I got to the forest Friday night, and Tamara and I slogged through mud and shallow water trying to spot and photograph one of the numerous Southern chorus frogs serenading us. She caught a juvenile banded water snake, but we were never able to find one of the frogs that night.
Banded Water Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
The next morning was fairly slow in terms of finds, but, after lunch, the finds (and texts notifying us of those finds) started rolling in. Two indigos were caught, but they were repeat offenders, having been caught last weekend. Four Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes were found, though! Daniel had kindly texted us the GPS coordinates for one he found, and, on the way to explore the area, Andy O'Connor found ours. Given Andy's yell, the entirety of Covington County probably knew we had found one.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake by adamcooner, on Flickr
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake by adamcooner, on Flickr
That night, I found my lifer ornate chorus frog less than a minute after entering the pond where they could be heard calling.
Ornate Chorus Frog by adamcooner, on Flickr
We also saw spring peepers and Southern chorus frogs in amplexus (sorry, I don't have any worthwhile photos).
Only a few of us were left for the Sunday hunt, and Jimmy assigned our group a few small areas to check out. At our second stop, Andy spotted what he described as a "black fist" emerging from a burrow and knew he had found our target. The snake slowly revealed about half its body length then froze on the burrow's apron. I slowly approached from behind and caught the snake while its attention was fixed on Andy.
In this photo, you can see the snake emerging from its burrow if you look in the upper left quadrant.
Eastern Indigo Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
Of course, we all got photos with the prize.
Eastern Indigo Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
Eastern Indigo Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
Eastern Indigo Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
Eastern Indigo Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
This particular indigo was confirmed to be a 4 year-old male (keeping sexing probes in my vehicle finally paid off). He measured in at 178 cm (5' 10") from snout to tail, a full 2 inches taller than me, and a little over 3 lb. Most importantly, this snake had not been seen since his release in 2012.
Overall, it was a GREAT weekend. Thanks to Jimmy and Jim for organizing the hunt and to all the fellow herpers who joined in this weekend!
Conecuh Weekend Results
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Adam Cooner
- Posts: 247
- Joined: July 8th, 2010, 3:50 pm
- Location: Calera, AL
- BillMcGighan
- Posts: 2362
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
This is so great!
Makes me happy to see some folks come so far and shares success.
Though well documented, I'm still always amazed on how such a powerful snake (with serious jaws) generally gets so docile after its capture.
Really encouraging.Most importantly, this snake had not been seen since his release in 2012.
Makes me happy to see some folks come so far and shares success.
Though well documented, I'm still always amazed on how such a powerful snake (with serious jaws) generally gets so docile after its capture.
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- Posts: 2248
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:42 am
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Wonderful post, Adam! So happy for you guys about your especially significant indigo find.
And we need to make Andy an honorary SE chapter member.
And we need to make Andy an honorary SE chapter member.
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- Posts: 79
- Joined: July 3rd, 2011, 2:26 pm
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
For the record, this is NOT the same diamondback that the group 3D was with found. This one has 9 segments on its rattle; the one the other group found had 13.
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Awesome pics and post Adam! I'm so glad I was able to participate in this effort, and it was great to meet some new faces and familiar ones as well.
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
That C. adamanteus is stunning! Looks like you guys had an awesome weekend!
- Daniel D Dye
- Posts: 1220
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:56 pm
- Location: New River (Brooker), Florida
- Contact:
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Excellent Idea, Tamara.Tamara D. McConnell wrote:Wonderful post, Adam! So happy for you guys about your especially significant indigo find.
And we need to make Andy an honorary SE chapter member.
I wish we could've stayed for the Sunday herping, you guys are awesome!
Thanks, Jim and Jimmy for another excellent year in Southern Alabama! Let's do it again next year!
Here's my contribution, found with my wife, Yvonne, and Rick Dowling.
Eastern Diamondback Rattle Snake (Crotalus adamanteus) by Daniel D Dye II, on Flickr
- Adam Cooner
- Posts: 247
- Joined: July 8th, 2010, 3:50 pm
- Location: Calera, AL
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Great shot, Daniel! Is it April yet? I'm ready for ANF...
- Joseph Jenkins
- Posts: 129
- Joined: June 9th, 2010, 8:43 pm
- Location: Madison, AL, Bankhead NF, and Auburn, AL
- Contact:
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Great pics Adam!
I had a blast this weekend herping with everyone again. Hopefully I can make ANF to see many of yall again.
I had a blast this weekend herping with everyone again. Hopefully I can make ANF to see many of yall again.
- Rich in Reptiles
- Posts: 494
- Joined: November 30th, 2012, 7:45 am
- Location: Missouri
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Sweet!
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
We did that too Kevin. i left before the probing, but saw them ID by scales.
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Indigos are awesome. Glad to hear of the recapture. They are an impressive animal.
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- Posts: 84
- Joined: November 5th, 2012, 5:13 pm
- Location: Dothan, al.
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Glad to hear, thanks again for having us. Look forward to next time.
Re: Conecuh Weekend Results
Great trip and finds! I HAVE to find my Indigo!