4-10-06

Trip Details

Start Time: 3:00 p.m.

Weather: Sunny. Around 73 degrees. Low wind.

Location: Linn County, Iowa

Herpers: Matt Ricklefs

I had gotten out a little on Saturday and Sunday. Both days were cool, about 63 degrees but relatively sunny. I found nothing. This was the first warming trend so there was not many days that were warm before this. There were a number of frogs calling, but I saw nothing, so I was anxious to get out today. The temps took a soar and it was very sunny. I walked my Bullsnake spot and got all the way to the end. Under a couple of boards I found two Brown Snakes (Storeria dekayi wrightorum x texana). The first was an average adult at about 6 inches.

The second was a juvenile about 3 inches long.

The second was very warm and very wriggly. I tried out my new digital camera and got some alright shots. It was a good first test, especially with the macro. After getting some practice in I let them go on their way and headed out. I hit a few other spots that I haven't been to in a while and there was nothing. There was some promising new habitat though, so that was good. This was the first real warm day and my first real time out. I didn't light it up, but I didn't get skunked either. The season is just beginning up here...