Account and photos by: Matt Ricklefs

Thought of the Day: Foxy!

It was the end of the week, I had some time and the weather was pretty good. When I first arrived where I was going I was greeted by a few Whitetail Deer, so I snapped a quick pic.

I then carried on to hit some of my normal haunts and my first find was a MIlk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum).

This one was about that was about fourteen inches. I have been working on some of my photo techniques and although I still have some learning, this was a good opportunity with a fairly willing subject to practice with. When I was done I looked around to my "forgotten" spot and AGAIN it paid off. This time I found a species I had not found in this area for a little while. It was a Western Fox Snake (Elaphe v. vulpina).

This was a fair sized one at about twenty-four inches. This one was not in the mood for picture taking. Although quite docile as they usually are, this one was not about to sit still. I did manage a few fair shots however before letting it settle back in for the night. I did find one more Milk Snake as well.

This second one was about fifteen inches. I am comfortable in stating that this area is a hibernaculum. There is plenty of area to get down deep enough and in spring we have found a lot of snakes and snake species to this point.

I tried did try more spot. I had found a juvenile Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) before a few days ago and found one again.

This one was a little larger at about ten inches long.

May is going quickly so take advantage of getting out as much as you can.

Happy Herpin'