Knee deep in atratus

[Zach_Lim]

For full post with other finds: Field Herp Forum • View topic - Knee deep in Thamnophis atratus (http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15701)

Looked for T.atratus atratus and "Flame" Coast Garters this weekend in San Mateo County, CA.

Did very well.

Scanning the edge of the water, a bright flash of orange caught my eye.

"Flame-phase" Coast Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans terrestris), San Mateo County, CA
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013052_zps89053248.jpg

Posed

http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013090_zps64b719fa.jpg

Now for the highlight of today.

My favorite local Thamnophis species is T.atratus atratus, the Santa Cruz Gartersnake. Something about them makes them strikes me as very attractive and alluring, even more so than an SFGS.

I guess I came to the right spot today. The place was CRAWLING with huge SC Garters garthering in huge numbers amongst the reeds and chaparral. I believe that these snakes were breeding? Countless snakes ignored our presence and beelined it directly to the reeds where they chased around others. I can not describe the sight!

Some were even crossing directly in front of our feet, so I was able to secure one (quickly) for some quick pics.

http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013064_zpse61d13ae.jpg
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013065_zps19e21b65.jpg

http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013084_zpsd59e5642.jpg


What a great day! Just seeing the sheer amounts of garters in one area was a thrill. Top 10 favorite herping moments for sure!

http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013053_zpsa7f5431a.jpg

[Zach_Lim]

Additional pictures:

http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013093_zpsa1f8d358.jpg
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013107_zps30281e8b.jpg
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013087_zpsa8623e73.jpg
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013072_zps8c1c25f7.jpg
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013046_zps5d69d730.jpg
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u575/zacharge/herping2013035_zpsd7f1f2da.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Awesome herping. T. a. atratus (Santa Cruz garter snake) are awesome. I hope to have them as steady residents at the Ranch someday.
Great thread.

[rickymar81]

Thats is some great herping:D I will be doing some herping soon at Silverwood Lake in SoCal looking for two striped garters Thamnophis hammondii.

[Invisible Snake]

Please disregard, double post.

[Invisible Snake]

You guys on the West coast are so lucky, the weather here in the Northeast is still cold >.>

[d_virginiana]

You guys on the West coast are so lucky, the weather here in the Northeast is still cold >.>

Agreed. It's not too cold for the snakes to be out around here, but it's too cold for me to want to go out and find them.

[Jeff B]

Nice day of field herping there.

[rickymar81]

You guys on the West coast are so lucky, the weather here in the Northeast is still cold >.>

It's pretty cold tonight in cali especially where I'm at...