Apalachicola 2011

[jdog1027]

Me and my crew went on our annual herping trip this past week, this year in the Apalachicola National Forest. Here are a few of the reptiles I found on this trip. We also saw lots of alligators, otters and a couple of Black bears as well. There were several other species of reptiles we found as well that I didn't get any decent photots of.


Gulf Coast box turtle Terrapene carolina major

Scarlet kingsnake Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides

Dusky pygmy rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius barbouri

 

[veiled]

love that turtles "smile." beautiful kingsnake.

 

[ChameleonRave]

Box Turtle! ^__^

 

[laurie]

I hope you had a good telephoto lens and weren't near the rattlesnake. Pgymy or not they scare me. I an such a girl! I would love to see more of your pictures, the scenery must be wonderful. looks like a fun trip.

 

[Cainschams]

Nice finds, Justin!!!

 

[jdog1027]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jdog1027]

I hope you had a good telephoto lens and weren't near the rattlesnake. Pgymy or not they scare me. I an such a girl! I would love to see more of your pictures, the scenery must be wonderful. looks like a fun trip.

I am cheap when it comes to technology- I have a simple point and shoot digital camera, nothing fancy. I was about 6-8" from the pygmy when I shot her. I enjoy 'tempting death'. You're right, the scenery was absolutely beautiful and the weather couldn't have been better. One of the highlights of this trip was we were camped out about 20-30 yds. from the water of lake Talquin, and it is the mating season for the American alligator. They were demonstrating their mating calls which I've never heard in the wild. Absolutely amazing. As I stood ankle deep in the muck in the pitch black darkess of the night, it sounded as if though I was in Jurassic Park. Very impressive. Nothing like putting yourself a step or two back on the food chain.

Nice finds, Justin!!!

Thanks man. Nothing like tons of beer, alligators and venomous reptiles.

 

[james L]

Nice Dusky!!!

 

[Cainschams]

Thanks man. Nothing like tons of beer, alligators and venomous reptiles.

Yea, now that sounds like my idea of a good time!!! Bet it was a blast!! Im doing some camping and white water rafting on the Youghiogheny River in PA this weekend. Going to be chilly and rainy!! Going to have to get the wet suits out.

 

[morpheon]

An "annual herping trip". That sounds very cool!! I wish i could do that (and probably 99% of the members here haha)!

Thank you for sharing your pictures!