Flipping over 2015 (La, Tex, Miss, Ala, Fla. Co.) EOY

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
Rman
Posts: 142
Joined: April 22nd, 2012, 3:32 pm
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Flipping over 2015 (La, Tex, Miss, Ala, Fla. Co.) EOY

Post by Rman »

It was a great year of field herping for me. So many terrific finds with the best people to share them with. There were quite a few memorable experiences with no bad ones to recall.

The best part of field herping for me is having good friends that share the same passion for the hunt and drive to find the targets. On many occasions last year my friend Kyle (Soopaman) would say,"We can't have a bad day now!". Luckily for us, Kyle said this quite often. There were some really good times had with friends Brennan, Pat,Sean, Ashley,DBD,Tamara and Raymond,Blake,Sky, Tim and the gang from Colorado also valuable advise from Jeff. Ya'll made my 2015 great!

Okay, I'll get with it.

Mid January in Central Louisiana
Energized with wishful thinking, Kyle and I managed one snake that day. Still nice to get out and test things.
ImageWestern Ribbon Snake by Armin, on Flickr
Still managing a few things in the cool weather.
ImageTexas Ratsnake by Armin, on Flickr
The corn snakes are thankfully cold friendly.
ImageCorn Snake, Louisiana by Armin, on Flickr
ImageJuvi Canebrake, East Louisiana. 2-23-15 insitu. by Armin, on Flickr
South Texas is so great for curing the winter blues.
ImageWestern Diamondback. South Texas 2-26-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageRuthven's Whipsnake, South Texas 2-26-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageWestern Diamondback. South Texas, 2-26-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageBlack-striped snake, South Texas, 2-26-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageWestern Diamondback. South Texas 2-27-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageAnother shot of the cat-eyed snake. S. Texas 2-27-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageTexas Patch-nosed Snake, South Texas juvi 2-27-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled\Desert King intergrade. Coastal Texas 2-27-15 by Armin, on Flickr

Back home in Louisiana
ImageSpeckled King Snake, Louisiana 3-8-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageJuvi Canebrake, South Louisiana 3-8-15. In situ by Armin, on Flickr
ImageJuvi Canebrake, South Louisiana 3-8-15. In situ by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled King Snake, Louisiana 3-8-15 by Armin, on Flickr

Kicked up mud!
ImageWestern Mud Snake, South Louisiana 3-15-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Copperhead Southeast Louisiana. by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled King Snake, South Louisiana 3-24-15 In situ by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake, South Louisiana 3-24-15. by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled King Snake, South Louisiana 3-24-15 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled King Snake, South Louisiana 3-24-15 by Armin, on Flickr

Once again, Kyle and I got rolling on another highly anticipated herping trip to places in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. In Florida we met with friends DBD and Robert Zappalorti. As usual, Dave took good care of us and showed us some cool stuff in the Florida panhandle.

ImageGrey Rat Snake by Armin, on Flickr
ImageEastern Coachwhip by Armin, on Flickr
ImageGrey Rat Snake by Armin, on Flickr
ImageEastern Coachwhip. In situ by Armin, on FlickrI
Image. In situ by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Copperhead. In situ by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Copperhead by Armin, on Flickr
ImageGrey Rat Snake by Armin, on Flickr
ImageFlorida Pine snake by Armin, on Flickr

The next step in our journey was in southern Alabama. Big thanks to Tamara and Raymond McConnell for such an unforgettable day!

ImageCorn Snake by Armin, on Flickr

Things were already going good but suddenly turned into great! "Can't have a bad day now!"
ImageBlack Pine Snake, Southern Alabama March 2015 in situ by Armin, on Flickr
ImageBlack Pine Snake, Southern Alabama March 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageEastern Diamondback Rattle Snake by Armin, on Flickr
ImageEastern Diamondback Rattle Snake by Armin, on Flickr
ImageScarlet King Snake by Armin, on Flickr
ImagePine Woods Snake by Armin, on Flickr

For our last leg we managed a couple nice things a hog and a scarlet king (not shown because in shed)

ImageEastern Hognose Snake. Southern Mississippi by Armin, on Flickr

Some more from home in Louisiana.

ImageEastern Hognose Snake by Armin, on Flickr
Pat with coppers
ImagePat with Southern Coppers by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled King Snake. Southeast Louisiana by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattle Snake. North Louisiana April 2014 In situ. by Armin, on Flickr
ImageButtermilk Racer. North Louisiana, April 2015 by Armin, on Flickr

Ever so nice to have yet another herping excursion. This time with friends Pat and Sean we drove west into East Texas where we met with Kyle. Starting with a bit East Texas herping then making the jump up to North Texas. We had a great time finding snakes including our target of Western Massasaugas.

ImageLouisiana Milk Snake. E. Texas, April 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageLouisiana Milk Snake. E. Texas, April 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled King Snake. April 2015, N.Texas by Armin, on Flickr
ImageYoung Western Massasauga Rattlesnake. April 2015, N Texas by Armin, on Flickr
ImageEastern Yellowbelly Racer. April 2015, N Texas by Armin, on Flickr
Image#2 Western Massasauga Rattle Snake. April 2015, N Texas by Armin, on Flickr
A quick outing into Oklahoma produced several vividly colored collared lizards

Imagecollared lizard April 2015, S Oklahoma by Armin, on Flickr

More from Louisiana.

This unfortunate Canebrake was near the end of her life due to age or illness. Found her skeleton close by two weeks after this photo.
ImageCanebrake Rattle Snake. May, 2015 Southeast Louisiana by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattle Snake. May, 2015 Southeast Louisiana by Armin, on Flickr
ImageYoung Canebrake Rattle Snake. South Louisiana, 2015 In situ. by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake, Southeast Louisiana May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake, Southeast Louisiana May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake, Southeast Louisiana May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageScarlet King Snake, Southeast Louisiana. May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled King Snake. South Louisiana, May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageLouisiana Milk Snake. North Louisiana, May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
Kyle with mega mud from Texas.
ImageKyle With Huge Mud Snake. May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageBlack Rat Snake. North Louisiana, May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImagePrairie King Snake. North Louisiana May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake Southeast Louisiana, May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattle Snake, Southeast Louisiana, May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattle Snake, Southeast Louisiana, May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Copperhead. Southeast Louisiana, May 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake Southeast Louisiana, June 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake Southeast Louisiana June 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake Southeast Louisiana June 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake, Southeast Louisiana, July 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageIMGP4262 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake, Southeast Louisiana, July 2015 by Armin, on Flickr

A business trip to Colorado that also doubled as a family vacation awarded some herping time with friend Tim Warfel. I met with Tim and his son one evening to see some snakes. We were joined by a terrific group of local herpers that quickly put us one some really nice snakes. The experience was seriously fun!
ImageWestern Hognose snake, Colorado, July 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageWestern Hognose snake, Colorado, July 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImagePrairie Rattlesnake, Colorado. July 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImagePrairie Rattlesnake, Colorado. July 2015 by Armin, on Flickr

Must be back in Louisiana

ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana. August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana. August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageButtermilk Racer. Central Louisiana, August 2014 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageGlossy Crawfish Snake. Central Louisiana, August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast, Louisiana August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
Big cane!
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast, Louisiana August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
The hiking stick measured 51.5"
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast, Louisiana August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana, August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana, August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana, August 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageButtermilk Racer North Louisiana. Sept. 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageLouisiana Milk Snake. North Louisiana. Sept 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageWestern Pygmy Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana. Sept. 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageWestern Pygmy Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana. Sept. 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana. September 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana. September 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageWestern Pygmy Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana September 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageWestern Pygmy Rattlesnake. Southeast Louisiana September 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Copperheads, Southeast Louisiana, Oct 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageEastern hognose snake. Southeast Louisiana, Oct. 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageScarlet Kingsnake, Southeast Louisiana, October 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake, Southeast Louisiana October 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageTexas Coral Snake, North Louisiana, October 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageRat Snake, Southeast Louisiana November, 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled King Snake. Southeast Louisiana, November 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageJuvi Black-Masked Racer, Southeast Louisiana. November 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCorn Snake. Southeast Louisiana, December 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Kingsnake. Southeast Louisiana, December 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageTexas Ratsnake, Southeast Louisiana. December 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCorn Snake Southeast Louisiana. December 2015 by Armin, on Flickr
ImageCorn Snake Southeast Louisiana. December 2015 by Armin, on Flickr

I'm going to miss you 2015, but it's time to flip 2016. I'm sure it will be great!
User avatar
Soopaman
Posts: 924
Joined: March 18th, 2012, 7:34 pm
Location: Houston, Texas

Re: Flipping over 2015 (La, Tex, Miss, Ala, Fla. Co.) EOY

Post by Soopaman »

I forgot just how many dang canes you found last year! They just kept coming!

Nice shots, all of them. That corn on the farm equipment is still one of my favorites of yours! Not to mention the fat tire cane, and the double milk shot. You really make those kings at your camp look good. I'll have to pay more attention to those next time I visit.

Cheers to a flippin' sweet '16! :beer:
Tamara D. McConnell
Posts: 2248
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:42 am

Re: Flipping over 2015 (La, Tex, Miss, Ala, Fla. Co.) EOY

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

Remarkable photos! Your images really show the glory and beauty of the animals.
I love all those canes, and the collared lizard is spectacular.
It was wonderful herping with you and Kyle. Come on back anytime.
User avatar
Berkeley Boone
Posts: 878
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am

Re: Flipping over 2015 (La, Tex, Miss, Ala, Fla. Co.) EOY

Post by Berkeley Boone »

Wow. What a treat for the eyes!
So much good stuff in there. Those speckleds are just phenomenal!

Thanks for sharing!

--Berkeley
Rman
Posts: 142
Joined: April 22nd, 2012, 3:32 pm
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Re: Flipping over 2015 (La, Tex, Miss, Ala, Fla. Co.) EOY

Post by Rman »

Thank you Kyle, Tamara and Berkeley very much! It's been such a pleasure to to have these times in the field.

Tamara, I would love to return to your area of Alabama. It's definitely a great place for herping. I also want to make the same offer for you and Raymond to visit my place in Louisiana. I have 90 areas of good herping and a comfortable cabin with a freezer that can hold a lot of icecream! Haha
User avatar
Mike Pingleton
Posts: 1471
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:45 am
Location: One of the boys from Illinois
Contact:

Re: Flipping over 2015 (La, Tex, Miss, Ala, Fla. Co.) EOY

Post by Mike Pingleton »

awesome! Great pics - herp overload :)

-Mike
Post Reply