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Snake Road & Southern Illinois October 2-6

T

tspuckler

New member
The weather was all over the place, but that didn't stop many Western Cottonmouths from being out and about.
01cotton009_zps5d79613a.jpg


Say "cheese."
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Cave Salamander
05cave044_zpsb5ac3d55.jpg


The only nonvenomous Water Snake I saw on this trip - a Yellowbelly.
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A very dark Leopard Frog.
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Periodical Cicada.
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Swampy habitat.
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Colorful Cricket Frog.
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On rainy nights, American Toads were a common sight.
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Fowler's Toad.
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A young Western Cottonmouth.
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Bess Beetle pupa.
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Slimy Salamander.
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Monarch on White Snakeroot.
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On of two Western Ribbon Snakes that I saw on Snake Road.
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Young Green Frog.
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Mole Salamander.
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A scene from Giant City State Park.
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Adult Racer - a young one was seen as well.
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Brown Cricket Frog.
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I found my first-ever Smooth Earth Snakes on the outing.
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Several Green Treefrogs were observed.
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Female Marbled Salamander.
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Spotted Salamander.
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Sleepy Green Treefrog.
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A couple of small Ringneck Snakes turned up.
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Eastern Newts were easy to find on rainy nights crossing roads.
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Sleepy Eastern Fence Lizard seen near railroad tracks.
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Longtail Salamanders were seen crossing the road at night as well - this one was found in the daytime.
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One of two Eastern Box Turtles encountered.
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Before I knew it, the trip had come to a close.
last005_zpsf7b7b122.jpg
 
So jealous the herping around here the past few years has left a lot to be desired. There's just not that many species and encounters are so few and far between. It makes me sad and makes me worry for the state of the ecosystem around here.
 
I really enjoyed these amazing photos. I have only seen cotton mouths. Usually as I am running away. Just beautiful and incredible. Thanks so much for posting them.
 
How do you mesmerize those animals into holding still for those great shots?
 
So lucky!! We saw your pics on Facebook, and tried to make a last minute trip the following weekend, but couldn't find lodging to our liking, and the weather was predicted to be terrible, so we scrapped the idea. But next spring- for sure!! Maybe a little later in the season than this year.
 
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