The last cold front that swung through over the weekend has finally made me concede that my herping season is over. Figured I'd throw some pictures out of some of my favorite finds from the past year.
Spring came early to Kansas after a very mild Winter (barely a Winter at all) and by March a variety of species were active.
Let's face it, some herps are just UGLY!
Being able to see timbers in their habitat was a highlight of the Spring.
Once in a while I even manage to take a picture of something other than a snake.
As Spring progressed I went looking for milk snakes with some success. This grungy adult was my lifer.
Great Plains rat snakes are common in areas where milk snakes live.
Additional searching led to some better looking milks.
This guy was a stunner (imo)
As Spring went on warm temperatures encouraged road cruising.
A face only a herper would love.
Sometimes roadcruising leads to an unexpected find!
'Headless' Sauga
Cool patterned rat snake.
This bull snake was NOT happy about being rescued from a busy road.
Ornate box turtles are a common find, although I rarely photograph them.
The herping became tough in the summer due to excessive heat and drought, and I limited my searching to occasional nights with limited success.
This longnose snake was the only snake found during a night of cruising, but it was a good one.
This Viridis was more than willing to hold his ground.
I walked up this little bull snake near my house. I liked the red coloration.
I was really excited to cruise up on this guy.
The hog got tired of the photo session, and started with the hooding behavior. After this we gave him some space and he headed off the road without assistance.
Any day with a timber is a good day!
A few young snakes were crawling around in the Fall, but not in the numbers I was hoping for. I literally came within an inch of running over this little garter. He was nestled up under my tire when I got out of the car.
A couple of my favorites from the fall.
I have a spot where eastern coachwhips seem to show up with regularity (usually spotted by my wife's sharp eyes).
That is a summary of my finds, special thanks to Kevin Scott who took me out with him numerous times. Also, several other people on the board have provided me with some pointers.
Think Spring!
Andrew
Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
Moderator: Scott Waters
- chris_mcmartin
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Re: Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
Awesome. That first collared sure was ugly, but you somewhat made up for it with the second.
Cool tornado pic too.
Cool tornado pic too.
- MattSullivan
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Re: Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
that eastern hog is spectacular. im still looking for one
- muskiemagnet
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Re: Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
i'm envious of the tornado.
the head on that angry bull was super colorful.
glad you had a good year.
-ben
the head on that angry bull was super colorful.
glad you had a good year.
-ben
- walk-about
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Re: Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
Andrew,
Looks like you covered alot of territory in 2012. Yeah, that timber den is really neat. Was that coachwhip solid black? Twister shot impressive. How close were you until you felt debris falling around or near you?
Rock oN!
Dave
Looks like you covered alot of territory in 2012. Yeah, that timber den is really neat. Was that coachwhip solid black? Twister shot impressive. How close were you until you felt debris falling around or near you?
Rock oN!
Dave
Re: Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
Chris- Yeah that collared was pretty ugly, but I posted him because of the way it was eyeing the camera. It had a real suspicious "don't get any closer to me" look.
Matt- Good luck with the hognose. I had seen a couple DORs before and spent some time cruising for them. Finally got my lifer. They really are a cool species.
Ben- The tornado was quite the accident (which is ironic since I am a stormchaser). Just drove up to it on the way to the herping area, hey it is Kansas so those things happen
Dave- The coachwhip was indeed solid black. I've seen several from that area, and they all have been at least nearly completely black. I was several miles from the tornado so no debris falling! I have been within 1/2 mile of one in the past and there was no debris then either, although the wind kicked up pretty nicely!
Matt- Good luck with the hognose. I had seen a couple DORs before and spent some time cruising for them. Finally got my lifer. They really are a cool species.
Ben- The tornado was quite the accident (which is ironic since I am a stormchaser). Just drove up to it on the way to the herping area, hey it is Kansas so those things happen
Dave- The coachwhip was indeed solid black. I've seen several from that area, and they all have been at least nearly completely black. I was several miles from the tornado so no debris falling! I have been within 1/2 mile of one in the past and there was no debris then either, although the wind kicked up pretty nicely!
Re: Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
Congrats on a good year! Always love the Kansas posts.
Liked the bullsnake with the reddish coloration and it is always cool to see a coachwhip with its head up like that!
Gary
Liked the bullsnake with the reddish coloration and it is always cool to see a coachwhip with its head up like that!
Gary
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Re: Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
Thanks for sharing!
Re: Year End Post (Mostly Kansas)!
Awesome post, beautiful reptiles!