I don't often post on here. That being said, I ended up with some spare time tonight, and given the temperature outside is below 35 degrees, I figured making a post would really give me closure for a good year. I had a lot of fun, met a few new friends, and found some cool stuff. Lifers were few and far between, but that's okay. I've found that finding my favorite snakes after a days hard work makes it all worth it.
I started the year off in late March. While training for a fight, I sustained a pretty bad cut to the inside of my lip that needed stitches. I decided to take a few days off to let it heal, and spent one of those days down in Southern Illinois finding crawfish frogs with Keegan and Ryan.
Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
We saw and heard dozens of these big guys. Unfortunately they were ready for us, and most quickly disappeared into nearby burrows as we approached. Nonetheless, we got a few and had a great time.
Spring is a great time of the year to find ringed salamanders, surprisingly enough. One rainy night in April, Ryan, Kyle and I found dozens of ringed and spotted sallies. The most astounding observation that night was seeing five adult ringed salamanders breeding in a puddle on the side of a trail. Spermataphores and all.
Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Another outing in early April to a rocky hillside yielded all common herps. Given the heavy Winter, everything we saw was welcome.
Western Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
My first milk of the year was found while I was by myself on a familiar glade.
Red Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
As things warmed up in mid April, I took the time to find new dolomite glades on Google Maps. I found one that looked promising, and decided to check it out one cloudy Sunday afternoon. As I hiked the glade, I saw something I have always wanted to see: Two adult coachwhips sitting next to one another, heads aloft, under a ledge. There was a brief moment as the snakes and I wondered what to do. In one explosive lunge, I went for both. The one on the right escaped, but the one on the left I caught. It was the largest coach I have ever held, at somewhere between six and six-and-a-half feet long.
Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
My year was off to a good start.
A night of cruising in the rain for tiger salamanders yielded my first lifer of the year:
Plains Spadefoot (Spea bombifrons) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
These are not a common sight in Eastern Missouri.
Something I learned this year is that of all the wonderful habitat throughout Missouri, I enjoy glades the most. Even a day of common finds is very fulfilling for me; almost spiritual. As such, I spent a lot of time on new and familiar glades carefully turning rocks and photographing the denizens underneath. On a warm morning in May, I was hiking a known glade looking for collared lizards. As I came to the edge of one of the glades, I looked down at a large flat rock covered by a low cedar. Coming out from under that rock was coachwhip #3 for the year. I was elated!
Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
The time of year was perfect, so I planned an outing to the glade I found earlier in the year with a few friends. Chad, Kyle, Keith and I hit the glades hard that day. We found great plains rat snakes, racers, milks, collareds... and a coachwip, of course.
Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
One day Ryan, Edward and I went to a spot for pygmy rattlesnakes. Though none were seen, we did see lots of milks and specks. Five and six, respectively.
Red Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Speckled King Snake (Lampropeltis getula holbrooki) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Igneous glades are always fun. In Eastern Missouri, there are a number of them worth hiking for the view and experience alone. They may not be quite as reliable for herps since there are fewer rocks to flip, but they are still densely populated with cool stuff.
Western Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
My first timber of the year was found on the aforementioned hillside that I visited in early April (the second visit, though). My second would be found nearby, this time with Ryan and Matt. It was a formidable snake; it rattled and struck until we placed it back under its boulder.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
This beautiful milk was also seen. Ryan is red milk good luck charm!
Red Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Eastern collared lizards are something to behold in breeding season. The males are like bright jewels in the sun-- especially against igneous rocks! Here is one such male. My favorite thing about this shot is that I did not have to touch the lizard. I simply followed him around until I saw a nice opportunity.
Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Summer was upon us, and I switched my focus to night road-cruising and turtling. One day of both activities left us bummed out that our target could not be found. Our consolation prize was found in South Central Missouri while cruising. Did I mention it was also a lifer?
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Kyle, AKA 'The River Monster' (heh) showed me how to find some water turtles one day.
Common Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
And look at this bad boy! Ozark western cottonmouths are pretty... but this one was nuts! I was chasing a larger cotton for hopes of getting pictures, when this one dropped into the water to escape the fray:
Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
One last visit to the timber hillside in early Fall with my friend Edward would yield this very pretty timber.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
This seasoned rattler had twelve segments! It was only three feet long, though.
Kyle and I took a trip to Arkansas just a few weeks back where we met up with Kory and a few of his friends. Though only common snakes were seen, we had a blast. I can't wait to make a return trip!
Broadbanded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata confluens) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Diamondback Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
One last outing to Snake Road with my wife, Maddie, and we finished out the year. Many cottons and water snakes were seen near the bluffs. Nothing too crazy, though. I have never had a spectacular day at that location. I still love it, though. I can't wait for things to warm up again! I'm sure that much like this year, my ambitions will far outrun my achievements, but I'm gonna aim high anyways. Why not?
Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) by 2ndPeter, on Flickr
2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Moderator: Scott Waters
- FloridaSerpent
- Posts: 85
- Joined: October 18th, 2014, 12:12 pm
- Location: South Florida
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Those coachwhips are absolutely gorgeous. Great finds
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Great post, the coachwhips are definitely my favorites. The second one is just awesome!
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Hey thanks guys! They are my favoritest of snakes by far.
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Agree with the others. That second coachwhip is probably the prettiest coachwhip I've ever seen. Stunning.
Great post, great photos. Thanks for taking the time.
Chris
Great post, great photos. Thanks for taking the time.
Chris
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Nice finds!
Some really awesome coachwhips!
Gary
Some really awesome coachwhips!
Gary
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Thanks! I'm really happy with all that I saw this year. It makes me optimistic about next year... and better able to focus on other things for a few months. These Midwest Winters are really not cool in my book.
Also: I was glad to see that you liked this post, Gary. I always enjoy your coachwhip themed reports!
Also: I was glad to see that you liked this post, Gary. I always enjoy your coachwhip themed reports!
- Brian Willey
- Posts: 100
- Joined: June 21st, 2010, 6:32 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Wow that second Coachwhip is a real stunner! I like the look of that Cotton too.
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
The second coachwhip really was surreal. The bright red bands looked stunning in real life, and my picture certainly did not do the snake justice.
- chris_mcmartin
- Posts: 2447
- Joined: June 9th, 2010, 12:13 am
- Location: Greater Houston TX Area
- Contact:
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
What state were the collared lizards?
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Both were from Missouri.
-
- Posts: 77
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 2:04 pm
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Really good stuff here It makes me miss my old stomping grounds in Missouri. Coachwhips in Missouri remained a white whale for me. I spent a lot of time in Missouri in good habitat looking for them, but the closest I ever got to one was a shed. Elusive little buggers
Kevin
Kevin
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
I agree with some of the other replies - those coachwhips are fantastic; especially the dark one with red trim! Very cool. That cottonmouth is also extra nice and the 2nd timber (in situ?) is a smoker! Thanks!
York
York
Re: 2014 in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas
Thanks guys! That timber was not in situ. It was definitely a good year for coachwhips. I invested a lot of time in getting good pictures of each one seen, since they are such a rare find for me. I spent a LOT of time targeting them this year. It helps that all those glades are within an hour of my apartment.