Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Night of capture

I found her(?) shortly after sunset on 118 just NW of Willow Mountain.

Day of release

I'm lucky enough to know the guy that owns Willow Mountain and got permission to release her on a rocky outcrop between the sight of capture and the mountain.

Parting shot

I flubbed the actual release shot when she bolted into a fissure before I was ready. Someday I'll figure out how to upload the video to YouTube.

Some think I was batty to release my first alterna.

Or, perhaps empty headed.

But for me, keeping herps is a wondrous but sticky trap.

And, I'm to fat and lazy for all the husbandry chores.

Besides, seeing them in the wild is what gives me a buzz.

A really sweet buzz

And, letting them go keeps them happy and keeps my chin up.

in the earlier thread. Guess I hit the new post button instead of "reply"

Great pic's & story! Thanks for posting them up!

I release just about everything I capture here locally... But, I don't think i could release a good looking alterna!

I guess we will see?

~ Mike Russo

Are you coming out here to Texas this Summer? If so, about time! Hopefully we can meet up...

And Daryl-that is one AWESOME pict!
-----
Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Hey Brad,

I am working on it now.. If I do head out there I will be with Jim Dobis.. So, I will not be completely lost!

If/when plans are finalized I will let you know..

~ Mike Russo

>>I release just about everything I capture here locally... But, I don't think i could release a good looking alterna!

Believe me, I thought about keeping it! However, I got burned out on keeping snakes years ago (tried keeping more than I could handle).

I'm kind of like an alcoholic in recovery. Keeping "just one or two" sounds harmless, but I don't want to trigger a binge.

The picture you took of the alterna with Willow Mtn. in the background is one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

>>The picture you took of the alterna with Willow Mtn. in the background is one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

Wow! Thanks! It didn't quite work out the way I wanted. I would have preferred the snake to be larger in the frame.

I just was trying to imitate a style that several other posters here have mastered. I really love the "herps in the scenery" shots, but I've never managed to get the composition, and focus (of foreground and background) quite right (I need some training, experience, and a better camera). I'm really glad that it worked for you.

I agree with the others -- wonderful photos of a very nice alterna. --Henry W.