I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edition

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
Mr.Talltree
Posts: 200
Joined: March 22nd, 2012, 10:15 pm
Location: San Francisco, Ca.

I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edition

Post by Mr.Talltree »

Here is the latest culmination of my snake encounters. I've managed to find a few more lifers, tons of rattlers, and lots of other cool stuff.

First off is a juvenile Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus oreganus, found in Contra Costa county.
Image


After diligently hunting for Diablo Range Garters around this pond, my cohort Jared found someone else that was probably hunting garters: A California Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula californiae, in Contra Costa county. I was pretty excited, Jared was less enthusiastic.
Image

Next up is an unusual encounter. I spent the morning before an afternoon class hiking around some park lands in hopes of finding some snakes. No snakes in the park, but on the short drive back to school at around 11am, I inadvertently road cruised this nice sized Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus oreganus, in Alameda county.
Image

With much anticipation, I planned a mid-May trip to the farm. I had lots of boards to check and with some recent precipitation and favorable weather conditions, I thought it'd be like shooting fish in a barrel. Nothing could've been further from the truth--I only found one snake the entire time I was there: A Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Coluber constrictor mormon, Shasta county.
Image

Upon my return from the farm, I was hungry for snakes. I decided to make up for my disappointing trip by focusing on my tried and true bay area spots.

From the start, my bay area resources paid off. First up to bat: Santa Cruz Gartersnake, Thamnophis atratus atratus, Santa Clara county.
Image

Image

A little way from the pond was this Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus oreganus, Santa Clara county.
Image

Down the trail to a promising rocky outcrop, I found yet another Northern Pacific Rattlesnake getting ready for a shed, this one a yearling, Crotalus oreganus oreganus, Santa Clara county.
Image

A week later under the same rock, this little critter had managed to slough off his skin and was looking all shiny and new.
Image

Meanwhile, down the road in another location, there were lots more vipers to be found.

This one was hanging out in some rocks where there should've been my lifer Zonata--another Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus oreganus, San Mateo county.
Image

And another one, this one a yearling.
Image

And then this one which posed nicely for a couple of semi-decent photos.
Image

Image

There were about 3 or 4 more that were seen...or almost stepped on that day, that I didn't photo. It seemed like every pile of rocks was buzzing. I had reached my crote limit and decided to head back to the city.

A few days later I decided to head to one of my spots in Contra Costa county. First find of the day was this yearling Pacific Gophersnake preparing for a shed, Pituophis catenifer catenifer.
Image

Then, with Jared's help, we were finally able to find a species that I knew was there, but never had seen: The Diablo Range Gartersnake Thamnophis atratus zaxanthus.

This was huge one hanging out in the reeds, just out of reach.
Image

After trying unsuccessfully to hook the large Diablo, I took off my boots and walked a few feet into the pond and grabbed this sub-adult that was basking and completely oblivious on the same batch of reeds.
Image

Meanwhile, about 10 feet away, this large Northern Pacific Rattlesnake sat in a hole and watched Jared and I spend 30 minutes trying to wrangle the Diablos.
Image

A few days later hiking with Mrs.Talltree in San Mateo, I found a pseudo-lifer, a flame-phase Coast Gartersnake, Thamnophis elegans terrestris. Oddly, it was on the crawl in a damp, tree-lined part of the trail.
Image

Image

A few days later looking for San Francisco Gartersnakes on the coast, Jared and I encountered this Pacific Gophersnake basking at the edge of a pond. No gartersnakes were seen, not even a coastie. Weird. Pituophis catenifer catenifer, San Mateo county.
Image

By now flipping season was dwindling and it was time to hit the roads. I was thrilled when I pulled over for this guy, which upon initial sighting I thought was a gophersnake. It was a lifer; a Long-nosed snake that refused to sit still, Rhinocheilus Leconteii, Alameda county.
Image

Image

Out in Marin looking for my aquatic intergrade, Jared nabbed what is one of the most beautiful snakes I've ever encountered: A screaming California Red-sided Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis. They don't get much prettier than this.
Image

Image

Image

Image

Back up to the farm. When we arrived, the area was in the midst of receiving 2 inches of rain from a freak summer-time storm. This inspired me. As soon as it stopped raining, temps were up in the 80s. I checked all my boards to no avail. Being frustrated and diligent, I decided to go back out and stomp around in hopes of finding something on the crawl. I departed for my afternoon effort around 4:30; by 5:15pm I had searched all the pond habitat for garters with no luck. As I was walking around the scrub terrain near one of the pastures, I looked down to my right to find a great surprise: a full-grown California Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula californiae, Shasta county.
Image

Image

Image

Elated at my discovery and full of steak, I decided it was time to test out some of the local back roads in the area. The moon wasn't rising until after mid-night and the temps were holding strong in the mid 70s. I headed out at dusk and it automatically paid off. On my first pass I found a DOR Valley Gartersnake, which would've been a lifer, and then on my return pass, I came across the 947th Norpac I had seen since March--he was heated and moving too fast to photo. About 3 minutes farther down the road I found this adult Cal King stretched out on the asphalt.
Image

Image

The next night I headed out to the same road and within 5 minutes cruised a juvenile Pacific Gophersnake--he was hot and quick and I didn't catch him in time for a photo. 10 minutes later I found this sub-adult Cal King.
Image

Image

Back in the bay area, with temps high, I decided to do some more cruising. First find of the night was this Guiness Black & Tan morph California Kingsnake, Lampopeltis getula californiae, Alameda county.
Image

Image

Another King, Gophersnake, and Rattlesnake were found, but not photo'd. And then this, another lifer for me, was found on our way out: California Glossy Snake, Arizona elegans occidentalis, Alameda county.
Image

Image

Image

That's it for now. There are still many, many snakes that I need to find this year, so I'll be out wandering the marshes and ponds and cruising various roads until these goals are met or my life falls apart at the seams.

Thanks for checking-
Luke
TimCO
Posts: 891
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:27 am
Location: Colorado

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by TimCO »

Thanks for a sweet post Luke. Those garters get me fired up to come out your way. Nice glossy too.
User avatar
JAMAUGHN
Posts: 1131
Joined: May 15th, 2011, 12:16 am
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Contact:

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by JAMAUGHN »

Great post. The Glossy and the Long-nosed fill me with jealousy.

JimM
hellihooks
Posts: 8025
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:12 am
Location: Hesperia, California.
Contact:

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by hellihooks »

nice! that red-sided was stunning. jim
User avatar
TravisK
Posts: 774
Joined: July 8th, 2010, 11:14 am
Location: Eastern Washington

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by TravisK »

I am pretty sure this does actually make you a herper ;) Nice post.
Zach_Lim
Posts: 1607
Joined: June 10th, 2010, 8:37 pm

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by Zach_Lim »

....I regret not going out with you guys for that Glossy....

Good stuff, Luke!
User avatar
AndyO'Connor
Posts: 1019
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:14 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by AndyO'Connor »

Some nice finds. That infernalis is amazing. I plan on coming down to the Bay next year and hope to find all those garter species you found and are still looking for.
User avatar
CCarille
Posts: 380
Joined: January 8th, 2011, 5:51 am
Location: NY

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by CCarille »

Nice post! The Red-sided sure is a beauty!
User avatar
Eric East
Posts: 207
Joined: July 5th, 2010, 5:44 pm
Location: Greenwood, AR

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by Eric East »

I'm not much on garters but, that red sided is AWESOME! :beer:
mikeofyle
Posts: 6
Joined: July 8th, 2013, 2:13 am

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by mikeofyle »

Eric East wrote:...that red sided is AWESOME! :beer:
My new wallpaper! :mrgreen:
User avatar
Mark Brown
Posts: 567
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 2:15 am
Location: Austin, TX

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by Mark Brown »

mikeofyle wrote: My new wallpaper! :mrgreen:
Same here. If those aren't the most beautiful NA serpent, they are certainly in the running, IMO.
Tamara D. McConnell
Posts: 2248
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:42 am

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

I was dazzled by all the rattlesnakes. Then I saw the red-sided garter...WOW. That animal takes dazzle to a new level.
hellihooks
Posts: 8025
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:12 am
Location: Hesperia, California.
Contact:

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by hellihooks »

i nominated it (the first RSG pic) for 'pic of the week'... others (IMO) should as well... :thumb: jim
User avatar
Mr.Talltree
Posts: 200
Joined: March 22nd, 2012, 10:15 pm
Location: San Francisco, Ca.

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by Mr.Talltree »

JAMAUGHN wrote:Great post. The Glossy and the Long-nosed fill me with jealousy.
Jim--We'll have to get you out on the road with us soon. Shouldn't be too hard to get you a Glossy and a Long-nosed. Temps are supposed to by picking up by this weekend...just sayin.
TravisK wrote:I am pretty sure this does actually make you a herper ;) Nice post.
You may be correct with your assessment, but let's keep it under wraps ;) :lol:
CCarille wrote:Nice post! The Red-sided sure is a beauty!
Eric East wrote:I'm not much on garters but, that red sided is AWESOME! :beer:
mikeofyle wrote:My new wallpaper! :mrgreen:
Mark Brown wrote:Same here. If those aren't the most beautiful NA serpent, they are certainly in the running, IMO.
Tamara D. McConnell wrote:I was dazzled by all the rattlesnakes. Then I saw the red-sided garter...WOW. That animal takes dazzle to a new level.
I'm glad you all enjoyed that little Red guy! They really are unbelievably striking.
hellihooks wrote:i nominated it (the first RSG pic) for 'pic of the week'... others (IMO) should as well... :thumb: jim
Thanks, Jim! I'm flattered.

Luke :mrgreen:
User avatar
sjfriend
Posts: 257
Joined: February 20th, 2011, 1:38 pm
Location: Alaska

Re: I'm not a herper; I just like catching snakes-Norcal edi

Post by sjfriend »

I've never found any garters that amazing! Even when I was living in Novato never got that lucky. Thanks for the great post.
Post Reply