This post would have been up sooner, but I’ve been busy as hell. On top of that, we had a massive storm come through Billings last weekend, with a tornado(!!!) causing some major damage to parts of the city. Anyway, here it is and I hope you enjoy!
-Cole
Several weeks ago, Dell and I were graced by a visit from a couple of good friends and fellow milk-heads… Jeff Hardwick and Jose’ Ole’ (AKA “Prybar”) are always an absolute pleasure for Dell and I (and our families) to have around. Solid guys, hard herpers, and both are able to hold their own while drinking beer with the Montana Milk Maffia (after lots of practice, of course!). The guys had come to Billings, Montana from far away (one near Canada, the other near Mexico) for a week of herping, scholarly discussion, cigar smoking, and beer swilling. I sure hope they weren’t disappointed!
We herped much of the Southcentral and Southeastern portions of Montana with Pale Milksnakes (Lampropeltis triangulum multistrata) our major goal. Habitats in this part of the state are extremely varied, ranging from craggy mountain peaks at 13,000 feet above sea level, to pine and aspen forest, short-grass prairie, and semi-desert. What follows is a smattering of photos from our week of herping.
Our first day was grueling, and filled with insect bites, cactus thorns, and stinky dogs (dead things are apparently fun to roll in...). After several hours of hunting, we happened across a rancher who allowed us to access his property. The weather was cool, humid and raining on-and-off. It turned out to be better than we’d even expected!
Habitat
Prybar and Dell
Pituophis catenifer sayi
Lampropeltis triangulum multistrata
Trixie and Bob
The following few days we spent exploring a private holding to which only we have access. The place is huge, beautiful, and productive – man, I wish I owned it! We made some interesting discoveries, too!
Habitat
Lampropeltis triangulum multistrata
Crotalus viridis
Lampropeltis triangulum multistrata
Charina bottae
C. bottae and Prybar
The following day, we headed into some semi-desert country to try to find some of the most elusive milks I’ve ever hunted. The habitat is extensive, rough, and rugged.
Habitat
Lampropeltis triangulum multistrata with a belly full of Sceloporus graciosus
Deeply eroded and washed-out roads require the right type of vehicle!
Dusk can be an “interesting” time in this area – bears are common and mountain lions abundant. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any.
Jeff and I also made a few other trips, including one to Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin. The area is remarkably arid, and ribbons of green are seen following water sources.
Jeff, Dell, and I also spent a day hunting closer to Billings after Jose Ole had headed back to attend to his graduate studies.
It turned out to be a good choice, too! Not only did we have excellent weather, but we found some animals and were back in town in time to hit a local micro-brewery!
Heterodon nasicus
coming back to life
Alive!
Jeff and Dell examining it
And a parting shot of a milk from the end of the day
