Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
Schell
Posts: 456
Joined: June 9th, 2010, 9:33 am
Location: SF Bay Area
Contact:

Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by Schell »

I came across this animal today in the Angeles National Forest.

I'll admit that this is my first helleri, but was astonished at how pretty this snake was. These photos were taken in the AM with warm morning sun, but this big girl (about 42" long and thick in the bottom 1/3 - presumably gravid) had significant green in her with blue undertones. For my first helleri, I was certainly happy with this one:

In-situ:
Image

Posed:
Image

Uncharacteristically, for me, that is all.

Cheers,

Rob
RobertH
Posts: 1834
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:38 pm
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by RobertH »

That is one unusual looking helleri, good find and thanks for sharing :thumb:
User avatar
nightdriver
Posts: 427
Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:34 pm
Location: Los Angeles County

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by nightdriver »

Sweet lookin' crote :thumb:

Way lighter than the adults I usually see. Maybe it's a genetic aberation of some kind. anybody else see ones like this regularly? ever?

It looks like the tail is pretty orange. Similar to that black crote that's been posted before.

-nightdriver
User avatar
monklet
Posts: 2648
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:44 pm
Location: Ventura, CA
Contact:

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by monklet »

The most smokin' helleri I've ever seen hands down!!! :shock: :thumb: 8-)

Oh yeah, great pics!
hellihooks
Posts: 8025
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:12 am
Location: Hesperia, California.
Contact:

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by hellihooks »

Light Mt helli are few and far between... they are usually VERY dark... often appearing nearly pure black. I flipped this light colored neo at about 6000 ft, on the desert side below Wrightwood, this spring.
Image
Once in a great while you can find desert-clade helli in places like Lake LA, that are a very light green, to the point where they are confused with scutes..
User avatar
Snakeherper5
Posts: 102
Joined: August 15th, 2010, 3:40 pm
Location: Palm Springs, CA

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by Snakeherper5 »

Yessir Beautiful helleri indeeed! I love how versatile these snakes can be.

Here is a higher elevation helleri that looks similar to Jims. (~5000ft) Though I usually observe them growing out of these bold light patterns an get much darker as they mature.

Image

He had quite a large meal in him too.

Image


Not as nice as yours though! :beer:
User avatar
geckoguy747
Posts: 325
Joined: August 15th, 2010, 10:46 pm
Location: san bernardino mtns

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by geckoguy747 »

wow! i've never seen a helleri look anything like that. that is an awesome snake! and both shots are great as usual. i really dig that pose!
josh
User avatar
sauceman
Posts: 115
Joined: July 23rd, 2010, 7:00 pm

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by sauceman »

Spectacular shots of a gorgeous animal dood. Thanks for posting that, never seen one like it.
reako45
Posts: 542
Joined: June 12th, 2010, 9:38 am

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by reako45 »

Beautiful helleri. Never seen one even close to looking like that.

reako45
User avatar
Schell
Posts: 456
Joined: June 9th, 2010, 9:33 am
Location: SF Bay Area
Contact:

Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF

Post by Schell »

Thanks everyone. It's regrettable that these shots were taken in early morning light. The warmth of the light, really dilutes the green and blue hues this animal had. I've been looking for her again, but she seems to have moved on.
Post Reply