This is my fifth snake season scanning rock cuts with Wayne and my first hunting trip of the year. It's also the first time I have ever seen a gray-band on a cut. Until this past weekend, I thought it was an "urban myth" or something.
The first time I ever went snakehunting with Wayne, I spotted a longnose curled up in crevice near Sanderson. Initially, he thought it was "trash" on the cut. I told him, "You know, I've been looking at trash for the last five hours...that's not trash." He got out of the truck to investigate...mostly just to appease me. He got close to it and turned around with a look of amazement on his face. It was a snake, for sure. Wayne admitted if he had seen it, he would have dismissed it as nothing and moved on. Since that time, he has always taken me seriously when I say "go back" or "SNAKE!"
When I spotted the gray-band on the cut, Wayne said it was "poop". I said, "You know, I've been looking at ringtail poop for five years...that's not poop." We both got out of the vehicle and spotted the black blotches while we hashed it out for a few seconds before determining it was definitely a snake.
It was high enough on the cut that there was no way we were going to collect it without Wayne turning into Spiderman. He attempted to climb the cut but some rocks gave way. He pulled his truck up to the cut (got stuck once in the dirt), jumped on the hood and then climbed a few feet to snag the snake. He yelled down that it was a gray-band. I wasn't surprised...something told me it would be (it just HAD to be). He grossed me out by putting the snake between his teeth so he could climb down safely (I hope the snake has had its rabies shots...ha ha ha). Needless to say, I happily did the obligatory gray-band dance on Highway 90.
Yes, it's true...I do have the eyes of a hawk. I tend to look for the obscure and he looks for the obvious...that's what makes us great snakehunting partners. Of course, the fact that I split expenses and let him keep everything I spot is an added benefit for him, too. Oh, and...I can stay awake longer than he can. Afterall, someone has to drive from Langtry back to Del Rio at 4 AM after snakehunting all night!
We've agreed to name the snake "Staind" since their song "It's been awhile" was playing at the time we found it. How very appropriate!
Meridith Wehrle
I give full credit to Meridith Wehrle for spotlighting this beauty. He was approximately 12 feet high on the cut sitting on a ledge. This was her first alterna to spot on a cut, but her third overall. This woman has eyes of a hawk, and Yes, she did the grayband boogie. I had to stand on top of my vehicle and then climb 4 more feet up the cut to catch this guy. He was not stretched out upon sighting him. He was coiled up and sitting almost out of sight. He is about 1.5 feet in length. Enjoy!
We will be out there during Memorial Day along with everybody else. I look forward to herping Baja and Arizona! I am posting my weekly updates again tomorrow (well, today now!) Take care.