This year, I enjoyed many wonderful sights and experiences. The weather was less cooperative than what seemed normal, nevertheless many great snakes made appearances. My main targets, as usual, were Lampropeltis (specifically, gray-banded kingsnakes and milk snakes), and vipers (Crotalus and Vipera).
I began seriously herping around late February and began finding a few fossorial snakes and lizards. I was not as successful flipping herps this year as I was in 2017 (mostly because of the drier spring conditions), but I did manage to find a few neat skinks and snakes in several parts of west Texas.
Lined Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Many-lined Skink by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Short-lined Skink by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Ring-necked Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Collared Lizard by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Coachwhip by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Ring-Necked Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Little Brown Skink by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Desert Massasauga by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
New Mexico Milksnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
At the end of April/beginning of May, my focus switched from massasaugas and milk snakes to gray-banded kingsnakes. The first two weekends of hunting cuts were largely unproductive, but at the beginning of May, I began seeing more movement. During the first weekend of May, I chose to hunt one of my favorite rock cuts in the eastern part of west Texas. A large thunderstorm approached early in the night, making me anticipate orange and gray. After several passes of the rock cut, I saw the familiar sight of an alterna crawling along the rock face. It was a beautiful animal, to say the least. I saw a few other common snakes that weekend.
Western Coachwhip by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
In situ
Gray-banded Kingsnake (In situ) by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Texas Night Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Immediately following the weekend with an alterna, I departed for Croatia to visit my wife. The early part of the trip was dedicated to personal matters, but I did get some herping in when possible. While in Croatia, my main targets are always Vipera, and I was fortunate to find a large and beautiful male nose-horned viper basking during the morning. A few other nice animals were seen during my stay in Europe.
European Frog by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Sand Lizard by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Grass Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
European Green Lizard by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Grass Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Dice Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Nose-horned Viper by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Nose-horned Viper by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Once I returned from Europe back to the US, my normal west Texas herping excursions resumed. During June, I was not able to find any live Lampropeltis (except for an alterna within a rock crevice that would never surface), but I did find plenty of other beautiful animals. A few friends joined in during these weekend adventures, which were (for the most part) successful outings.
Trans-Pecos Rat Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Long-Nosed Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Trans-Pecos Rat Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Striped Whipsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Coachwhip by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Texas Horned Lizard by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Desert Box Turtle by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Ornate Black-tailed Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Prairie Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Desert Massasauga by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Ring-necked Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
July proved to be a mixed bag as far as weather conditions and herping success. The first part of July was plentiful with storms and not coincidentally, snake activity. I was able to find two gray-banded kingsnakes (both on rainy days) and observe a Trans-Pecos copperhead high up on a tree. The latter part of July was very hot and rather dry, which led to a massive decline in snake movement. I was accompanied by a good friend, unfortunately during the latter part of July. Nevertheless, outings (high in snake numbers or not) were enjoyable (much more than simply staying at home).
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Wood's Jewel Scarab by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Glorious Green Scarab by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Baird's Rat Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Trans-Pecos Copperhead by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Trans-Pecos Copperhead by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Prarie Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Texas Night Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
August was a fantastic herping month, heavy with storms and a wonderful array of herp species. During August, rather than herp every single weekend as I normally do, I condensed all my herping activity into a 10-day trip. I still herped near home after the 10-day trip, but longer-distance road trips were left exclusively for the week-long road trip. The trip began on a rainy/cool evening in the Davis Mountains. It was raining hard throughout the mountain range it seemed. Luckily, I was able to locate a relatively dry-road cut. In that area, the rain was falling, but reduced to a steady drizzle, unlike everywhere else in the Davis Mountains. It didn't take long to start finding snakes as rock rattlers and black-tailed rattlesnakes made appearances early into my night. Around 10:30pm, I spotted a dark serpentine figure about 20-25 feet up the rock cut. Luckily, that stretch of cut was not very vertical so it was easy to climb. The snake turned out to be my first gray-banded kingsnake of the long road trip. An exceptional way to begin. During the next few days, I was able to find a few more snakes, including two more gray-banded kingsnakes, the third alterna of which was on my final night; an epic way to end the road trip.
Mojave Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Ornate Black-tailed Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Ornate Black-Tailed Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Trans-Pecos Rat Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gray-Banded Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
September and October were decent months for herping, but I was not able to get out for many consecutive days because of work. My wife joined in on a few trips, one of which was loaded with snake activity. My hunts during these two months, were mixed with west Texas and New Mexico outings.
Prairie Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Hubbard's Small Silkmoth by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Desert Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Black-Necked Garter Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Hognose Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Hognose Snake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Texas Horned Lizard by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Coachwhip by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Texas Horned Lizard by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Prairie Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Desert Kingsnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Sacramento Mountains Salamander by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Greater Short-Horned Lizard by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Greater Short-horned Lizard by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Hognose by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Western Hognose by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Mojave Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Mojave Rattlesnake by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
In summary, 2018 was a great year of herping and am happy to have met a few new people and herped with known friends. Despite my sincerest efforts of finding a cool and rare Lampropeltis (milk snake or alterna) while herping with friends and family, I was unsuccessful. All of the rare Lampros were found while I was alone (actually with my dogs). Eventually, I'm sure it will happen. Finding rare and target species is a fantastic experience to share with others (and a good way to pass the herping bug to those unfamiliar with our peculiar hobby).
Below, a few additional photos of places I was fortunate to see, and of my dogs, who are my constant companions on every herping trip. I hope you enjoyed the post!
Upward and onward.
Serenity by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Kalnik by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Pecos River by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
West Texas Storm by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Brady and Anubis by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Madera Starry Night by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
At the Creek by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
FM 2886 by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Summer Monsoon by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Limpia Canyon by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
The Road Ahead by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
El Paso Sunset by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Wild West by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
The Last Surge by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Fall in the Mountains by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
White Sands National Monument by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Dogs at White Sands by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
Gallery Forest by Frank Portillo, on Flickr
2018 EOY Recap
Moderator: Scott Waters
- csalemi731
- Posts: 23
- Joined: July 24th, 2015, 9:48 am
- Location: New York
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
amazing photos! love the skies in the background and the gray bands
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Thank you, I appreciate it.csalemi731 wrote:amazing photos! love the skies in the background and the gray bands
- Fieldherper
- Posts: 252
- Joined: June 11th, 2010, 10:46 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Too much awesomeness. Sensory overload.
FH
FH
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Thank you!Fieldherper wrote:Too much awesomeness. Sensory overload.
FH
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Really great post, Frank. I always look forward to your posts. Some of the best photos out there in my opinion. I’m hoping to make a trip out to West Texas this coming year. Maybe we’ll run into each other haha.
Rye
Rye
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Thanks, Rye. I'm glad you enjoyed my post and photos. Hopefully, you have a summary as well as I am a fan of your work.Rancorrye wrote:Really great post, Frank. I always look forward to your posts. Some of the best photos out there in my opinion. I’m hoping to make a trip out to West Texas this coming year. Maybe we’ll run into each other haha.
Rye
If you do come to west Texas next year and want to meet up, let me know.
Frank
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Amazing as always.
Thanks for taking the time to put it together again this year, Frank.
...really hope to make it bakc to west TX some time...
Thanks for taking the time to put it together again this year, Frank.
...really hope to make it bakc to west TX some time...
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Thank you!krismunk wrote:Amazing as always.
Thanks for taking the time to put it together again this year, Frank.
...really hope to make it bakc to west TX some time...
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Awesome post and beautiful photography I like the up close profile shots the most!
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Fantastic photos, Frank. You've got some real gems in here. I can't help but be envious of all the time you get to spend out in my favorite part of the state!
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
I have always enjoyed your photos! Been following you for as long as I can remember. You really raise the bar high with your photography!
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.Porter wrote:Awesome post and beautiful photography I like the up close profile shots the most!
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
: Thanks man!Soopaman wrote:Fantastic photos, Frank. You've got some real gems in here. I can't help but be envious of all the time you get to spend out in my favorite part of the state!
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
: Thank you! I really appreciate it.frodaman wrote:I have always enjoyed your photos! Been following you for as long as I can remember. You really raise the bar high with your photography!
- nightdriver
- Posts: 427
- Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:34 pm
- Location: Los Angeles County
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Wow! You had a pretty good year. My year pretty much sucked
- John Martin
- Posts: 515
- Joined: June 9th, 2010, 10:57 pm
- Location: North end of Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
OMG, that alterna with the thin red crossbands and some triple alternates is a stunner! I also love your nighttime shots with the sky and stars in the background. I really miss my annual 2 week West Texas trips back in the '70s/'80s. Awesome photography Frank, thanks for the trip.
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Thank younightdriver wrote: ↑January 13th, 2019, 11:27 am Wow! You had a pretty good year. My year pretty much sucked
- achillesbeast
- Posts: 46
- Joined: July 15th, 2012, 9:52 am
Re: 2018 EOY Recap
Thanks a bunch! West Texas will always be special to me. I'm glad you enjoyed the post.John Martin wrote: ↑January 26th, 2019, 4:09 pm OMG, that alterna with the thin red crossbands and some triple alternates is a stunner! I also love your nighttime shots with the sky and stars in the background. I really miss my annual 2 week West Texas trips back in the '70s/'80s. Awesome photography Frank, thanks for the trip.