Great topic. I'm sure my catches can't come close to the quality animals of most on this board. My favorites are based on experience of the capture, not necessarily the quality of the animal.
WARNING: Long post and partly off-topic.
Favorite w/c King:
Hiking around a lake in East Texas (don't recall which one). I had just sighted my first wild aligator, so I was having a GREAT day. All the sudden, I heard a rustle and saw a yellow flash to my right. The chase was on! Unfortunately, my reflexes were too slow. The snake disappeared over an overhang about six feet above the lake surface. Then, I saw it! He resurfaced and was swimming frantically across the narrow, duck-weed choked inlet. My rushing adrenaline left only one option -JUMP! Too bad I didn't think to remove hipsack, wallet and watch. Moments later, I scrambled to the bank, looking like the "Creature from the Black Lagoon". I did the happy dance right there, dripping wet and covered in duckweed, lilly-pads and mud. I couldn't care less. I was holding a gorgeous speckled king, with classic single yellow dot on each shiny black dorsal scale. I had captured dozens with the more typical chain pattern, but nothing like this. I later donated it to the Fairfield Zoo.
Favorite w/c Lampropeltis:
Another hike through east Texas. This time near Fairfield Lake. I stopped to rest beside a fallen log in a mixed pine and hardwood forest. While resting, I kept looking at the rotten stump that once supported the large pine log I was resting against. I figured, what the heck, enough hiking, time for a little herping. While using my hands to rip apart the stump, I spotted a quickly disappearing flash of red, black and yellow. The snake was retreating into one of the larger rotting roots. He was nearly gone forever! Thrashing out, I grabbed the tail at the last possible second. Then, my mind raced, "milk or coral, milk or coral, what in my hand?" I've never been so relieved to see red touching black. The next ten minutes were spent carefully excavating an average looking Lousianna Milk. Ten minutes digging, ten minutes celebrating, and two minutes debating taking him home (deperately wanted some photos, but no camera and I was in a State Park). Ultimately, he crawled back into what was left of his home, and I resumed my hike, empty handed but with a great memory!
Favorite w/c Hot:
Spent my birthday (10/21) driving from Dallas to west Texas to do some end of the season herping. One night, then back home. I'd arrived in the TransPecos as the sun set. No chance to hike or enjoy the views. Oh well, I was there to drive the roads. As the temperature dropped, so did my hopes. Around 11pm, I knew the trip was wasted. It had just dropped below 70 and no herps yet. Common sense said, "hang it up and drive home". Determination said, "just a few more minutes". I finally pulled over at 2am and 59 degerees. Common sense had finally won out. As I started to turn around, a HUGE head poked out from the brush at the road's shoulder. I sat there drop jawed as a 4.5 foot blacktail crept slowly on to the road. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! This was my first molossus. I just had to take some photos but there were no good back drops. I would have to bag him. I tried every trick I knew to drop or entice him into a large open bag. He was on serious offense and refused all efforts. I'd have to pin and pick him up. Oh well, I'd pinned and handled dozens of WDB, many larger than this guy. I figured, "no problem", pinned him and picked him up. BIG MISTAKE! He immediately wrapped around both arms and started to constrict. I'm not sure who caught who. He had me trapped. I couldn't get him in the bag and couldn't let him go. After 20 minutes of struggling, I finally got him in the bag. I quickly tied the bag, double, then triple bagged my prize, then DROPPED to the ground exhausted. Talk about an adrenaline crash. I parked right there, blew off returning for work and slept till noon.
Favorite w/c All Time:
Enjoying summer camp as a young boy. I was eleven and in heaven. Swimming with friends in a cool hill country stream, pressures from chores, parents and older siblings (I was youngest of four) miles away and stresses of adulthood years in the future. Life couldn't get better. Then, it did. I spotted and quickly grabbed what to my young eyes had to be the most gorgeous snake in the world. I was immediately the most popular kid in camp. I was holding a beautiful little black-necked garter snake and everyone wanted to be near me. Then, my sister showed up to drive me home. I did NOT want to go home, but at least I had a REALLY cool trophy. Then Sis spotted my new pet and said no. Well actually, she screamed -loudly, forcefully and repeatedly. There was NO WAY that "spawn of the Devil" (her actual words!) was getting into her car. When I refused to release it, she grabbed it (probably the only time she has ever touched a reptile) and threw it as far as she could. Punch, kick, scream, run! She doubled over in pain and I ran as fast as my legs would allow. Picking up my new friend, I saw he was stunned but seemed unharmed. Stalking back to my sister, I was scanning the area for weapons. She saw the look in my eyes, backed-down, opened my door and drove me and my snake home in silence. Ever since, I've had a very special place in my heart for black-necked garters.
thomas
sure wish i had a pic but it was very similiar to yours w/that beautiful golden chrome yellow they sure are great snakes and to this day make me dance&scream when found in the field,,,,,,,thomas
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