Fall snake count

[Scales Zoo]

Now is the time to think about the fall snake count in Leader, Sask in mid-September. For those of you who have already been out, we will be going to the same active sites this fall. For those who have never been, this years spring count yeilded 40 rattlers, 13 bullsnakes, and countless Black widows on Mothers day this spring. We expect the fall count to be a photographers dream, last fall we conted 21 adults basking around one den alone, witnessed active courtship and breeding, and Ryan found a whole nest of newborns with the mucous still drying on them.

We have special permission to access private land for this event, and camping and the BBQ are free. So load up the camera, bring your boots and hats, and witness one of natures wonders in action. Once the snakes return to the dens in the fall, they stay very close to home, and offer some excellent photo and learning opportunities.

Email scaleszoo@sasktel.net for more info, or to receive an info pack by mail

Sheila and Ryan

Walter, we got your name down!!

[Katt]

Oh put us down too!

[Scales Zoo]

We are getting ready for the fall count, and are planning a few extra activities for this event. We will be renting a hall for dinner, drinks and a social evening for Saturday. Anyone wanting to come out should contact us before September 10.

[JD@reptiles]

ill see if i can make it!

[JD@reptiles]

I AM ACTUALLY COMING!!! YEEEHAA!

[Scales Zoo]

Excellent! JD, since you are the first person from Ontario attending, we will cover your room for the weekend! Let us know when you expect to arrive so we have your reservations in order

See you here!

Sheila and Ryan

[Scales Zoo]

Vanan and Katt have arrived in time to help with preparations, and night cruising for snakes has been productive - they are on the move home for the winter.

We have a few of you signed up already, and expect a good turn out of new people to join us.

We have a few friends bringing out their slides and photo albums, and everyone is invited to bring theirs along to share on Saturday at the social.

[honduranfreekk]

Now that is something I would love to make it 2 Sheila but am going 2 miss it :(

[Scales Zoo]

Hey honduranfreekk, no worries, we will be holding it again in the spring, and were thinking of having a contest on ssnakess for someone to get a round trip airline ticket to the Mothers day count in the spring.

Cross your fingers, or plan a vacation for Mothers day weekend next year - we would love to see you here!

[honduranfreekk]

Now that would be great I would love 2 come and visit and meet you both :)

[Scales Zoo]

We are planning on making this more of an annual gathering, we used to go anyways, but we are meeting more people every year with interest in participating. Most of them have never seen rattlers and bulls in such close proximity, and are pleased with the trip. We also visit the museum and a few significant places of interest while out here, not to mention the BBQ and social on Saturday. We will be doing more promotion of the event next year, but we have kept it small in the past to prevent abuse of the priveleges. There are rules to follow during the count, and since the land the dens are on is privately owned, we have special permission from the landowner to conduct the count, and access is denied to visitors otherwise. The area is a little out of the way, and inaccessible to public traffic.

We can send out info packages so those interested can plan for the spring. ( I will be sending one your way, Kelvin)

Sheila

[JD@reptiles]

im leaving in 15 minutes!