With approx. 14-16 other reptile enthusiast and observationiast ( < word ? ) we encountered the very worst of weather and the very best of some night time temps. The most logged on time of observing was spent on River Road and 118 from Alpine ( condensed to a smaller area between the Longhorn Motel and Study Butte ) to Study Butte with a few trying the Black Gap region. Pickings were thin as to the weather pattern that had involked the area although there was some ideal nights. Among us there were sightings of lepidus, atroxes , numerous molossus, several pictigasters, and at least one mojave. On the non-venomous side, numerous subocs with a only small sightings of everything else. There was a report of one alterna been seen right before the mass had arrived and this was reportedly found on 118 by the Xmas Mt. range area. We had great fun meeting up with new herpers ( at least for me ) with the likes of Mike from San Atone, Troy W, David from San Antone, Shawn D and Brandon D from Kansas City, Trey P and Justin from Alabama. and my pardner the cowboy from Mo. Donnie C. Even though the weather wasn't really ideal for the most part, there were an average of 5-7 snakes seen per vehicle per night. Numbers are approx. of all parties involved:
3 pics
30 black tails
20 or so on atroxes
at least 3 leps
1 mojave
12 to 15 sobocs
several longnoses
several but low numbers of night snakes
at least one desert king
several bulls
several but low numbers of the various other desert snakes of that region.
If it hadn't been for the monsoon of rain on one day and of the rain before and of the several days of very clouded skies plus somwhat cooler temps than normal, it would have been probably ideal on all days/nights.
Chambo ( the fact and number guy )
