Hi,

Yesterday I did some herping without a camera. Came across some Nerodia and a dead Texas Rat Snake. It was dead in the water with no visible damage; I collected it and now it's in my freezer. Not sure what I'll do with it yet. Also found some nice cottonmouths in the morning; all in all, a pretty good day.

Today I went out again to a spot most of you SE Texas herpers will know. As far as snakes are concerned, the place seems dried up. In 5 hours of herping, I found four. It's a beautiful place for Americans Alligators though

At 8am I went to a spot where I knew there were copperheads. I'm embarrassed to say that I'd never seen a copperhead before, and even though I always actively look for them, I had yet to find one. **NOTE** I don't drive, so I can't go out to spots where I know I can find them. I only have a few places where I regularly go where copperheads were a possibility /**NOTE**

Anyway, 30 seconds on the trail gives me my first copperhead (and last one of the day...)!

Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix LIFER

In situ



Find it!











Find it again!



Also, a box turtle (someone help me on the species?) on the same trail.



Afterwards we come across a few nice American Alligators (Alligator mississipiensis. According to some people, if you give them a wide range you have SOME CHANCE of not getting attacked.









While hiking a different trail, I spot some Chickadee and Titmouse flying around a tree. Binoculars on there gives me a pretty good sized Texas Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri) chilling about 30ft up in a tree. No photos unfortunately.

Another trail gives us two Broad-Banded Water Snakes (Nerodia fasciata confluens)

First one



This second one gave me a run for my money!



Wait a minute... I don't need that hook!



This guy wiggled a little bit, resulting in me only grabbing his tail tip. When he twisted some more, it broke off! Anyone seen this happen before? I felt really bad about it...

Thanks for looking,
Matt