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:
Posed:
Uncharacteristically, for me, that is all.
Cheers,
Rob
Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
That is one unusual looking helleri, good find and thanks for sharing
- nightdriver
- Posts: 427
- Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:34 pm
- Location: Los Angeles County
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
Sweet lookin' crote
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
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
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
The most smokin' helleri I've ever seen hands down!!!
Oh yeah, great pics!
Oh yeah, great pics!
-
- Posts: 8025
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:12 am
- Location: Hesperia, California.
- Contact:
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
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.
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..
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..
- Snakeherper5
- Posts: 102
- Joined: August 15th, 2010, 3:40 pm
- Location: Palm Springs, CA
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
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.
He had quite a large meal in him too.
Not as nice as yours though!
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.
He had quite a large meal in him too.
Not as nice as yours though!
- geckoguy747
- Posts: 325
- Joined: August 15th, 2010, 10:46 pm
- Location: san bernardino mtns
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
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
josh
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
Spectacular shots of a gorgeous animal dood. Thanks for posting that, never seen one like it.
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
Beautiful helleri. Never seen one even close to looking like that.
reako45
reako45
Re: Just one mid-week critter from the ANF
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.