5-15-10
Trip Details
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
Weather: Mix of sun and clouds, with low wind. High of 73 degrees.
Location: Russell & Ellsworth Counties, Kansas
Herpers: Chad Whitney, Brian Hubbs, Kevin & Anja Scott, Tom Magers, Courtney Gaverth, Jim Scharosch & Matt Ricklefs
Account by: Matt Ricklefs
Photos by: Jim Scharosch & Matt Ricklefs
Thought of the Day: Herping caravan!
As we were out in Kansas we made plans to stop by and see Chad Whitney and see if he would like to go out herping. As luck would have it he had time and even had some others that would join us. We ended up with quite the herping caravan.
The preliminary forecast for Saturday was a chance of rain. We were pleasantly surprised in the morning that not only had our now dry tents stayed dry (no heavy dew) but that the weather seemed to be decent. We did see some clouds in the distance, but they were only vaguely threatening. We sat down to fine breakfast and made a point to touch base with the herping group. Here is a pic of Jim showing off his sausage.
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
To the south and east of us it appeared it was raining and fairly well in some places. Based on schedules we knew we would not all be able to get together much before 11:00 so after cleaning up we headed out to a few quick spots.
Our first find was a beautiful Great Plains Rat Snake (Elaphe guttata emoryi) about twenty-one inches long that had been under a large piece of semi dug in tin.
Photos by Jim Scharosch
First we found its shed, and then Jim pulled out the snake. One really cool thing about GPR's is the "ghost head" they usually have on the top of their heads.
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
We took some time to get some nice pictures before packing up and moving on.
Our next find was another first for the trip, a Bullsnake (Pituophis c. sayi).
Photos by Jim Scharosch
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
This one was actually out by some tin sunning. It was about four and a half feet long and in nice shape. We were by a nice fence and it just kept backing up right in the corner. It was nice enough to not bite me for an "in hand" shot.
Other than a large field of wild hemp, which of course we had several jokes about, that was all we found before hooking up with our band of merry herpers.
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
Jim and I met up with Chad and then we met Brian, Kevin and Anja at a predetermined highly secret location. OK, it was just a pull off by the interstate. We were joined a little later in the day by Courtney and Tom. Our first big find as a group was a juvenile Western Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum testaceus).
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
It posed fairly well and only pulled the "dead head" trick they do a little bit. This was a first for me and my second Masticophis as we had found an adult Eastern Coachwhip on our Missouri trip.
Photos by Jim Scharosch
Jim caught a baby Great Plains Skink (Eumeces obsoletus)
Photo by Jim Scharosch
Our next find was a Western Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus a. attenuatus) about fourteen inches long.
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
Photos by Jim Scharosch
After that, we finally got our first Central Plains Milk Snake of the day, (Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis) found by Anja.
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
This one also had some very nice coloring and we all took a little time to capture some nice pics.
Photo by Jim Scharosch
At another location we pulled up a couple of Speckled King Snakes (Lampropeltis getula holbrooki) about fifteen inches long.
First king snake
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
Second king snake
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
One had a very goofy pose so I took a shot. You may notice also that every once in a while you see blood on kings. This is due to the defensive habit of everting their cloacas.
Soon after we got another milk, this one another good example of what I consider the "classic gentilis" look.
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
This one was about the same size as the king we had just found. Soon after we got a larger and darker milk, this one about twenty-one inches.
Photo by Jim Scharosch
Next, another milk about thirteen inches. It did have a cool dark blotch that we made a point to get pictures of.
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
The next milk was nice as well and just a little smaller.
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
The next milk was a juvenile.
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
Next, Kevin found a very large and gravid Lined Snake (Tropidoclonion lineatum) about thirteen inches long!
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
She was not much in the mood for pictures. Soon after this we spread out a little as we waited for Courtney and Tom and Brian moved to another location. At a quick stop we pulled up another dark milk.
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
At another location I took some time to get pics of a grumpy Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris).
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
I also got some pictures of a four inch Woodhouse's Toad (Bufo woodhousii).
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
That was the last for the whole group.
Photo by Jim Scharosch
We did get a group picture of course before Jim and I and Courtney and Tom headed east to another location as we headed back toward home and Chad, Kevin and Anja went into town to eat. Brian still was out and about.
On our way to our next location I did find a Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata) that in the fading light and with a quick moving subject I only got a fair picture of.
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
At our last location we found another king.
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
Photo by Jim Scharosch
And soon after that a nice milk was found.
Photos by Jim Scharosch
Then a very dark milk
Photo by Jim Scharosch
We also turned up a juvenile Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris).
Photo by Matt Ricklefs
This one was just getting ready to shed.
Our last find of the day was a juvenile milk.
Photos by Matt Ricklefs
As the day darkened, the clouds thickened up and we started to get sprinkles. Before separating from Courtney and Tom we had an unexpected reuniting with Brian. After a quick download we all headed out.
A good day overall was made better by getting out with a fun group of people, most of whom we had not met before. That is always fun.
Jim and I decided not to camp it this night as we started getting heavier sprinkles. We hit an IHOP by our motel for dinner and recounted our day of happy herping.
Stay tuned for day four!
