Snake Road, IL (DUW)

[StudentoReptile]

Snake Road - April 2008 - This was the second annual trip that a group of us from another herp forum took to Snake Road, although this was my first.
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http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/SR_entrance.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/lake.jpg

Just a really cool rock formation (camped at Giant City)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/skull_rock.jpg

Slimy salamander on the first night (also at Giant City)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/slimysallie.jpg

ringneck snake (lots of these were found!)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/ringneck1.jpg

western ribbon snake

in situ shot
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/westRibbon_1.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/westRibbon_3_fence.jpg

red eft
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/red_eft.jpg

[StudentoReptile]

leopard frog
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/leopardfrog1.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/leopardfrog2.jpg

long-tailed salamander
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/longtailsallie_1A.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/longtailsallie_1B.jpg

cave salamander
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cavesallie_red_A.jpg

redback salamander (found lots of these)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/RedbackSallie_2B.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/RedbackSallie_2A.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/redbacksallie_3A.jpg

[StudentoReptile]

juvenile cottonmouth

in situ shot
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cottonmouth_insitu.jpg
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http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cottonmouth_5_CU.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cottonmouth_2_leaflitter.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cottonmouth_6_rockedge.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cottonmouth_1_rockedge.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cottonmouth_8_stretchedout.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cottonmouth_4_stretchedout.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/cottonmouth_7_stretchedout.jpg

[StudentoReptile]

red-bellied snake
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/redbelly2.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/redbelly1.jpg

and a wee toad was the last herp to see us on our way!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/toad1.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/MDC_Leviathan/SnakeRoad2008/toad2.jpg

[Strutter769]

Really Cool photos! I'll be here next week for a couple days for my very first ("cherry") herping trip! I'm really excited and a little nervous. I've only handled one snake (garter) in the wild, and that was over 20 years ago! So, the thought of flipping a rock to see a "hot" underneath is a little intimidating to me. Just sayin'.

[*Don't Mind Me*]

Those are some nice field herping shots! You got real lucky compared to what I see when I try to field herp.

[StudentoReptile]

Strutter, you're in for a treat. This was my first "real" field herping experience as well, and even though we didn't see as much as some do, I was excited to see what I did in their natural habitats. For instance, it was the first time, I found anything underneath a rock, and the first time, I found salamanders anywhere.

Definitely made me appreciate more herp species besides the "cool stuff" (i.e. snakes!).

Since you're going a little late in the migration season, I suggest getting on the road as soon as the sun is up. It gets hot quick!