I love this sight...

Sometimes I think people forget how cool snakes really are. Anytime I see this when I am out in the field, my heart starts pounding.

http://odatria.com/Pictures/PRWMA%209-20-09/rat1.jpg

She did not disappoint either. Probably the most beautiful Texas ratsnake I have seen in this area. I could not stop taking pictures and she did not stop 'posing' for them. Fiesty snake :)

http://odatria.com/Pictures/PRWMA%209-20-09/rat2.jpg

http://odatria.com/Pictures/PRWMA%209-20-09/rat3.jpg

http://odatria.com/Pictures/PRWMA%209-20-09/rat4.jpg

I moved her off the road and she proceeded to climb up a tree just past the height that I could have possibly reached her. Smart snake :)

http://odatria.com/Pictures/PRWMA%209-20-09/rat5.jpg

http://odatria.com/Pictures/PRWMA%209-20-09/rat6.jpg

Nice morning out in Pearl River Wildlife Management Area... the one snake, a few turtles, an owl, tons of baby catfish, and a bunch of gators. I am excited to see some reptiles this time....the last two times out it has been just mammals and birds.

I haven't been having much luck. Lately I only see piscivorus, proximus, and Nerodia.

Later, Matt

It's even better that she didn't die upon crossing the road, like a lot of snakes you see today. I'm glad she posed for you also.

Thanks for sharing these. The third and last photos are top notch!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DutchHerp

I haven't been having much luck. Lately I only see piscivorus, proximus, and Nerodia.

---

I have been trying to get some good pictures of the Nerodia of the area. They are very shy around here. Most bask on logs or on the banks of water....and dive into the water as soon as they see you coming.

BUT what I really want is a good set of Farancia abacura photos. I have only seen one in my life and it was a large 5'-6' DOR specimen. The maximum reported length on those guys is around 80"!!!....I would trip out of I saw one that large on the move. Actually, seeing any of the two farancia from around here would make my year!!

I've never found a Farancia but I'm sure they're not that hard to find in the right habitat. You have to know what you're doing.

While cruising for western pygs just now, I only turned up a few copperheads... better luck next time.

Later, Matt

You and me both. I went out last thursday and walked the area I usually go road cruising. Only to find two copperheads. We have had lots lots lots of rain in the last two weeks. Pygmys should be breeding and moving aslong as it is not raining.

Matt,

I went out last sunday for pygmies because my friend found on the night before. There's 1.8mi of road that keeps producing... around 35 pygs in the last year, but that's the only place in that particular county! Only found coppers...

Later, Matt