2017 Herping Thread

[SnoopySnake]

Today marks my first day actually finding some herps this year! No snakes, just all of these salamanders all in one day. Any multiples in photos were found together, there are also some missing as some phots didn't turn out. I'd say we found roughly 10-13. It's only a matter of time till everything is in full swing here in MI :)

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08474_zps4hn0sbc4.png
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08479_zpsuocqmarl.png
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08477_zpsbmr6lcnu.png
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08481_zpslygstfaa.png
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08482_zpsfksixfrd.png
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08483_zpsdclzfoor.png

Cont......

[SnoopySnake]

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08484_zpsa77optzt.png
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08485_zpsu09ydvsh.png
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08512_zpsq9wzf7vi.png
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/DSC08508_zps5y16ykcx.jpg

The photo of the 5 in the hand were all found under that same log as seen in the last photo :)

Thanks for looking!!! :)

[eminart]

Nice finds! Although I grew up in a salamander haven, I actually don't know most of the species very well.

[SnoopySnake]

Nice finds! Although I grew up in a salamander haven, I actually don't know most of the species very well.

Oh I don't really know them either. I have only ever found this one species and while I have looked into MI salamanders, I wouldn't be able to ID most other ones haha. Really I'm more geared toward the snakes.

I just can't wait to start finding the snakes :)

[whistlepig]

Hopefully you get your snakes soon, but salamanders are a pretty cool alternative while you're waiting. Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing.

[SnoopySnake]

Finally found my first snake of the year on Sunday :) just a little garter but I hope for some more variety this year
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/D01E2C68-5B32-4FC0-B8A2-0F0CB7A7AD61_zps9grxjsbu.jpg
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/91D54959-C809-47C9-A249-CCF8C0030A6B_zps303nngex.jpg

[SWDK]

Happy to see you had some success. I'll be going out Monday if the weather is nice.

[SnoopySnake]

Happy to see you had some success. I'll be going out Monday if the weather is nice.

I wish you luck!! Post pics of whatever you see ;)

I was out again today, found two garters.....one little guy and a bigger one around 15" maybe. Only got pics of the little one but will post soon :)

[eminart]

Nice! Maybe the garter broke the ice and you'll start finding more now. Hasn't really worked for me, but your luck could be better.

[SnoopySnake]

Unfortunately I can't be home to post the good quality photos, and no idea when I will get home. So here's a sneak peek of what is probably the best herp find I will have :D feel free to guess the species before I reveal it.

I also found roughly 20 northern water snakes, 4 ribbon snakes, 1 garter snake, 3 painted turtles and 1 leopard frog. But again those photos are on my good camera which I have no access to at the moment.
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/1F5A02AF-954E-45E1-AB50-9EE529C21DD4_zpscz1etk9x.jpg
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/BBC80341-CDB9-4462-8767-195A9AFF32B4_zpsjgir4vxo.jpg

[whistlepig]

Is that an eastern massasauga rattlesnake? Very cool if so!

[SnoopySnake]

Is that an eastern massasauga rattlesnake? Very cool if so!

Bingo! It was an exciting find for sure!

[whistlepig]

Can't wait to see the other pictures. Congrats on a great find!