I'll start with a couple in situ gartern snakes. I love when they don't fear our presence, and lift up high to keep an eye on us...
However...I also love it when they don't fear our presence and like to show up about it.
We had so much rain (about 4"
that our pond and creek became one and took over about 3/4 of my pasture. I didn't have to walk as far to see this little guy...I love the green markings. They normally has a pretty good "X" pattern on their back. This guy looked as if he was mottled in green moss. Just a nice patter I guess. I normally don't give them the time of day, but have since realized the value and joy of sharing everything we find.
I realized yesterday I need to school my kids a bit more...but wow, I was really proud of them. I was cutting up wood and they started hollering for me..."Dad...a poisonous snake!!!" Knowing how much rain we got, I figured a Nerodia had found itself eye-to-eye with its worst enemy. As I got closer my daughter had changed the identification to a fence lizard :O)
As I approached, I was really thinking I might see a fence lizard...I've never seen one in my county in my entire life, but this is the first Spring I've lived in this new place that borders the woods and pond, etc. Well I walked up to find just the head of this snake poking from some of the thick pasture weeds. I could barely see some of the body and could tell it was a nice sized L. calligaster. I told them last year it would be a great place to find one. I had actually found a GIGANTIC shed in my front yard that I passed off as an obsoleta...This shed was at leats 48". Now I am started to question if it could have been this prarie kingsnakes...King of our Prarie. What a beautiful snake...not a blemish on her! I was so proud of my kids that we were able to see this snake and release it together back where we found her. She definately felt like she will be adding to the food chain...unless she was full of field mice.
A few pictures...I still have to measure the broom, but we're really close to 4'.
The last find of the day was this little dekays. My daugher found it out in the field on the crawl. I swear these kids have eyes like hawks! I love having my little herpers in the field. I told them how great it was that I can still find snakes without having time to go out there myself. I have a feeling I will see more snakes this year than I have my whole life.
Have a great week everyone!
John Eddington
