Two weeks ago I had an opportunity to visit one of my favorite herping areas, and conditions were perfect. I decided to look for a particular snake that had always managed to elude my efforts in the field. Doing some rough math I know that I've personally put in a good 30+ field hours looking for them under good conditions, and combining that with friends who have accompanied me the man-hours are well over 45. And that's just at one locale with a very good population. Possibly a bit atypical in good habitat, but nonetheless a long time coming!
I did a quick drive through the area just to see if anything had changed in the last five years. Nothing to the naked eye. I parked at a spot where the snakes seemed to be more common than average based on roadcruising finds, and hit the woods with my cell phone. My mobility was a bit limited due to a double-whammy sprain (knee and ankle). I didn't want to aggravate matters too much, but still, it's a rare opportunity for me.
Habitat is post oak savannah with lots of water nearby:
I don't think I was even five minutes into the field and hello:
Perfect. I'll never forget that find. I snapped a couple of more photos and we parted ways.
I looked around for about ten more minutes and called it a day......hard to beat that.
Shane
And the curse was lifted
Moderator: Scott Waters
- chris_mcmartin
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Re: And the curse was lifted
Congratulations!
Re: And the curse was lifted
Nice job!
I was out in, I'm guessing, the same area a couple of weeks ago as well and didn't quite have the same luck. I'll be up there again this coming week.
I was out in, I'm guessing, the same area a couple of weeks ago as well and didn't quite have the same luck. I'll be up there again this coming week.
Re: And the curse was lifted
Congratulations, Shane! Was that by any chance in one of those areas where they are known historically but few if any have been seen in the past few decades?
Re: And the curse was lifted
Congrats.
I went out with some researchers a few years back who worked on pygs in Florida. One of the things I learned from being in the field with them is that pygs are a lot more common than they appear to be and are incredibly easy to overlook. There are probably a few more in than first photo....somewhere.
I went out with some researchers a few years back who worked on pygs in Florida. One of the things I learned from being in the field with them is that pygs are a lot more common than they appear to be and are incredibly easy to overlook. There are probably a few more in than first photo....somewhere.
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Re: And the curse was lifted
Congrats Shane. That's a great way to find a hard earned target. I believe that same snake is at the top of my list for hours spent specifically targeting them with no success. Even at their most famous (or infamous) Texas locale. Maybe a tie with vernalis.
Great photos as well. Also some neat plants in there!
Great photos as well. Also some neat plants in there!
Re: And the curse was lifted
I was pleasantly surprised to field herp one myself today! It was certainly a lot of work getting there.