Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Moderator: Scott Waters
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Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
2014 brought many blessings and wonderful experiences for my daughter Jessica and me. Every day something 'new'. Something beautiful! And something to build upon in life's experience. It was a lots of fun. And I am ready for some warm weather to get back out there again, and especially with her...my 'partner in crime' as they say. LoL. No 'lifers' here, just some good times and experiences with her and others. Here is a little of what we saw around here. Hope you enjoy.
Midland Water - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Midland Water - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Midland Water - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Atomic Possum Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Tim Johnson @ Reelfoot Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
North Reelfoot - Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
W. Ribbon Snake (gravid female) Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
E. Ribbon Snake (male) Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Midland Brown Snake - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
SE. Crowned Snake (male) Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
W. Mud Snake - Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
W. Mud Snake - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Marsh - Henderson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
'Dead tree Slough' Henderson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Jessica Frymire & female W. Mud Snake from north Reelfoot by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
'Firebelly' N. Copperbelly Water (male) Henderson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
N. Copperbelly Water (female) Henderson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Prairie King - Hardin Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Red Milk - Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Scarlet King - Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
King (Speckled X Black) Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
W. Smooth Earth Snake (female) Hardin Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Corn Snake - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Rat Snake - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Midland Water - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - gravel stream habitat - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
N. Copperhead - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Timber Rattlesnake - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Timber Rattlesnake - Lyon Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Timber Rattlesnake (blue) Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Five-lined Skink - Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
E. Fence Lizard (gravid female) Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Five-lined Skink (turning & brooding her eggs) Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Jessica & Slender Glass Lizard - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Broadhead Skink (big female) Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Broadhead Skink (hatchling) Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Six-lined Racerunner - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Big Mike's!! by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Rat Snake - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Clinton @ Kentucky State Fair Expo @ Looville by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Visitor's Center at MCNP by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Jerry Bransford - 5th generation tour guide @ Mammoth Cave National Park by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Rainbow over Hardin Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Exploring creekside with Nico, Tim, Tyler, Clint by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Jessica @ campsite - Kentucky Lake by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Campfire smoke & drink by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
'Snake Road' rock facing by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Tim Johnson by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Evan Brown by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Clinton & Tim fending off a huge snake by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Union Co. IL by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Kentuckians on 'Snake Road' by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Yellowbelly Water - Union Co. IL by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Richard by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Timber Rattlesnake - Union Co. IL by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Clinton Cunningham by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
That little gravel road.... by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Thanks for taking this little trip with me. Good luck and Be safe in 2015!!
Dave
Midland Water - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Midland Water - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Midland Water - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Atomic Possum Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Tim Johnson @ Reelfoot Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
North Reelfoot - Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
W. Ribbon Snake (gravid female) Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
E. Ribbon Snake (male) Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Midland Brown Snake - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
SE. Crowned Snake (male) Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
W. Mud Snake - Fulton Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
W. Mud Snake - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Marsh - Henderson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
'Dead tree Slough' Henderson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Jessica Frymire & female W. Mud Snake from north Reelfoot by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
'Firebelly' N. Copperbelly Water (male) Henderson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
N. Copperbelly Water (female) Henderson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Prairie King - Hardin Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Red Milk - Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Scarlet King - Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
King (Speckled X Black) Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
W. Smooth Earth Snake (female) Hardin Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Corn Snake - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Rat Snake - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Midland Water - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - gravel stream habitat - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
N. Copperhead - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Timber Rattlesnake - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Timber Rattlesnake - Lyon Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Timber Rattlesnake (blue) Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Five-lined Skink - Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
E. Fence Lizard (gravid female) Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Five-lined Skink (turning & brooding her eggs) Trigg Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Jessica & Slender Glass Lizard - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Broadhead Skink (big female) Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Broadhead Skink (hatchling) Graves Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Six-lined Racerunner - Calloway Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Big Mike's!! by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Rat Snake - Edmonson Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Clinton @ Kentucky State Fair Expo @ Looville by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Visitor's Center at MCNP by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Jerry Bransford - 5th generation tour guide @ Mammoth Cave National Park by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Rainbow over Hardin Co. KY by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Exploring creekside with Nico, Tim, Tyler, Clint by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Jessica @ campsite - Kentucky Lake by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Untitled by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Campfire smoke & drink by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
'Snake Road' rock facing by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Tim Johnson by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Evan Brown by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Clinton & Tim fending off a huge snake by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - Union Co. IL by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Kentuckians on 'Snake Road' by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Yellowbelly Water - Union Co. IL by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Richard by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Timber Rattlesnake - Union Co. IL by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Clinton Cunningham by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
That little gravel road.... by Dave F. Frymire, on Flickr
Thanks for taking this little trip with me. Good luck and Be safe in 2015!!
Dave
- IllinoisGuy
- Posts: 55
- Joined: June 14th, 2013, 2:17 pm
- Location: St. Louis
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Great post, I love that huge glass lizard!
- Berkeley Boone
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- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Great photos, Dave. I really like all the midland waters, and the female skink with the egg in her mouth.
Those muds were pretty sweet too. Thanks for taking us along with you!
--Berkeley
Those muds were pretty sweet too. Thanks for taking us along with you!
--Berkeley
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Sweet post, I loved the Midlands, Prairie King, cool Milks, and skinks brooding, the Glass lizard was a monster. Do you have a headshot? I've been told large males have a different pattern on top of their head that breaks up as they grow.
Justin Michels
Justin Michels
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Thanks guys for taking the time to comment. Sorry I did not provide much of a 'narrative' to either post.
IllinoisGuy - Yes indeed. I can never get enough of those things. We have found several really big ones the last few years around old field/cedar edges.
Justin - That particular lizard was indeed a male. I am not sure about the 'head pattern' per say as a sexually dimorphic character here, but what I can tell you is that overall (from my observations at least) is that males are typically more marked over all than females, and often have the transbars running longitudinal.
Berkeley - I second the 'Midlands'. For such a common snake, they show so much beauty within that variation of color and even pattern. This is often quite regional here.
Rock ON!
Dave
IllinoisGuy - Yes indeed. I can never get enough of those things. We have found several really big ones the last few years around old field/cedar edges.
Justin - That particular lizard was indeed a male. I am not sure about the 'head pattern' per say as a sexually dimorphic character here, but what I can tell you is that overall (from my observations at least) is that males are typically more marked over all than females, and often have the transbars running longitudinal.
Berkeley - I second the 'Midlands'. For such a common snake, they show so much beauty within that variation of color and even pattern. This is often quite regional here.
Rock ON!
Dave
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
I have to agree with the other guys- that glass lizard is ENORMOUS! They grow 'em big in Kentucky, the ones I have seen in Kansas are 18 to 20 inches at most.
Loved the mud snake, the scarlet, and of course the various timbers. The water snakes there seem to be quite attractive. I usually think of Nerodia as fairly unattractive snakes, but those midlands are lookers for sure.
Andrew
Loved the mud snake, the scarlet, and of course the various timbers. The water snakes there seem to be quite attractive. I usually think of Nerodia as fairly unattractive snakes, but those midlands are lookers for sure.
Andrew
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Dave,
Beautiful post! I'm also a midland watersnake fan from over here in Georgia! I love their color variation. We have some over here that can be Blood Red! You had some great finds up there in KY! Thanks for sharing.
Cary
Beautiful post! I'm also a midland watersnake fan from over here in Georgia! I love their color variation. We have some over here that can be Blood Red! You had some great finds up there in KY! Thanks for sharing.
Cary
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
awesome post Dave!
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Dang that glass lizard was huge; I didn't know they got that big! God was feeding that thing steroids!
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Great photos with some beautiful herps. Those midland waters look fantastic, nothing like the northerns seen around here.
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Thanks Andrew G., Barry R., garry, Eric East and cherper - and taking the time to look around on my post.
Cary - I'd love to see any of those pics if you would show them. They really are some pretty critters.
Rock ON!
Dave
Cary - I'd love to see any of those pics if you would show them. They really are some pretty critters.
Rock ON!
Dave
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
I loved this post!
I did not know glass lizards got so big! Also did not know dillos were in KY.
My favorite shot is the moc with only head and tail appearing out of the murky water.
The skinks-with-eggs shots are so cool. Also the water snakes and the enormous mud.
Looks like you & Jessica had a blast!
I did not know glass lizards got so big! Also did not know dillos were in KY.
My favorite shot is the moc with only head and tail appearing out of the murky water.
The skinks-with-eggs shots are so cool. Also the water snakes and the enormous mud.
Looks like you & Jessica had a blast!
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Yes.... that is a great post and like everyone else I was blown away by the big glass lizard.
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Tamara - Thank you so much for taking time to look. Yes the dillos started showing up here in the mid 1980's and have continued to migrate east across the state. There are more than 40 county records for them up here now. Yes that cotton shot is one of my favs as well. See ya on Flickr, girl!
sjohn - Thanks! THey can get some size on them. I find the big ones under cover. And the smaller ones I seem to encounter when they are moving around. They are surely cool critterz no doubt.
Rock ON!
Dave
sjohn - Thanks! THey can get some size on them. I find the big ones under cover. And the smaller ones I seem to encounter when they are moving around. They are surely cool critterz no doubt.
Rock ON!
Dave
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Super post and love those mud snakes! Agree w that glass lizard, very cool! I got down into DBNF last spring and can't wait to get back there this spring. KY has a ton of diversity and you captured quite a bit of it for sure!
Your "partner in crime" looks like she really digs it. I have two of those (now 13 and 15) and they still love getting out w me looking or herps or deer/turkey hunting, etc. Would be a cool thread ... "your herping helpers" or something to that effect! Thanks for posting.
Your "partner in crime" looks like she really digs it. I have two of those (now 13 and 15) and they still love getting out w me looking or herps or deer/turkey hunting, etc. Would be a cool thread ... "your herping helpers" or something to that effect! Thanks for posting.
- walk-about
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
pjfishpa - Thank you for the comments. Yes you are right about the thread idea of parent's and their children/herpers. That would be a good one for sure. I am going to hit the RRG/DBNF area this spring as well. It has been many years since I 'herped' there. So I am very excited about this upcoming trip. Thanks again for the comments.
Dave
Dave
- Carl Brune
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Nice post. In addition to herps, lots of nice people pics. I guess I am not surprised to hear armadillos are in KY -- makes me wonder if they will make to OH....?
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Very enjoyable post - lots of great photos! And it is fantastic you are getting your daughter out to herp.
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
mfb - Thanks for the comments. My daughter I think has influenced me as much as anyone and getting to spend any time in the outdoors with her is the best!
Carl - I would speculate that based upon the dillo's movements across KY and the proximity to the Ohio River in southern OH, that they would indeed be there by now.
Rock ON!
Dave
Carl - I would speculate that based upon the dillo's movements across KY and the proximity to the Ohio River in southern OH, that they would indeed be there by now.
Rock ON!
Dave
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Male eastern glass lizards have a different pattern than females as they age. Pictured was a ginormous eastern slender glass lizard (I think), and I don't know about age/sex differences in them.
Overall a great post. I loved that glass lizard.
Overall a great post. I loved that glass lizard.
- walk-about
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Captainjack0000 - Thank you very much for the kind comments. Yes, it was an E.Slender GLass and a very large male for sure. I have seen some nice size females over the years as well, but overall males larger.
Rock ON!
Dave
Rock ON!
Dave
- Nigel Smith
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- Location: Lexington Kentucky
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Killer post Dave! I was smiling the whole time I looked at it. Loved all of those nerodia. Especially the first one. I also really enjoyed the habitat shots. That slender glass lizard looks incredible! Congrats!
I had high hopes coming into this thread. You didn't disappoint.
I had high hopes coming into this thread. You didn't disappoint.
Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Awesome post! Love that glass lizard, as everyone else has said. Good variety of animals. Makes me miss kentucky.
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Mitchyboy - Thanks so much. Never been to OK, but I have always wanted to see it and maybe that little place just south of there too. LoL
Nigel - Thanks for the kind words; and I am proud to put a big smile on your face. We have got to hit it again this year. I will be coming your way this spring, so lets make it happen.
Rock ON!
Dave
Nigel - Thanks for the kind words; and I am proud to put a big smile on your face. We have got to hit it again this year. I will be coming your way this spring, so lets make it happen.
Rock ON!
Dave
- Nigel Smith
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Hell yeah Dave. Just give me a heads up.
- ahockenberry
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
A+++
Amazing gallery of superb images - great work
Thanks for sharing !
Amazing gallery of superb images - great work
Thanks for sharing !
- walk-about
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Re: Kentucky and the Little Gravel Road in Illinois 2014...
Ashley - Thank you sir for the kind words.
Nigel - I am thinking early April. I will let you know.
Dave
Nigel - I am thinking early April. I will let you know.
Dave