Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I’ll start out with a few non-herps:

First off here are a few pics of a couple cool little fish that Bill Peterman (WEP) and myself found while snorkeling for hellbenders on the Meramec River in central Missouri.

Cottus bairdi Mottled Sculpin

I’ve always told myself that I needed to learn to identify the crayfish that I come across while turning rocks and looking for other critters. This summer, while the herping was slow, I did just that. Lucky for me Missouri is rich in crayfish diversity providing me the opportunity to stay quite busy this summer. Hunting for crayfish “crayfishing” turned out to be almost as fun as herping; so if you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it.

Here’s just a few of species I found this summer:

This is the species that sparked my Crayfish quest this summer Cambarus maculates the freckled crayfish. This species is endemic to a portion of the Meramec River drainage. (I’m still working out the fine points of crayfish photography so don’t judge too harshly)

Here’s another C. maculates from a different part of the drainage. I thought this guy looked more like a Maine Lobster than a crayfish.

This next one is Orconectes medius the saddlebacked crayfish, again from the Meramec River drainage.

Here is a couple photos of Orconectes hylas or woodland crayfish from the Black River drainage in the St. Francois Mountains.

Finally, here’s Orconectes Harrisoni the belted crayfish; this quick, medium sized crayfish is only found in the Big River and its tributaries.

Just one more Arthropod before I move on to the herps.

This mantis was found on my spare tire just the other day on a herp trip so I took advantage of the opportunity and grabbed some photos.

Ok, now for some herps:

This youngish calligaster was found crossing a county highway near my home town of Farmington.

This large calligaster was found under a tarp behind my place of work.

Ryan Thies (serpentryan) and I found this nice looking sirtalis over on the Illinois side of the river.

Just the other day I visited a large artificial desert here in Missouri where I found one of my favorite Missouri herps, this gorgeous flagellum.

Notice how they have a look of black velvet.

In the same area I found plenty of juvenile collaris.

Plus a few adults

On my way home from the artificial desert I stopped to flip some tin. I flipped the first piece of tin and uncovered a large contortrix that I let slip away without a photo. Then I came upon a sort of sunken tub where I had the good fortune to rescue four carolina triunguis that seemed hopelessly stuck. Here’s one of them:

I hope you enjoyed them, Mike

excellent pictures, what sort of camera do you use?

Hi ritt,thanks

Some were shot with a Canon 20D and some with a 10D, most with a 100mm macro and a few with a 180mm macro.

Mike

Those sure are some clear photos. I'm hoping to purchase a canon rebel XT or XTi sometime soon! Your pics are great!
JasonMc

Thanks Jason,

and good luck with the new camera.

Mike

Mike,

Interesting stuff and excellent aquarium photography work!

That coachwhip was a real stunner as well.

Chris
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Thanks Chris,

That means a lot coming from you.

Mike

Great Shots!

I had an idea that there are a lot of sps. of Crayfish, but never knew they were so colorful!

Thanks, and keep of the great camera work!

Rgds JPD
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

JPD,

Thanks for the nice comments!

Mike

That is an awsome bunch of pics!Great camera work.I especially like the Calligaster.What camera?

Thanks lbrat,

The camera was a 20D, with a 100mm macro lens, mounted on a tripod. It was shot at f22 with fill flash.

Mike

Mike, glad you posted those great photos here! Always look forward to seeing your work and I didn't know there was such a diversity in crayfish, I love to learn new stuff! It has been very slow in south Texas waiting for the neonates to emerge in their feeding frenzy before winter. With the rains we have had recently, it looks like fall is under way! Great stuff,especially love the calligasters, post more often!
Todd Hughes

Thanks Todd,

I always mean to post over here but never seem to get around to it. I will certainly try to extend my posts over here from now on. I will be in South TX in the spring for hopefully a couple of weeks; I’d love to hook up for some herping if you can find the time.

Mike

Let me know we will do it and maybe you can show me where to find some sallies down here, I heard of such a thing but can't find any moss! LOL! antelope297todd@aol.com
Todd Hughes

Fantastic! Love the teeth on the collared lizard.

Thanks Pregilla,

Those guys do have some wicked teeth.

Mike

Knock it OFF!! Man I'm in Iraq for the whole season and you post this??? LOL... Nice pics, I finaly got to see my altime most wanted in MO last May, Osage Cooperhead. I found 2 of them on the same road near the Ozark State Park Cave. The real bummer is that when I get back it will be mid- winter, the wife will have put the snakes down already ( God bless her . Oh well, I guess that's good enough reason to go to FL!!! Thanks and Rock On, Blue