Made our second trip to Snakedays in Sanderson, Texas. Had a great time...here's some pics.
The trip started out with a fine lunch at Cooper's BBQ in fort worth. Jeremy destroyed a whole chicken and a pound of brisket...he likes protein. The rest of us weren't on a diet either...
Friday was a bit disconcerting. We started our day in the Davis mtns at the observatory...temps were 57 & foggy. Not exactly what we had in mind for west texas herping...
Flipping some rocks revealed a couple of nice lizards.
Whiptail
and a couple great plains skinks-
the little one sought refuge in Manning's mane...
adult
telescopes
Davis Mtns habitat
We drove up one popular road in the afternoon.
The road didnt really produce any herps, but it did produce a geocache for our geocaching sailor, Eric.
and a nice rio grande turkey
Naturally, mike had to chunk a rock at it...
Always heard Marfa was a wacky place, so we decided to head there for lunch.
Marfa was kinda light on weirdos, but they did have this pink firehouse.
and a pink court house
Sadly, the only thing open at 3 on friday in Marfa was the DQ, which is great for a blizzard, but not for lunch. We pulled into this place on the west end of town, only to find it closed as well...but the owner saw us, came out and offered to cook for us. If you are in marfa, give Buns and Roses a try. you can get a dozen roses and a quesadilla in one order.
Nice to know, even in marfa, there are a**holes...
A storm blew up to the north, changing our evening plans...
So we zipped south and flew through here...
The drought from a few years ago was brutal...you know its dry when cactus and octillo are dead.
terlingua, texas
a few of the animals cruised friday night...
the flash/shutter speed made the rattle on this one look cool...
The next day, we spent at the Snakedays event in Sanderson...listening to a diverse group of speakers talk about herp related topics.
Even Johnny Law showed up. He was very courteous and professional, but the gist of what we got from his talk is - best have a license when herping in texas and everything else will depend on the mood of the officer. Not real comforting...but I think they understand what herpers are about, and both run-ins our group has had with them in the field has been totally positive.
A nice display of all the native stuff was there to oggle...
Arkansas boys representin. Ironically, none of these dumb@sses are from Arkansas...
The event concluded with a catered meal of brisket and chicken....lots of legendary herpers in this pic....
Thanks to a dude from maylasia for taking this picture. He was wondering the streets of Sanderson with a Nikon, so he was gracious enough to snap our pic in front of the banner.
Love the sunsets in west Texas
Didnt find these two....some guys staying in the room next to ours had, and let me shoot some pics. Good example of the variability of this species down here, depending where you find it.
Sexing the more mottled looking one... turned out to be a male.
Blended in with the parking lot quite well, didnt it?
Sunday afternoon found us hangin out on the porch of our bungalow talking herps with new friends and legends.
Also had time to shoot some daylight pics of other finds.
This baby sub-oc was impossible to photograph.
Got some copius amounts of locale information for one that we just cant seem to find...this guy said they were here.
Finally! Noticed a little something that didnt look right under this bush...turned out to be our target and a monkey off my back!
Last find was this gp rat crossing the road at dusk.
No alterna this year, but finding the lepidus and the pictigaster certainly made up for it!
good herping.
Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Mulebrother
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- John Martin
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Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Haha, this one about made me spew on the keyboard...
Looks like you found a fair few nice things. But NO ALTERNA?! C'mon boys, you gotta do better than that. Sigh, I do miss my West Texas days from the late '70's and '80's. Good job with photos and write-up of your trip!Mulebrother wrote: Arkansas boys representin. Ironically, none of these dumb@sses are from Arkansas...
Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Nice writeup, I really need to get down there. I saw Chaddles and thought I haven't talked to him in too long. The molossus were awesome looking there, and the scenery is cool. I like it when shout outs are given for good food too.
- bushmaster W30
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Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Man I've had a Hard on for that trans-pecos copperhead since manning text me the pics of it. Congrats man.
Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Definitely a fun trip, B.
I miss Cooper's already.
I miss Cooper's already.
Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Cool trip yall!
- chris_mcmartin
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Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Which one of the bunch do I need to harrass for the Data Collection Project?
Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Even though no alterna were found on this trip I still had an incredible time. The cool snakes we found more than made up for it! Any time I can hang with old friends and make new ones it's a good time!
Chris, I'll throw Brad under the bus and say he'll take care of it.
Chris, I'll throw Brad under the bus and say he'll take care of it.
- Gluesenkamp
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Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
I call BS without data. C'mon guys, show Chris some love.
- chris_mcmartin
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Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
I have not yet BEGUN to hassle people about the data!Gluesenkamp wrote:I call BS without data. C'mon guys, show Chris some love.
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Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Outstanding photos. Really nice finds.
- chris drake
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Re: Snakedays, Sanderson Texas
Great finds. Your lepidus was killer. Seems like everyone had a good time at Snake Days. Hated missing it.
Chris
Chris