Headed east over the mountains last weekend for a wedding reception in the Tri-Cities area and managed to fit in a few hours of herping. Conditions were partly cloudy, mid-60’s and windy, but the critters were active.


Didn’t have any luck at the first spot I tried.


This second spot was much more productive.




Northern Scorpion


The first herps of the day were a Northern Pacific rattler and a young gopher snake under the same tire. As you can see, the gopher was underneath the Norpac, and unfortunately the gopher shot out into the thigh deep brush before I could grab him.




Bad picture of a good looking widow


The second gopher of the day. Another young one.


Found the third gopher partially eaten underneath a red-tailed hawk. Like the first two, he was also a sub-3ft. juvenile. I was hoping to find some larger adult snakes, but maybe I wasn’t far enough out from civilization. Damn you Dan Eby! Ha


The country is a dangerous place to be a road sign…

[ Hide Replies ]

• First herps of the year in WA - Andyh, Thu Apr 29 13:44:44 2010
• RE: First herps of the year in WA - jhnscrg, Thu Apr 29 18:48:26 2010
• RE: First herps of the year in WA - varanid, Fri Apr 30 14:51:50 2010
• RE: First herps of the year in WA - jhnscrg, Fri Apr 30 18:35:03 2010