Another nice quick herping trip...

I went out to PRWMA this morning around 10 a.m. to squeeze a quick trip into a beautiful day. I got a call around 10:45 a.m. from my wife saying it was time to head out to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, so it ended up being a really short trip. However, it seems that I have good luck with short trips :)

Since a few guys on a field herping forum asked when I would be getting pictures of a Ringed Map Turtle(which are beautiful water turtles found ONLY in the Pearl River), I have been snapping pictures of every water turtle I see...ha ha. Today was a little better than usual; however, most usually hit the water at the sight of a person. I stopped at several of the bridge crossings on the main management area road to see if I could spot anything in any of the Pearl River's tributary canals.

First shot is of some sort of turtle.....unidentified, but probably a slider. Notice the large gar fish in the water too. Then there was a gator at another bridge crossing. This one was a bit larger than the one last week at about 6' or so.

http://www.southernherper.com/Photos...tleandgar1.jpg

http://www.southernherper.com/Photos...-08/gator3.jpg

At the last bridge stop, I spotted something in the grass on the edge of the road while walking BACK to my truck. It always amazes me how easily a person can walk right past a snake without even noticing it. I spotted the tail of this one first....and had to follow the tail up to the head. Nice camo job. It was great seeing a black racer.

http://www.southernherper.com/Photos...-08/racer2.jpg

http://www.southernherper.com/Photos...-08/racer4.jpg

Right after my wife called for me to head back to the house, I spotted this little one on the side of the road. I thought it was a juvi. box turtle from my truck, but quickly realized it was a Mississippi Mud turtle when I got up close. Great little turtle.

http://www.southernherper.com/Photos...-4-08/mud1.jpg

http://www.southernherper.com/Photos...-4-08/mud3.jpg

All in all a pretty good little trip. Hope you guys are not getting bored of me posting pictures yet....lots of good herping weather left this year ;)

Nice pics Daniel. :gj:

Dont think I'll ever get tired of your herping shots, Daniel!! Those are awesome! Can't believe you spotted that snake! What a beauty!

Thanks Christie and Judy.

Yep....I surprised myself with the snake....however, that is usually how it goes. I always wonder how many reptiles I walk past without knowing.

The turtle was a bit hard to spot too. Mud turtles are only about 4.5" long or so....hard to see even when driving under 20 mph.

You do WAY better than I ever could, but it gives me hope. I was painting outside today, and missed a 5 lined skink that I almost stepped on. It scared the daylights out of me, although it was cool once I was able to breathe again. lol. One of these days I'll get a pic of one them! grrrr.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tigerlily

You do WAY better than I ever could, but it gives me hope. I was painting outside today, and missed a 5 lined skink that I almost stepped on. It scared the daylights out of me, although it was cool once I was able to breathe again. lol. One of these days I'll get a pic of one them! grrrr.

---

Just carry your camera at all times like me...ha ha...even though that usually doesn't help with skinks since they are so shy.

Fivelined skinks are one of my favorites though....especially young fivelineds with the dark color, yellow striping and bright blue tail. Definately one of the prettiest reptiles in the Southeast.

Here is an adult Fivelined that I spotted last week:
http://odatria.com/SouthernHerper/Ph...-08/skink1.jpg

Great pics! Wish I lived a little farther south!!:(

Yup, I love those blue tails. They're just BEAUTIFUL and lightning fast! I think I might just have to skulk around my house with the camera, to see if I can catch one. (I wonder what my neighbors will think of the crazy lady with the camera walking around the house looking at the ground and mumbling to herself)

I didn't realize they lose that blue coloration though. I've never seen them without those striking colors. Tomorrow I'm going to try though, wish me luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tigerlily

I didn't realize they lose that blue coloration though. I've never seen them without those striking colors. Tomorrow I'm going to try though, wish me luck.

---

Yep...it kinda sucks that they lose the cool coloariton. They look very similar to broadheaded skinks when full grown.....just not as broadheaded...haha. I always like to see the ones 'in transition' between stages....neat stuff.

Good luck with the camera action......try not to creep out the neighbors too much **like me, creeping though the yard with a head lamp at midnight looking for toads and such**

Where would you suggest I look first. I will probably scour the area I saw the last one first, but any hints would be greatly appreciated!

(this is why I much prefer to stalk the birds that I lure to my house with feeders. Much easier to spot!! lol )