
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18342132_10212628451847779_1453358907441329453_n.j pg?oh=a6e48475e48b2c0ac06b97ceca435cd7&oe=5983ADB3

I saw a few million fence lizards, almost as many northern slimy salamanders and a couple skinks. Not a lot of good photos of them though.
Sceloporus undulatus
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/s960x960/18320561_10212628451127761_6016142427973435019_o.j pg?oh=75e5331f3ff27e54473e86b624ecf752&oe=5978F1FE

Found a couple of these guys.
Terrapene carolina carolina
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/s960x960/18278976_10212628451807778_279883850600489720_o.jp g?oh=42ab12f9618bcb78238b4aa98ddd764c&oe=5987463D

And, a common snake around here, but still one of my favorites.
Lampropeltis getula nigra
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18222034_10212628453807828_86160873370495935_n.jpg ?oh=4ea60b6ac6c89f9f51ecd8b37e91090d&oe=5978F838

[eminart]

Found another one today.

https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18341801_10212639978175930_4726998116435067947_n.j pg?oh=7cbe15a4cb96bf0a4e99d1cba1a54138&oe=59886542

[Albert Clark]

Absolutely stunning variety! Really a captivating adventure em. Thanks for the trip. Lol.

[eminart]

Thanks, Albert!

[whistlepig]

Nice finds! Looks like things are picking up quickly.

[eminart]

I took a little side trip and drove down some roads in a nearby wildlife refuge on the way home from work today. I just found one snake, but that made it worth the trip for me.

Pantherophis spiloides (Gray or Midland rat snake). Gotta love their attitude.
https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18341853_10212658622922037_9119434312088233939_n.j pg?oh=3d4cf06ae9296d2454b6eb4a90f2eb2d&oe=59B649B4

[Scubadiver59]

Yea, I've got an attitude...just a little closer and I'll show you my Rattlesnake impression!

I took a little side trip and drove down some roads in a nearby wildlife refuge on the way home from work today. I just found one snake, but that made it worth the trip for me.

Pantherophis spiloides (Gray or Midland rat snake). Gotta love their attitude

[dave himself]

Thanks for posting the pics, I live in Ireland and the only reptiles we have over here are a couple of small colonies of lizards :(

[eminart]

Thanks for posting the pics, I live in Ireland and the only reptiles we have over here are a couple of small colonies of lizards :(


Damn that St. Patrick! ;)

[dave himself]

Damn that St. Patrick! ;)

Guy needs his butt kicked ;), keep the updates coming though mate let's me see what I'm missing