January
02, 2004
Mostly Sunny 70°
|
Temperature seemed right today, so
I just couldn't pass up a great January opportunity like this. I
have never seen a snake in January, so my choice was made. I was going.
My mom and two brothers accompanied me on a trip back to Boone County Missouri.
We arrived around 1:20p.m. Fifteen minutes into the search we found
an eastern garter snake basking outside his den. After I released
him we found 3 snakes all within 20 feet of each other. They were
near a big hibernaculum. Two of the snakes were eastern yellowbellied
racers one of which was a monstrous four feet long. The other snake
was my first red-sided garter snake. As we took our pictures and
walked on, I spotted a lovely young western ribbon snake near a rocky out-cropping.
He was hidden in the leaves. My eagle eyes at work! Minutes
later I found an intergrade red-sided/eastern garter snake basking near
his den. While photographing the snake I spotted a three foot long
red-sided garter snake four feet off the ground in a tree. This was
the first time I have ever experienced garters climbing trees. As
the day drew to a close we found another intergrade red-sided/eastern garter
snake. Our total snake count at the end of the day was 3- intergrade
red-sided/eastern garter snakes, 2-red-sided garter snakes, 2-eastern yellow-bellied
racers, 1-eastern garter snake, and 1-western ribbon snake. A
total of 9 snakes. |
February
27, 2004
Sunny 55°
|
I went to a local garter snake hibernaculum in
hopes of finding a snake. I arrived too late in the day. It
was windy and dropping into the low fifties and upper forties. Needless
to say, this St. Charles Charles County trip was a bust.
A
total of 0 snakes |
February 28, 2004
Sunny 63°
|
I decided to try my luck at Valley View Glades.
A few hours of searching, and it was pretty much a bust. All I managed
to find were 30+ ground skinks, 5 northern fence lizards, and 2 northern
cricket frogs. I don't understand why I didn't see any snakes.
Oh well, it was still fun nonetheless. Better luck next time! A
total of 0 snakes. |
February 29, 2004
Partly Cloudy 65°
|
Today I decided to go out on a limb and look
for some new hunting grounds. This took me to St. Charles County
along the Missouri River. I managed to find an eastern garter snake
den site. There were three eastern garter snakes along a rock slide
at the base of a bluff. Those turned out to be the only snakes of
the day, but I now know that this is a place of future potential. A
total of 3 snakes. |
March
07, 2004
Mostly Sunny 55°
|
I headed back out to St. Charles County Missouri
in the same area as last weekend. The search started out slow with
only a few lizard sightings. As the day went on, my sister's keen
eye spotted a large dark colored snake hanging out of a bluff crevice twelve
feet off the ground. As it was being photographed my dad spotted
another snake a few inches from the first. It was an eastern yellow-bellied
racer sunning himself on a vine. As I looked closer at the first
one it dawned on me that it was also an eastern yellow-bellied racer (A
large four footer). Later I found a western ribbon snake. Those
were the only snakes of the day. It was a fun and very productive
day. A total of 3 snakes. |
March 14, 2004
Sunny 56º
|
Back to St. Charles County Missouri again today.
The day started out slow. I soon found the first snake of the afternoon.
It was an adult prairie ring-necked snake found under a small rock.
Minutes later I was graced with an eastern garter snake and a western ribbon
snake. That was all I managed to find. It was another good
day. A total of 3 snakes. |
March 19, 2004
Sunny 71º
|
I had a science research symposium today, and
a little free time during my lunch break. I did a little road cruising
just to see if there were any snakes on the road. Any road snakes
would mean the snakes are already migrating. I did find two DOR eastern
garter snakes along highway 94 in St. Charles County Missouri. I
stopped at the Mississippi River in St. Louis County Missouri were I found
a live eastern garter snake. A total
of 3 snakes. |
March 20, 2004
Sunny 68º
|
With it being in the upper 60’s, I just couldn’t
pass up an opportunity to look for snakes. I headed back over again
to St. Charles County Missouri. Less than five minutes into the search
I was rewarded with 7 snakes. One was an eastern yellow-bellied racer
while the other six were black rat snakes. All the snakes were 20
feet off the ground on the bluff face, on the vines, or in the trees.
Another five minutes passed and I spotted something delightful. Twelve
feet off the ground in a vine were 6 western ribbon snakes in a mating
ball. Talk about breath taking! As I moved on we saw several
more racers and ribbon snakes. Before the day closed to an end I
spotted another mating ball of three western ribbon snakes. Our species
totals were: 15 western ribbon snakes, 6 black rat snakes, 3 eastern yellow-bellied
racers, 1 prairie ring-necked snake, and 1 unknown that got away before
I could positively identify it. A total
of 26 snakes. |
March 24, 2004
Cloudy 74º
|
It's been four days since I have seen a snake.
That is just too long in my mind. I made a trip to the Mississippi
River in St. Charles County Missouri. When I arrived I noticed there
was a chilly wind blowing out of the southeast. The wind was hitting
the hill side directly. Down by the water in a
crawfish hole I saw a snake's head. I reached in there and pulled
the snake out without hurting the hole or the snake. It was a two
foot diamond-backed water snake. After releasing him I found no more.
A
total of 1 snake. |
March 25, 2004
Cloudy 68º
|
Went back to the Mississippi River in St. Charles
County Missouri for the second day in a row. The wind was slightly
less, but still gusty. No luck with any reptile with the exception
of a few distant red eared sliders and western painted turtles. A
total of 0 snakes. |
March 27, 2004
Sunny 76º
|
OK. A Larue Road trip sounds great.
I'll see a few cottonmouths and be happy right. Wrong! I arrived
at Larue Road at around 9:30a.m. and within the first ten minutes, I had
found six snakes. In and around a rock crevice were a black rat snake,
two cottonmouths, and three timber rattlesnakes. Active seasons mean
nothing in the midwest. After photographing the snakes I walked the
road to find several yellow-bellied water snakes, ribbon snakes, cottonmouths,
and on the bluff walls many black rat snakes. During the coarse
of the day I saw many fantastic sights. I saw two western ribbon
snakes mating. I saw a juvenile cottonmouth wriggling it's tail in
a thing called caudal luring. The best snake of the day was
a fat and aggressive timber rattlesnake found at the end of the day..
The snake didn't want to stay still. Two people couldn't even contain
the snake. He eventually calmed down and I got a picture.
When it got dark,, my brother, and my dad and I drove to the camp site
and bedded down. We had seen many species of snakes which include:
27 Western Cottonmouths, 16 Yellow-bellied Water Snakes, 13 Western Ribbon
Snakes, 8 Black Rat snakes , 4 Timber Rattlesnakes, 2 Eastern Garter Snakes,
2 Midland Brown Snakes, 1 Prairie Ring-necked Snake, and 1 Northern Ring-necked
Snake. A record total of 74 snakes.
Many fellow herpers accompanied me in my
search. Thanks to all that helped.
|
March 28, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 76º
|
Day two of our Larue Road trip started out with
many cottonmouth sittings. Many were still in the bluff crevices,
but many were in the swamp. As the day went on we found several black
rat snakes migrating across the road. We didn't see any crossing
the road yesterday. While driving to the other end of the road my
brother spotted a large black snake. To my surprise it was a black
kingsnake. A very aggressive one. As the day drew to a close
there was an explosion of snake sightings. In about 20 minutes we
found several yellow-bellied water snakes, western cottonmouths, southern
black racers, eastern garter snakes and western ribbon snakes. Again
we had a variety of species which include: 10 Western Cottonmouths,
8 Yellow-bellied Water Snakes, 8 Western Ribbon Snakes, 6 Black Rat Snakes,
6 Eastern Garter Snake, 2 Southern Black Racers, 1 Midland Brown Snake,
1 Black Kingsnake, 1 Prairie Ring-necked Snake, and 1 Northern Ring-necked
Snake. A total of 44 snakes. |
March 29, 2004
Partly Cloudy 67º
|
I have been looking for snakes at a local nature
preserve for a population survey for my independent study project.
I found my first subject. It was a 26 in. female eastern garter snake.
A
total of 1 snake. |
April
02, 2004
Partly Cloudy 62º
|
At work with my independent study at a local
Natural Area, I found three eastern garter snakes. One was a 24 inch
female that got a painful bite in before I released her.. Later that
night I met the state herpetologist Jeff Briggler who was giving an amphibian
presentation. in west St. Louis County. We were looking at herps
in a nearby pond when someone spotted a yearling northern water snake.
The snake was examined and released. It was a great day. A
total of 4 snakes. |
April 03, 2004
Sunny 65º
|
I was in the area this morning and decided to
take a couple hours out of my day to look for snakes. I was in St.
Charles County Missouri again. It was a great day. I found
a new rat snake den. The snakes are finally migrating. I found
3 prairie ring-necked snakes, 2 black rat snakes, 2 eastern yellow-bellied
racers, 1 western ribbon snake, and 1 eastern garter snake. I also
spotted a soft shell turtle. A total
of 9 snakes. |
April 05, 2004
Sunny 62º
|
More field work at the local nature area.
I tallied one eastern garter snake. It was a very unpleasant experience.
The snake sprayed fecal matter everywhere on me. This includes my
face. Yuck. A total of 1 snake. |
April 06, 2004
Sunny 76º
|
At the local nature area I found 2 more snakes.
An eastern garter was the first snake I encountered. The second snake
was a nice four foot black rat snake. The rat snake was coming out
of a log cabin wall near the top. I suspect he was denning there.
There was a high concentration of squirrels also living in the wall.
Possible prey item? I hope to find that out within the next couple
of weeks. A total of 2 snakes. |
April 09, 2004
Cloudy 65º
|
I decided a massasauga siting was in order.
I headed out to a spot in Clinton County. When we got there it didn't
look very promising. The prairie had not been burned, it clouded
up, and the temperature dropped to the low sixties. Towards the end
of the day I found a field full of debris. I took advantage of that.
I found three snakes under debris. One was a beautifully colored
northern water snake I found under a fallen sign. Like most nerodia
the snake was very aggressive. After a few photos I released him.
It wasn't long before I found two garter snakes under the same board.
I got pictures without any problem. The big 2 footer was like the
water snake very aggressive. They posed nicely, so I let them go
quickly. I saw a few more snakes through the course of the day.
My totals were 4 eastern garter snakes and 2 northern water snakes.
The Massassaga awaits another day. A
total of 6 snakes. |
April 10, 2004
Cloudy, Rain 58º
|
I was in St. Charles County Missouri, so I decided
to visit my spot near the Missouri River. Weather conditions for
herping were poor, but I gave it a go any way. I found 11 prairie
ring-necked snakes. They were all under small rocks. That was
all I found. A total of 11 snakes. |
April 11, 2004
Mostly Sunny 55º
|
I went to my grandparents house Sunday for Easter.
I decided I couldn't pass up a chance to snake hunt. I didn't find
much. I did find a huge eastern yellow-bellied racer. In fact
I believe it beats the state record length for the species. The record
is 52 inches. It was at least 60 inches if not more. Of coarse
it didn't register that it may be a state record so I didn't measure it.
With luck I will find it again. I found 14 prairie ring-necked snakes,
and 2 eastern yellow-bellied racers. A
total of 16 snakes. |
April 14, 2004
Clear 70º
|
Another research day at the local nature area.
I found two eastern garter snakes out sunning themselves. Unfortunately
that was all I found. A total of 2 snakes. |
April
15, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 76º
|
At the Local Nature Area I found a 61 inch black
rat snake. That was it for the day. A
total of 1 snake. |
April 16, 2004
Partly Cloudy 85º
|
Under a piece of tin I laid at the local nature
area I discovered two 60+ inch black rat snakes. It certainly was
a surprising find. A total of 2 snakes. |
April 17, 2004
Mostly Sunny 89º
|
I decided to go to Montgomery County Missouri
in search of a copperhead or two. All I found was a prairie ring-necked
snake and a northern water snake. I still had daylight when I left,
so I headed south to the Missouri River in Warren County. On the
way down there I saw 1 DOR Prairie Kingsnake, 1 DOR Speckled Kingsnake,
and 2 Unknown DOR Snakes. I also spotted a live eastern yellow-bellied
racer on the shoulder of the road. When I went back for him he was
dead . His tail was still wriggling. This was a horrible sight.
Every herper sees this at one point or another. At the river I saw
1 eastern yellow-bellied racer and 1 midland brown snake. A
total of 8 snakes. |
April 18, 2004
Mostly Sunny 89º
|
I decided to head out to Valley View Glades.
I meet a fellow herper, Mike Cravens. As soon as I met up with him
we found a three foot eastern yellow-bellied racer. Mike then
told me where he found a red milk snake. He said he would take me
to the spot he found him. On the way there we found a western worm
snake. This was the first of the year for me. When we got to
the milk snake spot, Mike flipped a rock and there was a juvenile red milk
snake. I thought to myself finally a red milk. I hadn't seen
a live one in two years. I was very happy. Our different species
included: 5 lined snakes, 4 prairie ring-necked snake, 1 eastern yellow-bellied
racer, 1 black rat snake, 1 western worm snake, and 1 red milk snake. A
total of 13 snakes. |
April 21, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 75º
|
I was at two locations today. First of
all I did some school work with my snake project at the local natural area.
I found a black rat snake. When school was over I headed out to St.
Charles County Missouri. I found 2 eastern garter snakes, 1 eastern
yellow-bellied racer, 1 northern water snake, and 1 prairie kingsnake.
The kingsnake was under a tire. This find made me a very happy person.
A
total of 6 snakes. |
.April 22, 2004
Light Rain 58º
|
I found a small eastern garter snake under a
board that I set out earlier in the year at the local natural area. A
total of 1 snake. |
April 27, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 64º
|
I got home from school with a big urge to find
a snake or two. I called my friend up and before I knew it we were
looking for snakes along the Missouri River. We got a lot of snakes,
but little in diversity. I was finding the typical prairie ring-necked
snakes under small rocks. Under a rock on a rock slide there was
a very agitated garter snake. I don’t know what got him agitated,
but when I picked up the rock he had inflated himself and he was ready
to bite. Today we saw 11 prairie ring-necked snakes and 1 eastern
garter snake. A total of 12 snakes. |
May
01, 2004
Cloudy, Light Rain 59º
|
I headed out to Boone County Missouri to do some
snake hunting along the Missouri River. I had high hopes of finding
some species that I normally don’t see. I found 8 prairie ring-necked
snakes along with one western worm snake. I was a little disappointed,
but I know a break out day is coming. A
total of 9 snakes. |
May 05, 2004
Partly Cloudy 82º
|
I was in Boone County Missouri for the State
Envirothon Competition, in which my team placed in second. At the
hotel within the city limits of Colombia, and at the Super 8 Motel, I found
a prairie ring-necked snake under a piece of concrete. I couldn’t
believe it. He was living in a very tiny green space. I was
happy. A total of 1 snake. |
May 08, 2004
Clear 87º
|
I decided tonight is the night I should road
cruise for copperheads. I headed over to the Mississippi River Bluffs
in Randolph and Monroe County Illinois. The diversity was great.
I saw a few DORs, but most were either AORs or they were found along the
road. I also found my first live eastern hog-nosed snake in almost
ten years. I also found my first ever northern copperhead, which
was also the first copperhead of the year. My totals were 2 - Northern
Copperheads, 2 - Western Ribbon Snakes, 2 - Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes, 2
- Blue Racers, 1 - Prairie Ring-necked Snake, 1 - Northern Water Snake,
1 black Rat Snake, and 1 rough green snake. A
total of 12 snakes. |
May 11, 2004
Partly Cloudy 86º
|
I found a 71 inch black rat snake at the local
nature area in St. Louis County Missouri. He was sunning himself
on a concrete patio. A total of 1 snake. |
May 16, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 72º
|
I stopped off near the Missouri River in St.
Charles County Missouri after my grandparent’s anniversary party.
Again I found the typical ring-necked snakes. I also found a very
beautifully, red checkered, eastern garter snake. I also saw a couple
DOR snakes. My totals were 2 - Prairie Ring-necked Snakes, 1 - Eastern
Garter Snake, 1 - Black Rat Snake, and 1 - Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. A
total of 5 snakes. |
May 19, 2004
Cloudy 82º
|
I took a friend to Jefferson County Missouri
to do a little herping. I found 2 - Lined Snakes, 2- Western Worm
Snakes, and 1 - Prairie Ring-necked Snake. I also saw several western
slimy salamanders and one cave salamander. The trip was cut short
when we felt fatigued and my friend was stung by a striped scorpion. A
total of 5 snakes. |
May 22, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 88º
|
I was storm chasing with my dad in Northwest
Missouri, Southwestern Iowa and Nebraska. I didn’t see any live snakes,
but I did see several interesting DORs. I found eastern yellow-bellied
Racers with actual yellow bellies. In the east they have white bellies
for the most part. My totals were 2 - Eastern Yellow-bellied Racers,
1 - Black Rat Snake, 1 Western Plains Garter Snake. A
total 4 snakes. |
May 23, 2004
Partly Cloudy 83º
|
Again I was storm chasing in northwestern Missouri.
I saw 2 DOR prairie kingsnakes. Though I didn’t see any live snakes,
I was very interested in the variety of turtles I saw crossing the road.
I saw common snapping turtles, red-eared sliders, three-toed box turtles,
and ornate box turtles. It was an interesting day. A
total of 2 snakes. |
May 29, 2004
Partly Cloudy 83º
|
I was storm chasing in Kansas today. We
had arrived at our planned location a little early, so our party decided
to do a little herping. I didn’t find any snakes, but I did find
a life lister. I found my first eastern collard lizard.
The herping didn’t last long, because the first storm went up. A
couple more hours after the storm went up we were witnessing several tornadoes.
A
total of 0 snakes. |
May 30, 2004
Partly Cloudy 83º
|
Storm Chasing took me to Arkansas today.
Unfortunately it was a bust. No tornadoes. I did however see
a few snakes. In the road on the way home I saw the following DOR’s:
2 Western Mud Snakes, 1 Yellow-bellied Water Snake, and 1 Broad-banded
Water Snake. I did manage a live snake. In the road was a beautifully
colored Broad-banded Water Snake. It had a bright red head, which
is a color phase that I have never seen before.
A total of 5 snakes. |
June
3, 2004
Partly Cloudy 88º
|
In the west storm chasing today. We were
done storm chasing after a long day. Around Midnight or so Brian
Stertz, my dad, and I went to a canyon in Armstrong County Texas.
We wanted to find a diamond-backed rattlesnake. It was somewhat of
a disappointment. We found one DOR Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake.
We decided with no luck to call it a night. In the afternoon
we looked up some data and saw that it would be a bust day. We decided
to head over to New Mexico to do some herping. All I found there
was several species of lizards and a large DOR bull snake. We then
headed over to the canyon we herped early in the morning. On the
way we found another large DOR bull snake. We went to the northern
section of the canyon in Moore County Texas. Under a small rock I
found a juvenile Texas night snake. That was all I found in the canyon.
I found several on the way out, however. The first find unfortunately
was a DOR western coachwhip. Not long after that, I got a live three
foot bull snake. It was a brilliant yellow. I then found a
three foot Kansas Glossy Snake. I wasn’t expecting this. I
did a little research on this species and found out that they are rare
in the Texas panhandle. I was very happy. I can’t wait to come
back to Texas. A total of 7 snakes. |
June 5, 2004
Partly Cloudy 83º
|
I had a graduation party at my grandparent’s
house today. This means plenty of herping will be done. Me
and my dad decided to take the back way to her house through some rock
roads. We found a five foot black rat snake lying in the road.
At my grandparent’s I found 2 northern water snakes and 3 prairie ring-necked
snakes. A total of 6 snakes. |
June 11, 2004
Partly Cloudy 83º
|
I ended up in Iowa storm chasing today.
It appeared to be a bust, so Kevin Kohler, my dad, and I decided to put
ourselves into position for tomorrow's storms. While heading west
in Van Buren County we spotted a small northern water snake crossing the
road. This ended up being the only snake sighting. Though we
only got one snake today, we saw a dandy of a tornado on day two
of this trip.
A total of 1 snake. |
June 15, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 73º`
|
My friend Nathan Walter called me up and said,
“Hey you want to go camping.” I just couldn’t pass a chance at some
good herping like this. Plus he is leaving for the navy in a week.
We decided a canoe trip down the Meremac River was in order. While
canoeing we spotted a three foot black rat snake at the mouth of a cave
and a northern water snake out basking in the sun. Later in the day
we saw a DOR juvenile eastern yellow-bellied racer. A
total of 3 snakes. |
June 16, 2004
Light Rain 73º
|
Still camping in Meremac State Park in Franklin
County Missouri. Today Nathan and I decided to visit a small nearby
glade. The glade had badly been disturbed. Rocks were moved
to the point that critters could not hide under them. Nonetheless
we still saw three prairie ring-necked snakes and one western ribbon snake.
Good Luck in the Navy Nathan! A total
of 4 snakes. |
June 17, 2004
Partly Cloudy 75º
|
I saw a northern water snake in St. Louis County
Missouri while checking out a conservation area. I then came home
for a few hours. Then my mom, my younger brother and sister, and
I went over to Illinois in Monroe and Randolph Counties. We did some
road cruising for snakes. The day started out slow with a couple
DORs. Then I found a large Northern Copperhead crossing the road.
He was dark and beautiful. I photographed him and let him on his
way. It wasn’t long before a spotted another northern copperhead
crossing the road. This one was about 14 inches long. He was
very beautiful, but snap happy. I found that out when I went in close
for a head shot. I won’t make that mistake again. About five
minutes after getting back in the car I spotted another northern copperhead.
He was about 12 inches long with the remnant of a yellow tail. We
photographed him and let him on his way. We saw 3 Northern Copperheads,
1 Northern Water Snake, 1 Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, and 1 Blue Racer.
A total of 6 Snakes |
June 19, 2004
Scattered Clouds 76º
|
I visited my grandparents in Warren County Missouri
today. It was a slow day. I saw a neonate common snapping turtle
in their pond. I also saw a prairie ring-necked snake.
A total of 1 snake. |
June 20, 2004
Clear 80º
|
I headed down to Mingo Swamp for a day of herping.
It felt warmer than what it was. The day was very disappointing.
I saw only 10 snakes and only three of them were alive. At one of
the ditch bridges three snakes had been run over. There was no doubt
that someone had intentionally run the snakes over. I haven’t even
ruled out the possibility that the person went down to the water to catch
the snakes and place them on the road to hit. It makes me very angry
that there are ignorant people like that in the world. The live snakes
consisted of a diamond-backed water snake, yellow-bellied water snake,
and a western cottonmouth. The dead ones consisted of two diamond-backed
water snakes, one yellow-bellied water snake, one western cottonmouth,
one southern black racer, one midland brown snake, and one mississippi
ring-necked snake. A total of 10 snakes. |
June 21, 2004
Cloudy, Thunderstorms
81º
|
I headed over to Monroe and Randolph Counties
in Illinois to road cruise for snakes. It was a total bust. A
total of 0 snakes. |
June 22, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 71º
|
I was driving along the Missouri River in Missouri
when I saw a large DOR black rat snake.
A total of 1 snake. |
June 24, 2004
Partly Cloudy 77º
|
I went to the Silver Mines area which is in Madison
County, Missouri with my friend Matt Noatch today. I saw many interesting
herps while there. I even caught my first fish. It was a goggle
eye. Matt found a gravid, gray phased northern red-bellied snake
near a fallen log. Later while turning rocks Matt found my first
ever flat-headed snake. That was all we found before we made it home.
As soon as I got home I was heading back out again. I headed over
to Randolph and Monroe Counties in Illinois in hopes that I wouldn’t get
skunked again. It looked like another wasted trip because all I had
found was a DOR northern copperhead. As we were headed home I found
two very beautiful AOR northern copperheads. It was a great day.
A
total of 5 snakes. |
June 26, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 79º
|
I visited my grandparents in Warren County Missouri
today. I herped a good part of the day. I didn’t find much,
but still it was a good day. I found 4 prairie ring-necked snakes,
1 northern water snake, 1 eastern yellow-bellied racer, 1 western ribbon
snake, and 1 eastern garter snake. A
total of 8 snakes. |
June 27, 2004
Cloudy 75º
|
I went herping in Monroe and Randolph Counties
Illinois. All I found was a DOR black rat snake. A
total of 1 snake. |
June 30, 2004
Cloudy 80º
|
I headed over to Randolph and Clinton Counties
Illinois again tonight. I found 3 young black rat snakes and one
northern copperhead. A total of 4 snakes. |
July
09, 2004
Clear 73º
|
I found myself in Randolph and Monroe Counties
in Illinois again tonight. It was a disappointment. The only
snake I saw was a DOR western ribbon snake. A
total of 1 snake. |
July 10, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 75º
|
Herped in Warren County Missouri today.
I got a couple of prairie ring-necked snakes. A
total of 2 snakes. |
July 11, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 91º
|
Road Cruised in Randolph and Monroe Counties
Illinois. I found a live eastern garter snake and a DOR western ribbon
snake. A total of 2 snakes. |
July 17, 2004
Scattered Clouds 82º
|
Cruising some roads in St. Charles County yielded
many different animals. The only snake I saw was a DOR northern water
snake however. A total of 1 snake. |
July 18, 2004
Scattered Clouds 83º
|
I went to Carlyle Lake in Clinton County Illinois
in search of a massasauga. I knew it was a long shot, because of
the tall and thick grass. I figured I might get lucky. Needless
to say all I saw were two neonate eastern garter snakes sharing the same
board. A total of 2 snakes. |
July 19, 2004
Partly Cloudy 77º
|
I saw a dead black rat snake on the road in St.
Louis County Missouri. A total of 1
snake. |
July 21, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 88º
|
I found another DOR black rat snake in St. Louis
County. A total of 1 snake. |
July 23, 2004
Cloudy 78º
|
I was invited down to my environmental science
teacher’s property in Crawford County Missouri. I saw many interesting
animals. Also many interesting birds. I did see a northern
water snake and a western ribbon snake. A
total of 2 snakes. |
July 24, 2004
Cloudy 69º
|
I didn’t see much at my grandparent’s house in
Warren County Missouri. I saw only one northern water snake. A
total of 1 snake. |
July 25, 2004
Overcast 64º
|
I decided to head down to Valley View Glades
in Jefferson County Missouri. It was disappointing. There was
so much rain the day before that there was standing water underneath most
of the rocks. Needless to say, snakes were sparse. I only found
two lined snakes. A total of 2 snakes. |
July 27, 2004
Partly Cloudy 71º
|
Decided to herp near the Missouri River in St.
Charles County Missouri. I found two northern water snakes and two
prairie ring-necked snakes. A total
of 4 snakes. |
July 29, 2004
Overcast 76º
|
I talked to a fellow herper, Mike Cravens and
he wanted to find a graham’s crayfish snake to add to his lifelist.
I recommended an area near the Mississippi River in St. Charles County
Missouri. My friend Matt Noatch, my brother Kyle, and myself met
Mike there. The first find was an insanely large northern water snake.
The snake was at least three feet long and wider than my wrist. The
next and last find was a large and very gravid grahams crayfish snake.
We had fullfilled a lifelister for Mike. We were very happy with
our beautiful find.
A total of 2 snakes. |
August
01, 2004
Partly Cloudy 90º
|
I road cruised for snakes in Randolph and Monroe
Counties in Illinois. I had no luck. A
total of 0 snakes. |
August 05, 2004
Clear 80º
|
I wanted to try my luck herping in Washington
County Missouri. I stopped by my grandparents house in Warren County
first. I found a prairie ring-necked snake under a board. I
also saw a DOR eastern yellow-bellied racer. In Washington County.
I saw a DOR black rat snake. I also saw a DOR black rat snake in
St. Charles County. It was a long way to travel with so little luck.
A
total of 4 snakes. |
August 06, 2004
Clear 78º
|
Matt Noatch and I met up with Mike Cravens in
Montgomery County Missouri to do some herping. Early on we found
two prairie ring-necked snakes, an eastern yellow-bellied racer and possible
snake eggs. Later in the day we found two flat-headed snakes and
a great plains rat snake. It was a great day. A
total of 6 snakes. |
August 08, 2004
Partly Cloudy 86º
|
I have been on a lucky pace for the last two
weeks. August is the time of year when snakes of any kind are hard
to find. Mike Cravens invited me, my younger brother, and my dad
down town to Washington County Missouri to road cruise for snakes.
We arrived early so we had some time to kill, so Mike took us to a near
by glade. On the glade I heard Mike shout, "I found some snake skin."
I ran over to Mike and he told me the skin belonged to a rattlesnake or
a copperhead. It wasn't seconds after that I spotted a coil of a
large timber rattlesnake under the rock where Mike reached down to pick
up the skin. His hand was about an inch from the snake's body.
It was a to close of a call. While thinking about how lucky he was
my brother and I spotted a second timber rattlesnake under the rock inches
from the first one. Mike and I each pulled a timber out. One
was extremely placid with a length of just over three feet. The other
one just coiled tightly and rattled vigorously. This snake was about
three and a half feet in length. After photographing these snakes,
we went to put them back, but I felt we should check the rock for any more
before we put them back. When I looked, to my surprise, there was
two small adult osage copperheads tucked about a foot back under the rock.
We photographed the bright copperheads while letting the rattlesnakes go.
After it was said and done we released them all back into their hiding
place, but not without great pictures. We then road cruised without
any luck, but who cares! Our day was gold. It was a day for
the books. A total of 4 snakes. |
August 12, 2004
Partly Cloudy 69º
|
I decided to try my luck at Valley View Glades
in Jefferson County Missouri today. Summer just isn't a good time
to herp glades. I had little luck,. All the snakes must still
be under ground. I saw a prairie ring-necked snake and a lined snake.
A
total of 2 snakes. |
August 13, 2004
Partly Cloudy 74º
|
I called my friend Matt Noatch and I said, "We
are going to do some herping today." Well, he agreed and he picked
myyounger brother Kyle and me up at about 12:20 in the afternoon.
We headed over to Rockwood Reservation Area in St. Louis County.
I had hunted there before, but had only found ring-necked snakes.
The day started out with a few prairie ring-necked snakes and western slimy
salamanders. The day then got better while looking on a steep rocky
wooded hillside I spotted it in a pile of leaves near a fallen tree.
It was a dark colored osage copperhead. This was my first venomous
snake in my home county. It was also a life lister for Matt.
I was very pleased. I also saw a wood frog. This was the first
one that I have found on my own. We saw six prairie ring-necked snakes,
one eastern garter snake, and one osage copperhead. A
total of 8 snakes. |
August 16, 2004
Scattered Clouds 83º
|
I was teking a ride in St. Charles county Missouri
today and I saw a large DOR diamond-backed water snake. A
total of 1 snake. |
August 19, 2004
Overcast, Thunder 73º
|
I road cruised in Randolph and Monroe Counties
in Illinois tonight . All I saw was a DOR black rat snake. A
total of 1 snake. |
August 22, 2004
Scattered Clouds 85º
|
I went to Rockwood Reservation area in St. Louis
County Missouri today. I saw eleven prairie ring-necked snakes, one
large northern water snake, and one osage copperhead. I also saw
my first long-tailed salamanders in quite some time. It was a great
trip. A total of 13 snakes. A total
of 13 snakes. |
August 28, 2004
Scattered Clouds 85º
|
I herped on my grandparents property in Warren
County Missouri. I found seven prairie ring-necked snakes and one
large smooth earth snake. A total of
8 snakes. |
August 29, 2004
Overcast 85º
|
I herped in St. Charles County Missouri for a
little while today and I got a nice snake. I found a yearling diamond-backed
water snake under a piece of cottonwood bark.
A total of 1 snake. |
August 30, 2004
Partly Cloudy 80º
|
I met up with Mike Cravens in St. Charles County
Missouri today. We had a fantastic water snake day. We found
all the nerodia species and the only semi aquatic snake there - the crayfish
snake. Our totals were four northern water snake, two diamond-backed
water snakes, two eastern garter snakes, one yellow-bellied water snake,
one graham’s crayfish snake, and one midland brown snake. A
total of 11 snakes. |
September
2, 2004
Scattered Clouds 83º
|
Mike Cravens called me up today and asked if
I wanted to find a rattlesnake. What kind of question is that?
Of course I do! We headed to Danville Conservation Area in Montgomery
County Missouri. We herped there for a couple hours without finding
much. The highlight up to that point was an eastern garter snake
that disappeared from us in some grass. We were tired and somewhat
down in the dumps. We were persistent though. We checked some
small bluffs and outcroppings. It wasn’t long before I heard Mike
shout, “rattlesnake!” Then I heard, “there are two of them.”
We took some time to photograph them. One rattlesnake was just absolutely
stunning. It was beautiful. We eventually left and went cruising
the local roads. Our last snake was a nice osage copperhead crossing
the road. A total of 4 snakes. |
September 3, 2004
Partly Cloudy 84º
|
While cutting someone's grass in St. Louis County
Missouri, I unexpectantly saw an eastern snake dart under the lawn mower.
I immediately stopped the blades, but it wasn't in time. I cut the
very tip of the snake's tail off. I feel bad for the snake, but I
know he will live a life of no handicap. A
total of 1 snake. |
September 6, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 81º
|
Did some herping with Mike Cravens in Madison
and Jersey Counties in Illinois and St. Charles County Missouri.
We saw the following DORs: two black rat snakes, one graham's crayfish
snake, and one eastern hog-nosed snake. We also saw the following
live snakes: two western ribbon snakes, one northern water snake,
and one eastern garter snake. A total
of 8 snakes. |
September 7, 2004
Clear 79º
|
While I was sitting at home, the phone rang.
It was my dad telling me he had surrounded a snake on the lawn he was cutting.
I was less than five minutes away, so I quickly headed over there.
It ended up being a very pretty eastern garter snake. A
total of 1 snake. |
September 9, 2004
Clear 81º
|
I met up with Mike Cravens again today.
We did some herping in Madison County Illinois and St. Charles County
Missouri. The first snake was a very large DOR diamond-backed water
snake. We then shortly found a nice northern water snake under a
piece of tin. The last 6 snakes of the day were eastern garter snakes.
They were found in the open, under carpet, boards, and railroad ties. A
total of 8 snakes. |
September 11, 2004
Scattered Clouds 85º
|
I herped on my grandparent’s property in Warren
County Missouri. I found a few snakes. I found a northern water
snake, prairie ring-necked snake, and a northern red-bellied snake.
I also saw a DOR black rat snake. The red-bellied snake had a yellow
belly. A total of 4 snakes. |
September 12, 2004
Partly Cloudy 85º
|
I herped Busch Wildlife Area in St. Charles County
Missouri. I had a better day then I thought I was going to have.
I found 2 northern water snakes, 2 midland brown snakes, 1 neonate western
ribbon snake, 1 eastern garter snake, and 1 neonate osage copperhead.
The copperhead was a real surprise. A
total of 7 snakes. |
September 13, 2004
Partly Cloudy 86º
|
Mike called me up and asked if we wanted to give
the fox snake another shot. Again we headed to northern St. Charles
County Missouri. We didn’t find a fox snake, but I am happy with
what we got. We saw 3 northern water snakes, 2 eastern garter snakes,
2 eastern yellow-bellied racers, 1 black rat snake, 1 western ribbon snake,
1 yellow-bellied water snake, and 1 unidentified snake (either a black
rat or an eastern yellow-bellied racer). We also saw the following
DORs: 2 black rat snakes and 1 western ribbon snake. By the
days end, many of the snakes got the best of us. We were bloody with
a tooth or two that needed to be pulled out of our flesh. A
total of 14 snakes. |
September 15, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 81º
|
While I was coming home from school I saw a beautiful
prairie kingsnake dying in the road. He had just been hit. A
total of 1 snake. |
September 18, 2004
Clear 77º
|
Mike Cravens and I headed up to Northern Illinois
Indiana border. We herped in Kankakee County Illinois and Lake and
Newton Counties in Indiana. We were hoping to find a bull snake,
plains garter snake, Chicago garter snake, and fox snake. It wasn’t
long after we got up there that we found a beautiful Chicago garter snake
under some carpet. We also saw a couple midland brown snakes at that
site. Later at the campsite in Newton County Indiana we found a beautiful
adult eastern milk snake. The snake was probing a hole for pinky
mice. We found the snake, because two adult mice appeared to be fighting
or playing. Apparently they were trying to distract the snake.
We also saw our first northern leopard frogs along with a DOR blue racer.
A
total of 5 snakes. |
September 19, 2004
Clear 78º
|
Mike Cravens and I woke up early and headed over
to the sand prairies of Kankakee County Illinois. We only had a couple
hours to search, because we had to meet Mike's friends, Dave, Mary, Scott
and his family. We found a small blue racer before on our way to
meet everybody. We all met up at a family restaurant in Kankakee
Illinois. While waiting for everybody Dave found five eastern plains
garter snakes. When we were done photographing the animals we headed
over to the sand prairies again. Mary found a DOR Western ribbon
snake in Iroquois County Illinois. We then found a 37 inch Chicago
garter snake crossing the road in Newton County Illinois. Later we
promptly found a juvenile blue racer and a western ribbon snake.
The ribbon snake Mike found represents a Kankakee County record.
Later in the afternoon Mary along with Scott and his family had to leave.
Dave, Mike and I continued to herp. All we found was a DOR Chicago
garter snake and a nice adult hog-nosed snake. A
total of 12 snakes. |
September 20, 2004
Clear 79º
|
Mike Cravens and I again got up early in the
morning and hit the sand prairies in Kankakee County Illinois. This
was our last day. We herped in the morning and found a Chicago garter
snake, a blue racer, and a baby eastern hog-nosed snake. While
we were thinking about going home Scott called asking if we wanted to see
a fox snake. Well since we hadn’t seen that snake before we headed
up to his spot in Du Page County Illinois. Scott wasn’t going to
disappoint us. He took us to a hibernaculum he recently found.
In the various cracks we saw five adult western fox snakes and two Chicago
garter snakes. We were stoked after this. We continued to herp
finding several Chicago garter snakes, a midland brown snake and a neonate
western fox snake. This one we were able to photograph. We
finished the day with 8 Chicago garter snakes, 6 western fox snakes, 1
midland brown snake, 1 blue racer, and 1 eastern hog-nosed snake.
I also saw my first ever tiger salamander. They were thick.
A big thanks goes out to Dave, Mary, Scott and everyone else who accompanied
us on the trip. A total of 17 snakes. |
September 25, 2004
Partly Cloudy 85º
|
I headed out to visit my grandparents in Warren
County Missouri. I herped most of the afternoon. The first
find was a beautiful reddish, brown phased northern red-bellied snake.
Later in the day my younger brother found a neonate eastern yellow-bellied
racer under a rock. Later in the evening I found a snake that I haven’t
seen out there in several years. I found not one, but two midland
brown snakes. I find these with regularity elsewhere, but it is still
nice to see an old friend. I also saw a prairie ring-necked snake.
A
total of 5 snakes. |
October
02, 2004
Sunny 63º
|
I headed over to Danville Wildlife Area in Montgomery
County Missouri today. As good as I thought the day would be, it
turned out not to be that great. I only saw one snake. I am
just glad it was a snake not normally seen. The lone snake was a
neonate great plains rat snake that I found under a rock. I also
saw a very large shed from a timber rattlesnake. A
total of 1 snake. |
October 09, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 74º
|
The long awaited fall trip to LaRue Road in Union
County, Illinois finally came to be this weekend. My brother Kyle,
my dad, and I made the trip. Through various times of the day, we
herped with Mike Cravens, Chad and his gang from Kansas, Dan and his dad
from Ontario Canada, Charlie Hessel and other members of the St. Louis
Herp Society. We found 11 cottonmouths, 5 yellow-bellied water snakes,
5 black rat snakes, 3 eastern Garter snakes, 3 mississippi green water
snakes, 1 northern ring-necked snake, 1 southern black racer, 1 western
mud snake, and 1 black kingsnake. Thanks to everyone who helped out.
A
total of 31 snakes. |
October 10, 2004
Sunny 75º
|
Early in the morning I herped in the Union County
Conservation Area. I found a few long-tail salamanders. In
the afternoon, we herped with Mike Cravens, Dan, and his dad on the Railroad
track at Heron Pond. We found 2 southern black racers, 1 mississippi
ring-necked snake, 1 black rat snake, 1 northern red-bellied snake, and
1 copper-bellied water snake. We also saw some marbled salamanders
and mole salamanders. These were both life listers. Unfortunately,
we also saw a few of the following dead snakes: 2 eastern garter snakes,
1 black rat snake, 1 midland water snake, and 1 western cottonmouth.
A total of 11 snakes. |
October 14, 2004
Light Rain 53º
|
Mike Cravens and I had decided we were not going
to stay inside all day even though the weather was bad. It was rainy
and cold. Mike had never seen a ringed salamander before, so I took
him to some vernal pools in St. Charles County Missouri. We found
two ringed salamanders in the leaf litter along with a bunch of eggs.
We were extremely careful about not disturbing the site. It was a
great day. A total of 0 snakes. |
October 16, 2004
Partly Cloudy 58º
|
My dad, sister, and I headed over to St. Charles
County Missouri to photograph anything that happened to be out. We
found eleven juvenile prairie ring-necked snakes. We were told by
other people we had just missed a copperhead crossing the trail.
Bummer! A total of 11 snakes. |
October 23, 2004
Mostly Sunny 77º
|
My dad, brother and I headed back out to
St. Charles County Missouri, because we were satisfied that last week wasn’t
our best snake day. We were certainly glad to make the effort.
It wasn’t but minutes into our search that we spotted an eastern yellow-bellied
racer sunning himself on the bluff. Not long after that we spotted
another racer take off into the woods and then another and another.
Before long we were spotting racers in the trees, shrubs, and grasses.
The concentration of racers at that location was outstanding. They
were everywhere. I went after a few in the trees and they are as
fast in the trees as they are on the ground. I also witnessed a few
take to the trees from the ground when I persued them. This was pretty
cool. Later in the day while my dad and I were photographing a prairie
ring-necked snake my brother saw something moving across the trail.
He came back with an outstanding prairie kingsnake. We photographed
him for a long time. As the day went on we saw a few more racers,
ribbon snakes, and garter snakes. While walking along the base of
the bluff I spotted something that I couldn’t believe. There wasn’t
one, or two, but three copperheads coiled together, tucked deep into the
leaves. I brought my dad and brother over to the spot and they looked
right at them, but didn’t see them. They were all very large
and beautiful. One in particular was a rosy pink or orange color.
I have never seen this color phase before. It was also about three
feet long. We eventually let them go. We saw the following
snakes: 13 Eastern Yellow-bellied Racers, 3 Eastern Garter Snakes,
3 Prairie Ring-necked Snakes, 3 Osage Copperheads, 2 Western Ribbon Snakes,1
Black Rat Snake, 1 Northern Water Snake, and 1 Prairie Kingsnake. A
total of 27 snakes. |
October 24, 2004
Sunny 73º
|
My dad, brother, and I met Mike Cravens and Wayne
and Keith Brekhus in Montgomery County Missouri. Today was nothing
like yesterday. We herped the area pretty hard without much luck.
All we saw were 2 prairie ring-necked snakes, 1 flat-headed snake, and
1 eastern yellow-bellied racer. A total
of 4 snakes. |
October 25, 2004
Mostly Sunny 80º
|
I herped with Mike Cravens in St. Charles County
Missouri today. Again, it was like yesterday. We had little
luck. All we saw were 3 prairie ring-necked snakes and 2 eastern
garter snakes. Mike saw a black rat snake at the mouth of a cave.
The snake went back into the crevice by the time I got there. A
total of 5 snakes. |
November
26, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 55º
|
I went out to St. Charles County to do some,
what I considered, doubtful herping. My younger brother, dad, and I joked
how we were going to look stupid looking for snakes with snow still blanketing
the ground. We arrived at noon. Minutes after arrival we found, coiled
tightly, a small northern water snake. This was the first time that I found
a snake with snow on the ground. We herped for a while seeing several northern
water snakes, a few of which were absolute monsters. We also saw an eastern
garter snake. The real surprise came while photographing three northern
water snakes. Stretched out under a log was a nice adult osage copperhead.
There were no rocky outcroppings or bluffs near the copperhead. The copperhead
was denning in a hole in the ground. My guess would be he was denning in
a crayfish hole or in an old tree stump. Our totals were: 5 northern water
snakes, 1 eastern garter snake, and 1 osage copperhead. A
total of 7 snakes. |
December
04, 2004
Clear 59º
|
A trip to my favorite spot in St. Charles County
Missouri was certainly in order today. My dad, brother, and I arrived
around noon. The temperature increased quickly bringing out some
snakes. We had a good day. We saw five northern water snakes.
Two of which we saw on the last trip here. They were certainly not
happy being disurbed. My brother and I found out personally.
Ouch! We also saw six eastern garter snakes. A
total of 11 snakes. |
December 12, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 52º
|
My brother, dad, and I decided to try for a snake
or two even though it seemed unlikely we were going to find one.
However, mother nature didn’t disappoint us. Not long after we arrived,
I found a northern water snake sunning himself right next to a marsh.
The cold weather made it easy to photgraph the snake. Later in the
day we saw a small eastern yellow-bellied racer sunning himself.
As I got closer I realized something wasn’t right with the snake.
The snake was severly emaciated. The snake had come out to sun himself
and while doing so, died. A total of
2 snakes. |
December 29, 2004
Mostly Clear 59º
|
My dad, brother, and I decided to check my spot
in St. Charles County Missouri. It was a little disappointing, because
I expected to see more snakes than what presented themselves. I saw
two northern water snakes. A total of
2 snakes. |
December 30, 2004
Mostly Cloudy 68º
|
I wanted to mix up my herping localities, so
I tried a spot in Boone county a couple of my friends herp. I was
a little worried about not finding much in the morning. The morning
started out cloudy, but by time we got to central Missouri, the clouds
were diminishing. We started out seeing the usual garter snakes.
We had only seen a few snakes when we started haeding back to the car.
While heading back my dad spotted a small northern water snake near a small
outcropping. Not far was a three foot eastern yellow-bellied racer.
Then I noticed an eastern garter snake. Then another one and another
one. There was a total of three garter snakes. While photographing
the various snakes, I noticed a snake coiled up on the hillside.
I was thinking northern water snake, but I shortly realized something was
different. I took a slightly closer look. I began to see an
odd, but familiar pattern. The thought running through my mind could
not have been right. The typical situation for this sighting to occur
wasn’t right. I got closer and realized my thought on the identity
of the snake was one hundred percent true. Coiled on the hillside
was an adult osage copperhead. When it rains it poors. This
is my second copperhead since November 26th of this year. I had,
at least what I consider, an oustanding day. We saw 6 eastern garter
snakes, 3 red-sided garter snakes, 2 northern water snakes, 1 eastern yellow-bellied
racer, and 1 osage copperhead. A total
of 13 snakes. |
December 31, 2004
Mostly Clear 70º
|
My dad, brother, my friend Nathan, his friend
Kevin, and I decided to give one last herping expedition before the new
year. We decided to go all in, in an effort to photograph a massasauga.We
arrived in Clinton County Illinois around 11:30am. However, the day
was a bust. An early flat tire, and hours of unrewarding herping.
Oh well. I had a big bang to the end of the year. I can’t
wait to see what next year brings. A
total of 0 snakes. |
