Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

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Brian Willey
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Joined: June 21st, 2010, 6:32 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by Brian Willey »

It has been awhile since I've shared anything and now that we are a month into the new year I figure now is as good a time as any to share some highlights. I have a lot of photos to put up so I'm going to split the past couple of years into two separate posts. I'm first going to jump back to 2012.

In March Mike Steffen, Ryan Thies and I took a trip to South Florida, making stops along the way in Georgia and other parts of Florida.

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Best shot I could get of the Manatee we encountered:
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This thing was just insane!
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A few weeks later it started to warm up in Missouri.

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A pair of large Eastern Coachwhips were flipped under the rock in the foreground.
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A shot of me with both:
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My girlfriend Sarah with her first Great Plains Rat.
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One day in May, Sarah and I visited some glades in Southern Missouri and only found four snakes total, the following:

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In July I made my favorite find of the year. Ryan and I had put in quite a bit of effort trying to find Macrochelys in Missouri, well one warm summer day we were finally rewarded with this beast, thrilling to say the least!

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The summer wasn't over yet though. In August, Sarah, Ryan and I decided it was time to get ourselves to Arizona. Thanks to Mike Cravens, Kris Haas and others I think we did alright. ;)

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My lifer Crotalus atrox:
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On the way back home we stopped at the zoo in Amarillo, TX and it just happened to be feeding time for these guys.
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We also roadcruised in Oklahoma and picked up another Crote species.
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At the end of September my dad and I went camping in northwestern Missouri. I finally checked Nerodia erythrogaster transversa off my list.
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Wet prairie, home of Sistrurus catenatus:
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Aside from the NAFHA meeting in Southern Illinois, that rounded out my year. It was definitely a very good one. Thanks for viewing and stay tuned for part 2, 2013!
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TravisK
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Re: Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by TravisK »

Nice post, pics, and species diversity. Good Job, I love the solifugid!
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Mike VanValen
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Re: Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by Mike VanValen »

Wow, great stuff. Nice to see the Narrow-headed Garter. I don't recall many of those posted here. And yes, that yellow king is fantastic!
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Trey
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Re: Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by Trey »

Love this post
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Jeroen Speybroeck
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Re: Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by Jeroen Speybroeck »

What a great year! Looking forward to see what's next.
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justinm
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Re: Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by justinm »

You and Ryan both need to post more. Great finds, you have really made some impressive finds. That first king is a what? Sorta looks like a meansi?
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IllinoisGuy
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Re: Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by IllinoisGuy »

Wow, that first king is crazy. Great post!
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walk-about
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Re: Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by walk-about »

Brian - Excellent post sir! Love the scenic habitat shots and others. Ridgenose, Twinspot and Mottled Rock rattlers so perfect. Love that Western Pygmy too! I would like to know more about your alligator snapper find - may I ask what state? Easily one of my all time favorite southern turtles. Thank for this one.

Rock ON!

Dave
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Brian Willey
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Re: Last Couple of Years: Part 1, 2012

Post by Brian Willey »

I appreciate the comments everyone!

Justin-That king is brooksi.

Dave-The Alligator Snapper was found in southern Missouri.
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