With the end of June comes a great time to reflect on the first half of this year and some of the great memories that it brought. I was able to make a few herp trips this year highlighted by my second trip in as many years to the Phoenix, AZ area for sales meetings. This year I decided that my best bet in February was to leave AZ and head over to Southern Cal and meet up with my good friend, Mike Pecora. Mike assured me that February with the rains it brings was one of the best times to herp in SOCAL. I really wanted to find a ruber and, if lucky, a boa or two. Thanks to Mike, despite only spending two days hunting, we were successful with both!
Coastal Rosy Boa #1 found on the crawl
Coastal Rosy Boa #2 found under AC
Four rubers found but only two photographed
Also found...
Coastal Ring-neck snake
California Legless Lizard
Back home, the spring began early this year as temps stayed in the 70's most of February through March. Without much dialogue here are my finds for the spring so far.
Eastern Cottonmouth are most common in our area in the Spring
Southern Copperhead
Canebrake Rattlesnake
In fact, all four local vipers were found AOR while road cruizing various local roads.
Rough Green Snake
Queen Snake
Brown Watersnake
Midland Watersnakes
A lifer for me in recent days! Carolina Black Swamp Snake.
Eastern Garter Snake-found this on my front door step.
Eastern Kingsnake
This one was the only snake found on a wet/rainy weekend trip to the South Carolina coast.
Another found closer to home in Georgia.
Rat snakes were a common sight this Spring
One of the more common snakes found at night the last two years now. Norhern Scarlet Snake.
Eastern Hognose Snake
I look forward to seeing more of these as Autumn approaches. Southern Hognose Snake.
Probably my favorite of all Eastern Snakes- Southern Pine Snake.
...and a variety of non-snake wildlife.
Five Lined Skink (male)
Eastern Box Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
American Beaver
Thanks to all those who joined me in the field this spring (ie. Mike, Berkeley, Matt, Brad, Justin, Tim, Josh, Marisa, and Grady). I always appreciate your company.
Cary
First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
I always enjoy your pics Cary. See you soon.
- Berkeley Boone
- Posts: 878
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Tim took the words out of my mouth!
I really enjoyed that broadhead photo, Cary. And I would have had a great trip to California too, coming up with stuff like you pictured! That legless lizard would have done it for me!
Congrats on that Semi too, that is a really good one! Awesome!
--Berkeley
I really enjoyed that broadhead photo, Cary. And I would have had a great trip to California too, coming up with stuff like you pictured! That legless lizard would have done it for me!
Congrats on that Semi too, that is a really good one! Awesome!
--Berkeley
- Nigel Smith
- Posts: 268
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 10:52 am
- Location: Lexington Kentucky
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Man..I loved the rosies, the canebrakes, and that little eastern hognose. But that pinesnake made my night. Not enough of them being posted this year. Thanks for sharing. I love to see what other people are finding in the southeast. Speaking of which I guess it's time I do my spring post.
Oh and have you been or are you coming up to chattanooga this season. I remember you saying your folks are here.
Nigel
Oh and have you been or are you coming up to chattanooga this season. I remember you saying your folks are here.
Nigel
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Cary, I still love that pine, it almost looks like its got a little Northern influence. Is that the simus from the day we decided to not follow you on the last pass? I wish we would have stuck around for that one. Have you come across any more pines since then?
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Thanks for the replies, guys!
Tim, come on down in the fall to the "fall line" for some good herping later this year! Or anytime. BTW, go Phightin Phils!
Berkeley, I actually found two of the legless lizards that day. I'm surprised I didn't come across any gophers or kingsnakes while out there. What a fun couple of days.
Nigel, I do plan on getting over to Chattanooga for Labor Day weekend. Are you around? PM me if so.
Brad, the simus was one and the same. Yes, I thought the pine had more Northern influence as well. It's hard to pin any of them as Northern or Florida in this intergrade zone so I just call them Southern Pines. That was the only one found this year, however.
Tim, come on down in the fall to the "fall line" for some good herping later this year! Or anytime. BTW, go Phightin Phils!
Berkeley, I actually found two of the legless lizards that day. I'm surprised I didn't come across any gophers or kingsnakes while out there. What a fun couple of days.
Nigel, I do plan on getting over to Chattanooga for Labor Day weekend. Are you around? PM me if so.
Brad, the simus was one and the same. Yes, I thought the pine had more Northern influence as well. It's hard to pin any of them as Northern or Florida in this intergrade zone so I just call them Southern Pines. That was the only one found this year, however.
- Josh Holbrook
- Posts: 2196
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:11 am
- Location: Western North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Mmmmmm....simus. Beautiful animals all over.
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Yep, simus in the fall, Josh! Come on up! Good to see you this past March.
Cary
Cary
- Daniel D Dye
- Posts: 1220
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:56 pm
- Location: New River (Brooker), Florida
- Contact:
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Excellent photos, Cary! I hope the second half of 2011 is as good as your first.
Daniel
Daniel
- Josh Holbrook
- Posts: 2196
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:11 am
- Location: Western North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Hopefully I'll make it up. Planning on joining the SE Chapter trip to Bama?cherper wrote:Yep, simus in the fall, Josh! Come on up! Good to see you this past March.
Cary
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Thanks, Dan! I'd like to get down your way sometime. I've heard a lot about your area and your hospitality. Feel free to look me up if your in this part of Georgia.
Josh, as awesome as the trip sounds it doesn't look good for my attending. I'll be in Chattanooga area for Labor Day but doubt if I'll have any other time off til Thanksgiving. I've hiked Cloudland Canyon a couple times. Pretty area! I'll be really interested in all the species you find.
Josh, as awesome as the trip sounds it doesn't look good for my attending. I'll be in Chattanooga area for Labor Day but doubt if I'll have any other time off til Thanksgiving. I've hiked Cloudland Canyon a couple times. Pretty area! I'll be really interested in all the species you find.
-
- Posts: 273
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:28 pm
- Location: Southern California
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Congrats on finding what you wanted in SoCal I really liked your first shot of the eastern cottonmouth. The swamp snake is a beauty too. Great post!
Taylor Henry
Taylor Henry
Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia
Thanks, Taylor! Much appreciated!