Pics of recent trip, including some herping

[desertanimal]

We took a driving trip through NM, CO, UT, and back to AZ two weeks ago. I'm finally getting around to sharing some pics. There was some accidental herping as well. Other than the lizards that live around the house, it's the first I've done for a while.

1) camping just outside Santa Fe
2-4) fortuitous road find and catch
5) I had to take him to the kid of the friend I was going to see about 10 miles away, and he decided to ride in Kristi's bag.

 

[desertanimal]

con't.

1-3) He was really wiggly and hissing a lot, so I kind of let him go where he wanted. He never bit me though. Pretty nice guy all in all. He had several nasty scars. My best guess was maybe farm machinery or a lawnmower.
4) Kristi on some rocks in Estes Park, CO
5) A garter snake in Estes Park. Those garter snakes are hefty in cold locales! Good old Allen and Bergman!

 

[desertanimal]

1) A tree and rock I really liked.
2) Same tree, same rock.
3) A garter-snake laden trail.

 

[desertanimal]

cont.

1) snowshoeing with Kristi's cousin in Frisco, CO.
2) apparently it's best to stay on "the trail." (what do I know, I'm an easterner!) when you fall in in jeans and a t-shirt, it's cold! but also funny, so worth it for all concerned.
3) digging out cousin Mike's snowshoe so that I am allowed to sleep in the house.
4) Victory! The snow bowl.

 

[Piper]

Great pictures!! Snowshoeing in jeans n' a t-shirt, lol!! Too funny Nice snake finds in a beautiful area.

 

[Plissken]

Looks like you had a good trip! Beautiful snakes you found there

 

[Slippery Ernie]

Now I feel inspired to go on a road trip.

How come you didn't flip that rock by the tree? :shrugs:

 

[desertanimal]

Well, normally I would've, but I live at only about 1000 feet and the CO altitude was getting to me. I had to take it easy.

 

[Harleybabe]

Very nice photos! That first snake looks somewhat like a gopher snake. Looks like you and your friend had fun on your trip! I'm ready for camping season!

 

[MegF.]

Did you return the snake from where it came from or did you leave it with the kid?

 

[caramia12]

wow...it looks great out there...you don't see stuff like that in NYC...

 

[desertanimal]

Did you return the snake from where it came from or did you leave it with the kid?

Sorry for the tardy reply; I was camping again this weekend.

I didn't leave the snake with the kid, but let it go near a creek by their house. There were lots fewer cars and farm machines near their house than where I found him.

 

[cassandra]

Great pictures! I love the last one - big cheesy happy grins! =D