Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

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snake_girl85
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Joined: August 24th, 2010, 1:34 pm
Location: Central IL

Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by snake_girl85 »

I enjoy lurking around FHF, but usually don't have anything worthwhile to post. I've only gotten into semi-serious field herping over the last couple years, and can't get enough of it!

I found my first snake of the year this afternoon, and it's the last one I would have expected. I flipped a young Kirtland's snake on a rocky bank near a dam in McLean Co. It's a highly fished area, and not the greatest habitat, so I was very surprised to find this little guy.

Sorry for the horrendous pictures, I would give my left kidney for a DSLR, or even a better Point and Shoot. These were taken with a Nikon P80 with major issues, and as a result, focusing on close subjects can be a challenge. I wish I could have gotten better pictures of this snake, and I'm kicking myself for not taking more, but I figure the crappy pictures are still worth sharing!

Image

Image

Image

Blurry belly shot
Image

Thanks for looking!

-Katie H.
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Mike Pingleton
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Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by Mike Pingleton »

Nice find, Katie! Kirtland's seem to have adapted to those rocky dam environments.

-Mike
matt ignoffo
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Joined: June 12th, 2010, 1:49 pm
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Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by matt ignoffo »

Now that is cool!

Think it's been a while since they have been documented in that county.
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Chris Smith
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Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by Chris Smith »

Nice find and thanks for sharing! Check out the herp database at http://www.naherp.com. This would be a great record to enter.

Cheers,
-Chris
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Tim Borski
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Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by Tim Borski »

Huh?!
All my shots look like that...and my subjects aren't nearly as interesting. :cry:
Congrats on a great find!!
Tim
corey.raimond
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Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by corey.raimond »

Excellent find! Nothing wrong with the photos either. Keep posting :thumb:

-Corey
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justinm
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Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by justinm »

This is one of those snakes that I can never seem to find when in their range, and I really want to see. Great find, and the pics aren't that bad don't be so hard on yourself. I was intimidated ever so long ago, by the great pics here. Just put up what you're seeing, they don't have to be magazine quality.
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Salzy
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Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by Salzy »

That is a really cool find! That's a cool way to start of the herping season. :) Kirtland's are such beautiful snakes.
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Andy Avram
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Location: NE Ohio

Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by Andy Avram »

The Kirtland's Snake. My current white whale.

Nice find!
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Mike Pingleton
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Re: Beginner's Luck - IL Kirtland's

Post by Mike Pingleton »

Just don't harpoon it when you find one, Cap'n Andy :)

I went looking for them on Sunday but got Brown Snakes and AmToads instead.
-Mike
Andy Avram wrote:The Kirtland's Snake. My current white whale.

Nice find!
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