FANTASTIC herping trip!!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Well, I am officially back from my gartering trip in Potter County (its in PA). I have to say first off, that it was a truly wonderful expierience, and by FAR exceeded my expectations of a herping trip. In fact, it downright spoiled me rotten. My mission in going to the farm my grandparents live on this year was to find and photograph at least one of the pretty orange faced/sided garters that I had always found at least one of in years past. And to demonstrate to you all here at thamnophis that the sirtalis in this area are usually not striped. I specifically went with finding garter snakes in mind, anything besides them was icing on the huge chocolate cake of finds. The abundance of snakes in this place is simply overwhelming. And it makes me EXTREMELY happy to see such a huge thriving population of my favorite animal on the planet. me and my boyfriend had a blast.



Friday, we arrived at the farm at about 7. from about 7 until dark is primetime to find garters hiding under things, most of them are settled in for the night. So we did our first round on the farm... and well... found a TON of snakes. There are a TON of things to turn over, look in, move around, etc on the farm. So many that often I would forget some things and have to go back to them!! The hotspots proved to be a tire laying behind the garage, a sheet of plywood laying down over a gently sloped bank by the pond, and an over turned plastic truck bed in the field. The first night we caught at least 50 snakes. All garters and a few red bellies. I hung on to a good bit of them for a quick group photo in a bucket to show their diversity and lack of stripes.



Over the course of the weekend... as we continued to do our rounds and find more and more snakes... it got noticeably harder to find them... proving that every population has a limit and that they get wise to us! I am glad to say that one female very cleverly outsmarted me by diving into the weeds and at the last second, backtracking right over my foot back to an immovable rock. It was a smart move and she won! I told Eddie, lets leave her be, she has obviously just outwitted both of us!



The totals are as follows:

34 gravid females

about 50 juvenile garters and males

7 females that had already birthed

13 red bellied snakes

1 eastern milksnake

2 northern ring necks

1 adult ground skink



a bajillion million flies were killed by me on this trip.



and now.. what you all REALLY want. PICTURES!!!


This is garter snake poop. no lie. I grabbed four at once and look what happened!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/potter001.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/potter003.jpg

Now for the inverts!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/potter134.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/potter005.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/potter009.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/potter024.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/potter028.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/potter037.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/potter122.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/potter127.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/467011.jpg

Here's a red eft!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/potter015.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/potter018.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/potter020.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/potter021.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/potter023.jpg

Ground skink!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Lizards/467041.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Lizards/467042.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Lizards/467044.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Lizards/467049.jpg

meet my new pet milksnake! Tame and cute as a button! a young adult male... he's a real sweetie pie!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/467077.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/467078.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/467079.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/467082.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/467092.jpg

Found 1.1 northern ringnecks under the same rock!


http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467060.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467061.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467064.jpg



http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467065.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467071.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467074.jpg

The red bellied snakes are up next!!! these are a cousin of the dekay's brown snake... so variable.. so cute!

Gravid female silver
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467093.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467095.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467103.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/potter097.jpg

The only mean red belly... ever.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467023.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467026.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467028.jpg


now here is my FAVORITE kind of red belly.... I have only even seen two.. including this gravid female.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467104.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467106.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/467110.jpg

and finally, I found one of the super rare black-bellied red bellies I have heard rumors of. Isnt he stunning!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/potter099.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/potter102.jpg

Here are some variety shots
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/potter110.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/potter115.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/potter118.jpg

Now here are the garters!!! I always save the best for last!!!!

Heres the bucket shot of SOME of the first night's catch.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter030.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Here are some random garters
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter038.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter034.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter092.jpg
Look at the eyes on this one!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter047.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter052.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter049.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter055.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter059.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter060.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter061.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467113.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467030.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467033.jpg

NOW.... for the keepers.
A stunning red female... love her!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467015.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467016.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467022.jpg

Hypo-ish male! He's not a hypo... but hes pretty darned close.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter075.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter077.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter078.jpg

ORANGE CHEEKY FEMALE... the pictures do no justice.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter066.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter068.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter071.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/potter073.jpg

And finally.. on top of everything else... I FOUND A FLAME!!!! YYYESSSSS!
Here she is... a very young female.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467120.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467125.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467128.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/467120.jpg

thank you all for viewing. This was by far the best herping I've ever had

[GartersRock]

Oh.... My.... God....... I HATE you right now!!! AHHHH!!!!!! *sobs and cries in self pitty*

;)

[infernalis]

Shannon, "thanks for viewing"?????

Thank YOU for taking these pictures!!!!!!:D

Awesome, and a Melanistic red belly, how cool.

A couple of your red belly photos reinforce what I believe.

do Storeria species integrade in the wild?? I think so. I have seen cross traits in both species.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Hmmm, I am not sure about the intergrade thing... but I can say that i have never once seen a dekay's brown snake in that area!

[Stefan-A]

Very nice finds and great photos, Shannon. :)

I've probably asked this before, but what camera are you using?

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

panasonic lumix dmc fz-18

[Lori P]

Oh man... Shannon, these pics ROCK!!!!! I cannot get over the variety... the numbers... amazing!! Can you please take me with you next time?!!! LOL!!

[count dewclaw]

You did find a lot of snakes! The other critters are neat, too. Thanks for sharing the great pictures.

[jitami]

Wow Shannon! Thanks for sharing the pics with us! Love your keepers!

[crzy_kevo]

omfg your so lucky to have found a flame
and that hypoish garter looks almost like the girl i found for anji (providing her husband lets her take it if not she is going back to the wild)
http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/6839/picture051yf2.jpg

thats the one there

anyways back to you wow what a haul amazing pictures as always too shannon

[Jack Neary]

AWESOME pics!! WOW What a trip!
Did you get bit by many of the snakes you picked-up?
Did you see any Copperheads or Rattlers?
Thanks for the great pics and posting!
Jack

[gregmonsta]

Amazing pics :) well done!!!

[dashnu]

great post thanks Shannon.

[ScimitarX]

Amazing finds and great pics. Glad you had such a nice time:)

[Sid]

Amazing finds and fantastic photos, Shannon:D. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Gijs & Sabine]

. . . . . . *speechless here* . . . . :D

Those pictures are truly amazing, Shannon !! And all the garters you found are stunning as well.

Way do I live at the wrong site of the pond ?? :p

[anji1971]

I think I'll just join GartersRock in the sobbing and self-pitying.............:D

Honestly, Shannon, you are the luckiest herper I've ever seen. What a fabulous outcome, and another set of incredible photos.
That orange-cheeked Eastern is my favourite -- stunning!:cool:

[drache]

wow, Shannon
that's so amazing
thanks for the fantastic photos

[ssssnakeluvr]

Wow!!! nice finds!!! awesome pics too!!!!

[bio6464]

Beautiful snakes Shannon, I think I see some beautiful breeders in that group...:rolleyes:. The ringnecks are REALLY cool and that melanistic red belly (OXYMORON) is amazing...I do believe I would have brought that one home to meet my Dekayis..Bom Chica Wah Wah! :eek::eek::eek:
Jerry

[Snaky]

Great pictures, must have been a hell of a trip. Very nice finds :)

[Stefan-A]

Indeed. The number of species and the abundance is on a whole other level.

[boeh]

Fantastic, indeed! The pictures, the snakes, everything. Thanks for sharing Shannon.

[Bay_area]

Thanks for sharing Shannon. Looks like you had a great trip. How many did you keep? Is there a bag limit on garters there? Here in California you can only have 2 of each spieces when herping. Just wondering how it works on the East Coast:confused:. Thanks for sharing, Jerry

[drache]

Jerry
I've been trying to figure out how to get my little nuclear family unit to move to Pennsylvania
for one - my vet moved there
and why? - everything's legal in PA, except for sugar gliders and one other critter
there are probably no bag limits
my vet got his property cheap because it was snake infested
it's sounds like paradise for herpers to me

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Actually, from what I am told, they recently changed the bag limit to just having one on you at a time. But seeing as I am on my grandparents farm, in the absolute middle of nowhere, and that I've been allowed to keep all the garters I've wanted until they decided to make that (highly uneccessary) move, I simply do not care!

I sent a huge, long, letter to the agriculture and whatever department explaining all about my hypo garter snake and I how needed to prove out her genetics and blah dee blah dee blah... and after ALL that writing and what not that I did, trying to be nice and civil about owning her and her babies even though I am only supposed to have one, and asking about the other garters that I had had for years before they made any changes and what I am supposed to do with them.... and how to obtain a permit to keep them and what not... they totally ignore me! both my letters! I sent two!! So if they don't care, then neither do I!

I love my eastern garters and they're not going anywhere :)

thanks for all the compliments on my photo's! I am hopnig to go back for one more weekend in august... think i should?!

[crzy_kevo]

yout totally should

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Haha, I actually did end up keeping the melanistic red belly, who could resist that wee little face! I also held onto a silver female and the striped silver/brown female.

Right now, I am in pittsburgh, so my keepers are temporarily living in my aunt's 29 gallon set up that they once houses a brazilian rainbow boa in. The milksnake is sticking it out in a sterlite tub and so is the orange cheeky female, whom is going to have (hopefully orange cheeky) babies!

I actually wish that she and the rusty red female I found were not gravid... i don't want their babies... I just want them!!! I'm going to pair them both, along with my new found flame, with my male flame from Scott next year to hopefully get some really lovely (and genetically fresh) flames and erythristics!

I love all snakes, but I am a sucker for the snakes that are local to my area... eastern garters will forever be my love!

Are slugs freezeable? and does scenting worms with slugs help at all?

[mycolorfulheart]

Wow so many awesome pics! My favorite is the one with the centipede babies...so cool!

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Incredible herp trip indeed! Great pictures!

Steven

[zooplan]

thanks for all the compliments on my photo's! I am hopnig to go back for one more weekend in august... think i should?!

you should!!
Did you take all those photos in one weekend:confused:
What is the next airport?

[Kevin_is_a_herper12]

Wow, amazing pictures and snakes. Wish I had them in my backyard....but, no places for them to hide.

[lestat]

What a good herping trip you had. Love all the snakes. You are very lucky to be able to find so many varieties. Pictures are so good as usual.

[Lulu Bennett]

Its amazing how many you can collect when they are sat on your doorstep

[Kevin_is_a_herper12]

Ok, I lied, I went outside and went on a rampage searching for snakes and I ended up finding 2 red bellies (ittle ones haaha) and about a 2 foot milksnake..almost took my hand off....and I was going to keep it too, but it got away...D***m ahahah.

Kevin

[Garter_Gertie]

I love my butt. I can find it. (sigh)

[Hornets23]

Sweet pics shannon. If you dont mind me asking, what kind of camera do you use? I'm looking for a new one and I like the way your pics look.