September 27, 2003
Mostly Sunny 75
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My trip to Union County Illinois
was a big success. I had a great time with some fellow herp enthusiasts.
We found a total of 30 snakes. Thanks to Mike Pingleton and all the
guys for inviting me. I learned alot. I can't wait
to do it again with them next year.
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September 28, 2003
Partly Cloudy 68
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Mingo
Swamp was also a great trip the next day. I saw a nice total of 11
snakes. The timber rattlesnake awaits for yet another time.
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October 4, 2003
Sunny 72
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Another very productive Saturday
with a total of 26 snakes in Warren County, Missouri. A highlight
of this trip includes finding 10 ringnecks under one rock.
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October 5, 2003
Sunny 70
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Sunday came with 16 more snakes
in Jefferson County, Missouri in the Valley View Glades. Highlight
of today's trip included finding the elusive Speckled Kingsnake.
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October 11, 2003
Sunny 70
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A quick Saturday outing gives
me 2 more snakes in far west St. Louis County near the Route 66 State Park
and Lone Elk Park.
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October 18, 2003
Sunny 75
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Took a trip out to Carlyle
Lake in Illinois. It was rather disappointing. Only a few Eastern
Garter Snakes and no Massasauga Rattlers.
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October 19, 2003
Sunny 80
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Fought the traffic to make
a trip up to Pere Marquette Park. Another disappointing day.
More road kill snakes than live snakes.
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October 26, 2003
Mostly Cloudy 48
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I knew the temperature wasn't
going to cooperate, but I couldn't resist going out in search of a snake.
My trip took me to St. Charles County Missouri near the Clark Bridge.
The day was pretty slow. I did manage to catch a glimps of an eastern
garter snake as he slide into a nearby oxbow lake. I gave up after
a while and went bird watching instead.
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November 2, 2003
Mostly Sunny 76
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I went to Danville Conservation
Area in a last ditch effort to maybe find a copperhead. I was surprised
with an unexpected site. My first ever timber rattlesnake was coiled
up in a ledge. That turned out to be the trip's highlighted moment.
No copperheads, but a great trip.
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November 16, 2003
Partly Cloudy 64
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A quick trip was in order today
on this warm November afternoon. The destination was the area around
the Clark Bridge in St. Charles County. Only one garter snake was
seen today sunning on top of the beaver lodge. He darted before I
could even get a picture.
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November 22, 2003
Mostly Cloudy 70
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Was not anticipating any snakes
on this Saturday morning since I was working with my school in a stream
cleanup, but as chance would have, on the shore of the creek there we found
a garter snake sunning himself. This was a very aggressive snake
and took exception to me holding it. Owwwwww! Later in the
afternoon when I expected to find snakes out at the grandparent's house
in Warren County, Missouri, I was shut-out. Hmm!
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December 27, 2003
Mostly Clear 60
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The temperature looked to cooperate
today and I was just itching to find my first ever December snake.
I drove out to central Missouri and met up with Keith Brekhus and we checked
out some den sights. We were rewarded with 5 snakes. Our finds
included an eastern garter snake, two intergrade red-sided/eastern garter
snakes, and two eastern yellow-bellied racers. A four foot racer
was the highlight of the trip.. What a great way to end the
year!
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