HISS in the HILLS 2003 Fall snake count

[Scales Zoo]

Well, we are just winding down from a really great weekend.

Friday was cold and raining, didn't look good, we were quite concerned.

Saturday started out cool, but warmed up a bit later in the day.

On saturdays river trip, we counted 16 rattlesnakes, 4 bullsnakes and 2 western terrestrial garters.

The day started out by finding 3 scorpions. I've never seen a scorpion in the wild before this weekend, but on Friday Jordan had found 3 of them. We found the same 3 Saturday morning.

I was on my knees and trying to coral it with my hands for a photo op. I almost picked it up, but before I could, it ran at my leg and stung my thigh through my jeans.

No one had ever actually heard of anyone being stung, we had read that they don't normally cause much problem, unless alergic.

My leg swelled up a bit, my face seemed to swell (no jokes people) so I took some antihistamines, and 2 hours later felt fine.

On Sunday, we found 10 garters, 2 bullsnakes, 10 baby rattlers, 18 adults, 5 black widows, 2 scorpions.

The group consisted of Myself, Sheila, my Mother Carol, Vanan, Katt, My friend Curtis and his girlfriend Tara from Leader, wildlife photographer Barry Miller, Jordon and his mom Stella from Mississaga, Steve Chandler from Medicine Hat, Ryan Walker from Craven Sk, Jonothan Wright from East Coulee, Rick from Australia (and many countries, he drifts) and Matt from Australia and sometimes East Coulee.

Barry, Steve and Rick had excellent slide shows, which we did at the hall we rented for supper. Amazing slide shows, Steve and Rick sure do get around.

I will post some of our pictures from the day soon, right now I am quite tired. Between Vanan, Jordan and myself, we have 600 digital camera pictures.

Ryan

[HetForHuman]

awesome, sounded like a good time Ryan.
hopefully ill be able to make it for the next one, as i had to save money for the calgary show. But ill se you guys there anyway.


Tim

[Scales Zoo]

We are going to go again on the 26, 27 and 28 of September, if anyone wants to join us. You will be able to sign up at the Calgary show.

[Katt]

Well Vanan hasn't woken up to sort through the MANY pics of rattlers, bulls and garters we saw, but I'll post anyway.

THE RATTLER COUNT ROCKED!!
Oh yeah.

Hiking through clicks of hilly prairie land is the best thing I've done in a long long time. Exciting yet relaxing, Saskatchewan is beautiful country with fantstic herps. Encountering rattlers in the wild is a fantastic experience, and for me, seeing wild bulls was just wow. There is nothing like seeing a snake with good weight and thriving in rugged and tough land.

I thank SCALES for putting on the count and can't wait for the next one.

For those that missed out, I encourage you to make it out and see the rattlers.

[Vanan]

Ok well, yes I'm out of bed! But still under the weather. :P
Anyways, the count was great. Met some great people, and got to spend time chatting away. Not to mention the excellent herping. The scenery was breathtaking. Tried capturing some of it in the pics.

Anyways, without further ado, here are some teasers for those still undecided about coming out to the next Fall count.

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/196rattler2.jpg">
Nice yellow Crotalus viridis viridis found on the road.


<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/196rattler1.jpg">


<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/196pedoff1.jpg">
This pic seems befitting of a theme like "Don't Tread on Me".


<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/196bull2.jpg">
Portrait of a Saskatchewan bull. It's amazing how tame these wild bulls can be.


<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/196bull1.jpg">
And then there was this p-ed off bugger. I think this one just didn't like Jordan!


<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/196rattlersky1.jpg">
Unfortunately the skies weren't very cooperative on the 2nd day.


<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/196rattlerclose1.jpg">
A half decent closeup.

[HetForHuman]

Nice pics Vanan

If those are just the teasers where are all the rest??? LOL

[Katt]

OOh, wow, I saw those critters in the scale and boy they do look nice as pictures.

I'd love the one with the sky as a poster!

Super sweet.

nah nah nah boo boo. You guys missed out!!!

[Kyle Walkinshaw]

WOW!!! Awsome pictures!! Really wish I had gone

[Vanan]

Well the rest are still being resized and stuff. Gonna take me a while HetforHuman.

Well, Kyle, it's never too late!

[HetForHuman]

Thats cool Vanan, cant wait to see them though.