How About a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

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tspuckler
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Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:40 pm

How About a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Post by tspuckler »

Snake Road and Surrounding Area - October 1-6

Western Cottonmouths were plentiful on day one at Snake Road, at least a dozen were seen. It was mostly sunny with temperatures in the upper 60s.
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Western Cottonmouth "showing off."
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A young Western Cottonmouth with a yellow tail.
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Here's what the swamp looked like.
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Young Black Rat Snake.
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A baby Common Snapping Turtle found on Snake Road.
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Green Treefrog on Poison Ivy.
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Rough Green Snake.
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Off-road I caught this large Plainbelly Water Snake.
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As well as this brilliantly colored small one.
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And I made friends with this dragonfly.
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One of several Midland Water Snakes that I came across.
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Eastern Fence Lizard.
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Day two was somewhat cooler and less sunny, with temperatures in the low 60s - Cave Salamander.
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Cave Salamander close-up.
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Portrait of a Western Cottonmouth.
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And another.
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Red-spotted Purples were frequently seen and this one seemed to be getting around just fine, despite missing a major part of its wing.
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I saw more Western Ribbon Snakes on this trip to southern Illinois than on any previous trip.
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Central Newt.
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Here's what the swamp looked like.
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American Giant Millipede.
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A well-camoflauged Bird-voiced Treefrog.
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A Bird-voiced Treefrog hanging out on the gate at Snake Road.
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Here's what the road looked like.
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Longtail Salamander.
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A young treefrog on Pokeberry.
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Grasshopper.
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Green Frog.
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Fowler's Toad.
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A very fuzzy caterpillar.
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A nice looking young adult Black Rat Snake.
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Harvestman.
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An "off road" Red-shouldered Hawk on a speed limit sign.
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Cricket Frogs were very common wherever I went herping.
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A European Giant Hornet drinking from a dirty hummingbird feeder.
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On Saturday, it was cool and overcast with daytime temperatures in the 50s. I visited this cypress swamp.
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Fowler's Toad.
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Sweetheart Underwing Moth on a park bench.
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Plainbelly Water Snake.
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Tall Bellflower.
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Mole Salamander.
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Snowy Tree Cricket
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Marbled Salamander.
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Wheel Bug.
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Banded version of a Midland Water Snake.
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Leopard Frog.
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Turtlehead growing along the Cache River.
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Eastern Box Turtle.
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Cardinal Flower.
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On Sunday it was too overcast and cold for much to be out on Snake Road, so I decided to focus on ambhibians and invertebrates in the surrounding area.

Habitat shot of the Big Muddy River.
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There were many Great Egrets to be seen.
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Blanchard's Cricket Frog
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Carabidae Beetle Larva
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Spotted Salamander.
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Heart-shaped Fungus.
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Wild Turkey on the bank of the Big Muddy River.
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Southern Leopard Frog.
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On Monday things were looking good for Snake Road, with sun and temperatures in the upper 70s. I joined forces with my 2013 Snake Road herping buddies, the Vanderpoel brothers.
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Black Rat Snake.
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Stag Beetle.
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We saw at least 50 Western Cottonmouths walking from the North to the South end of Snake Road. Here's one of them.
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A "lifer" Dwarf American Toad.
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One of the several Brown Snakes seen on the trip
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Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli).
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We found a fair number of Plainbelly Water Snakes on the trip...
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...but only one Redbelly Snake.
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An oddly colored and patterned Green Treefrog with blue blotches.
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Longtail Salamander.
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A Western Cottonmouth saying "chese" for the camera.
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Ringneck Snake.
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Slimy Salamander.
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A large Western Ribbon Snake...
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...and a baby Rough Green Snake.
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Paper Wasp.
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Tuesday wasn't too shabby for herping, with the weather being almost identical to the day before.

One of two Eastern Garter Snakes that were found.
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Black Rat Snake.
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European Ground Beetle.
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One of the two Copperheads that were seen on Tuesday.
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A Plainbelly Water Snake that was on the road.
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As you might expect, we saw a good number of Western Cottonmouths...
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...as well as getting a quick glimpse of this Timber Rattlesnake.
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Ringneck Snake.
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A Racer with a blue tint.
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Before you knew it, the trip was over. It was a great time. See you next year, Snake Road!
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MCHerper
Posts: 443
Joined: September 22nd, 2012, 6:13 pm

Re: How Abpout a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Post by MCHerper »

Awesome trip! I'd like to add a trip to snake road on my bucket list, you've inspired me!
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justinm
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Re: How Abpout a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Post by justinm »

I was there twice in the last two weeks and I still want to go back again after this post. You did really well for yourself, I don't know how we didn't see each other. Oh well maybe next year. I have been enjoying your facebook pics. I didn't shoot much this year, I got lazy thinking that a Mud snake would show if I left my camera.

Justin Michels
BethH
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Joined: May 12th, 2013, 6:47 pm

Re: How About a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Post by BethH »

Thanks for posting the pictures, and thanks for labeling each creature with the common names. For me, that helps a lot.

Beth
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walk-about
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Re: How About a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Post by walk-about »

tspuckler,

Man, those are some great finds and excellent images. I made it there last fall, but could not this year. That image of the Hyla cinerea with the blue spotting is quite intriguing and I have never seen one like that before. WoW! What an interesting beauty. Thank you so much for posting this and your trip to one of the most incredible places on earth...'The Road'.

Dave
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TJA
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Joined: September 2nd, 2015, 12:52 pm

Re: How About a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Post by TJA »

Great images, and such a variety. I especially love the blue and green Green Treefrog and the first Copperhead.
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pjfishpa
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Joined: June 2nd, 2013, 6:51 am
Location: NW Ohio / SE Michigan

Re: How About a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Post by pjfishpa »

Looks like a great trip! Very nice pics man. Hope to make it there in the spring next year.
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ahockenberry
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Re: How About a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Post by ahockenberry »

Wow, a great array of species and photos - thanks for posting !
Congrats!
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