First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

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cherper
Posts: 173
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:14 am
Location: CSRA Georgia

First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by cherper »

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
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Coastal Rosy Boa #2 found under AC
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Four rubers found but only two photographed
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Also found...

Coastal Ring-neck snake
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California Legless Lizard
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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
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Southern Copperhead
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Canebrake Rattlesnake
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In fact, all four local vipers were found AOR while road cruizing various local roads.
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Rough Green Snake
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Queen Snake
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Brown Watersnake
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Midland Watersnakes
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A lifer for me in recent days! Carolina Black Swamp Snake.
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Eastern Garter Snake-found this on my front door step.
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Eastern Kingsnake
This one was the only snake found on a wet/rainy weekend trip to the South Carolina coast.
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Another found closer to home in Georgia.
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Rat snakes were a common sight this Spring
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One of the more common snakes found at night the last two years now. Norhern Scarlet Snake.
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Eastern Hognose Snake
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I look forward to seeing more of these as Autumn approaches. Southern Hognose Snake.
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Probably my favorite of all Eastern Snakes- Southern Pine Snake.
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...and a variety of non-snake wildlife.

Five Lined Skink (male)
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Eastern Box Turtle
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Common Snapping Turtle
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American Beaver
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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
TimCO
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Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:27 am
Location: Colorado

Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by TimCO »

I always enjoy your pics Cary. See you soon.
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Berkeley Boone
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Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by Berkeley Boone »

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
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Nigel Smith
Posts: 268
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 10:52 am
Location: Lexington Kentucky

Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by Nigel Smith »

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. :lol:

Oh and have you been or are you coming up to chattanooga this season. I remember you saying your folks are here.

Nigel
BradB
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Joined: June 9th, 2010, 4:10 pm

Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by BradB »

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?
cherper
Posts: 173
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:14 am
Location: CSRA Georgia

Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by cherper »

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.
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Mmmmmm....simus. Beautiful animals all over.
cherper
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Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:14 am
Location: CSRA Georgia

Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by cherper »

Yep, simus in the fall, Josh! Come on up! Good to see you this past March.

Cary
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Daniel D Dye
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Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Excellent photos, Cary! I hope the second half of 2011 is as good as your first.

Daniel
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by Josh Holbrook »

cherper wrote:Yep, simus in the fall, Josh! Come on up! Good to see you this past March.

Cary
Hopefully I'll make it up. Planning on joining the SE Chapter trip to Bama?
cherper
Posts: 173
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:14 am
Location: CSRA Georgia

Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by cherper »

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.
Taylor Henry
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Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:28 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by Taylor Henry »

Congrats on finding what you wanted in SoCal :thumb: I really liked your first shot of the eastern cottonmouth. The swamp snake is a beauty too. Great post!

Taylor Henry
cherper
Posts: 173
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:14 am
Location: CSRA Georgia

Re: First Half of 2011 in East Central Georgia

Post by cherper »

Thanks, Taylor! Much appreciated!
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