Things have been a little slow around here lately, so I thought I would put something up. I was out in North Carolina a few weeks back now, and though I spent more time on the beach and golfing, I managed to sneak away for a day. Didn’t turn up anything too exciting but I was happy with what I saw and glad to be able to get out.
The first place I stopped I had missed the road I wanted to turn on, so I pulled into a little turnaround. Well I spied some carpet back in the woods so I had to check it out. The first fold I flipped had this in it.
Rat Snake
Not exactly the best looking animal, but I was happy I flipped something and optimistic about the rest of the day. Well, it heated up real fast and I didn’t flip anything else.
I saw a ton of DOR cottons, rough greens, various Nerodia and turtle species, but despite walking every body of water and swamp I could find, the finds just weren’t happening.
I did manage to see 2 of these freshly killed.
Mud Snake
This species was really high on my list and I was bummed to only see dead ones. At least I knew I was looking in the right habitat though!
I cruised a couple of racers on the road and didn’t really bother with them. One was acting really neat though so I snapped a few pics from a distance. I loved the way he was cruising through the tall grass…
I spotted this red belly basking pretty late in the day. I was feeling pretty content just letting him chill though so I snapped a quick in situ and went on my way.
Finally I found another one of my targets later in the day. I have seen 3 of these DOR in Ohio, and although I wish it was an OH specimen, it was great to see one anyway, as it was a lifer.
Rough Green
I tried some night cruising next hoping for a copperhead or anything that may be out (really kinda wishing for a pigmy!)
Stuff was moving as I saw a ton of Nerodia, and then I finally spotted this little guys head just poking out on the road.
Stuff started to slow down and I decided to make the long trip back to OBX after that.
A few days later I was checking out a neat swamp area on the golf course, and right away I spot this hognose.
My foursome was going to kill me and the people behind were also getting restless, so when it decided to play dead, I tucked him safely away from the course and let him come back to life without any more harassment.
All in all I was happy to be out in some great habitat and see some neat herps. I had a little bit of help as well, and I greatly appreciate the advice I was given.
Jason
Hey Dean,
Where is the report from last weekend??
When I was younger, it used to be real interesting to watch me try and bait my hook with out really touching the worm!