Start Time: 11:00 a.m.

Weather: Sunny with few clouds. Around 71 getting to a high of about 78 degrees. Little wind.

Location: Douglas Co. Colorado

Herpers: Sarah Africa & Matt Ricklefs

Account & photos by: Matt Ricklefs

Thought of the Day: One last day

My niece wanted to get out and see if we could find some snakes, and of course I was good with this. Not only because it’s just great herping, but it’s great she has an interest in this. Our first stop was my new Bullsnake spot. Not long after arriving we spotted a familiar pattern in the grass. I was able to get a situ shot of what would end up being a four foot Bullsnake (Pituophis c. sayi).

Of course I was able to get some other shots as well. This one was pretty calm and posed fairly well. As I stood up it went defensive so I got a few other shots. I had spoke to Tim (see post from 5/28/08) that in Kansas was the first time I had seen a Bullsnake flatten its head in what appeared to be a Prairie Rattlesnake mimic. He said it was common in Colorado and this one did produce this effect. It amazes me how mimicry and camouflage develop. As I was finishing up taking pics of this one, Sarah spotted another Bullsnake. This one was too close to the wall and too prepared to flee and even with an attempt by Sarah, it got away.

That’s the way it goes. In this spot is an old wooden door that looks REALLY good, but we had yet to find anything…I kept my hopes up as this is an easy place to check.

Sarah went back to my aunt’s house as she had plans with the family, but I went to one other spot. I only found a Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus undulates) in situ.

Around 6:00 p.m. I went back at my aunts as was the rest of the family. Sarah and I decided to go out one last time. We went back to the Bullsnake spot and this time, under the glorious wooden door, was an Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris).

This one was about twenty-eight inches. It posed fairly well and I was very happy to see one more species on this trip.

That was all for the Colorado trip, and the end of my Rocky Mountain high.

Until next time, heppy herpin'