9-12-10

Photo by Matt Ricklefs

Trip Details

Location: Jackson County, IA

Conditions: 75 degrees and sunny with little wind.

Time: about 11:00 a.m.

Herpers: Jim Scharosch & Matt Ricklefs
Account by: Matt Ricklefs
Photos by: Jim Scharosch & Matt Ricklefs

Thought of the Day: "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm"

We were trying to hit the fall season a little better than we had in the past so we took advantage of the good weather to get out this weekend.
Our first find at one of our good locations was pretty common, but we don't see a ton of them in this area. It was a Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis).

This one was about twelve inches in length. It did not want to get its picture taken very well and as you can see. The next find, another generally common species but not always in this area was a Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi).

This little dude was about six inches or so.

The next couple of finds were Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) and although we didn't find a ton, we did about average for this location.

Photos by Jim Scharosch

Photos by Matt Ricklefs

They were pretty nice as well and both were about fifteen to eighteen inches.

Our next find was one we find up here every once in a while, a Red-Belly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) around five and a half inches.

Photos by Jim Scharosch

These are always a nice find.

Our main quarry, a Timber Rattlesnake, had this day eluded us. It just goes to show that you can have the perfect area and the perfect day and still not find some of what you are looking for. It just makes you go "hmmmmmmmmmmmmm" and ponder why. Fall is usually a little more hit and miss so that does play a part in this day.

As we walked back to the car, we did have a hoppy little fellow bid us happy herpin'. It was an American Toad (Bufo americanus) that once on the road was actually quite belligerent to get off and had to be literally pushed off the road by Jim.

Before that you can see in the picture the majestic toad surveying its domain. All hail the hypnotoad. That was it. We should have at least one last adventure this fall so until next time...

Hmmmmmmmmmmpy Herpin'