Alabama thus far 2016

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Matt Arnold
Posts: 174
Joined: August 14th, 2011, 6:26 pm
Location: North Alabama

Alabama thus far 2016

Post by Matt Arnold »

Last post: http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... =2&t=22601

Been a while since i've posted here. (about 6 months it seems). First, towards the end of last year while hiking my favorite power line I stumbled across a few rookery rocks featuring mom's + babies:

ImageBaby Timber Rattlesnakes by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

ImageMom + baby Timber Rattelsnakes by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

Those were my last snakes of 2015, and I spent the winter inside. Spring has finally come, though it has been a strange one, and a bit of a slower start than most years.

Early March is usually hit or miss but once the middle of the month comes things are normally in full swing.. this year, in early March, kings started making an appearance. Kevin Messenger and I took to the power line and turned up a pair basking together in no time:

ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

On the way back to the car, this rat snake was out cruising the power line:

ImageGray Rat Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

A week or so later I visited a particular swampy area that is settled close to the Tennessee River. Heres a Midland I turned up in rocky habitat along the river:

ImageMidland Water Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

Also turned up this Eastern Ribbon Snake:

ImageEastern Ribbon Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

Colder weather set in for the next week and a half, and kept me indoors until late March. One afternoon I went out to flip a bit of artificial cover and turned up a couple snakes in the process:
ImageEastern Garter Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Black Racer by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Black Racer by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

Then, came April. April is pretty much the month of Kingsnakes in my area. i've seen close to 20 in the last few weeks. One overcast day I turned up another, as well as another Gray Rat Snake
ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageGray Rat Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

2 days later, 3 more kings:
ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

I managed to get a change of scenery one weekend and met up with Adam Cooner, Tamara & Ray McConnell, Robb Herrington, and a few others down in central and south alabama. 2 days, lots of snakes:
ImageSmooth Earth Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageGray Rat Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageTamara by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageSoutheastern Crowned Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageEastern King Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageCottonmouth by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageCottonmouth by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageRedbelly Water Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageRedbelly Water Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageBrown Water Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageGray Rat Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageCottonmouth by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageRed Milk Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageRed Milk Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageRed Milk Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageGray Rat Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

Earlier this week, Kevin and I were back at it on the power line, hoping for our first Timber of the year. About 3 weeks late, we finally found our target:
ImageTimber Rattlesnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageTimber Rattlesnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

Oh, and more kings were found too
ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageBlack Kingsnake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

We also found this Rat Snake laying in wait, likely for a squirrel or some rodent to take a wrong turn:
ImageGrat Rat Snake - In-situ by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

And earlier today, before some rain set in, I turned up a couple Ribbon Snakes:
ImageEastern Ribbon Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
ImageEastern Ribbon Snake by Matt Arnold, on Flickr

Happy spring and thanks for looking! :beer:
Tamara D. McConnell
Posts: 2248
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:42 am

Re: Alabama thus far 2016

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

So many great finds and photos...but the red milks are just stupendous. WOW!
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dwakefield
Posts: 122
Joined: February 18th, 2015, 11:11 am
Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida
Contact:

Re: Alabama thus far 2016

Post by dwakefield »

Love all those kingsnakes especially! Great photos!
BirdLover420
Posts: 2
Joined: February 8th, 2016, 11:42 am
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Alabama thus far 2016

Post by BirdLover420 »

Fun finds! Beautiful snakes!
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Ameron
Posts: 60
Joined: June 10th, 2010, 5:57 pm
Location: Portland/Vancouver

So Far, So Good!

Post by Ameron »

Three species of kingsnake in one state! It's just not fair!!!

What fun it must be driving to different places in the state, experiencing the different species along the way. I've never seen a Black nor Speckles Kingsnake ever, for sale or in any collection.

Must be nice living in the South, y'all.

1.0 Florida Kingsnake
0.1 Sonoran Desert Boa (Mexican Rosy Boa)
0.1 Dumeril's Boa

1.0 Eastern Box Turtle
1.0 Three-toed Box Turtle
Matt Arnold
Posts: 174
Joined: August 14th, 2011, 6:26 pm
Location: North Alabama

Re: So Far, So Good!

Post by Matt Arnold »

Ameron wrote:Three species of kingsnake in one state! It's just not fair!!!

What fun it must be driving to different places in the state, experiencing the different species along the way. I've never seen a Black nor Speckles Kingsnake ever, for sale or in any collection.

Must be nice living in the South, y'all.

1.0 Florida Kingsnake
0.1 Sonoran Desert Boa (Mexican Rosy Boa)
0.1 Dumeril's Boa

1.0 Eastern Box Turtle
1.0 Three-toed Box Turtle
There's actually more in the state, that I havent found yet this year, but typically do each year - Eastern Milk Snake, Scarlet Kingsnake, Mole/Prairie Kingsnake, Speckled Kingsnake, Alabama is a pretty cool place :D
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