Adult Milk Snake and Herping Trip
Yesterday, Chris and I met up with some friends we met through a herping forum and tried our hand at herping in some of the most miserable May weather conditions. We had planned to find some new snakes – in particular Timber Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, Milk Snakes, and Eastern Hognose Snakes – to photograph, but the 45 degree, rainy weather wasn’t exactly ideal. We ended up trying several spots in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for a variety of herps, and overall had quite a successful day despite the weather. We found six new lifers for me – Northern Slimy Salamander, Longtail Salamander, Northern Ringneck Snake (the one Chris flipped in the Pine Barrens the other day was a Northern x Southern integrade), Black Racer, Milk Snake, and Spring Peeper, four of which I photographed for my stock gallery (including N. Slimy, Longtail, Milk, and Peeper). I also photographed an adult Red-spotted Newt, Red Eft, and Spotted Newt larvae as well.
My favorite find of the day was definately the adult Milk Snake our friend Jeff flipped. It was the first wild Milk I had ever seen and it was gorgeous! Usually, smaller younger Milks have more vibrant colors than adults, but this one was rather pretty. Unfortunately, snakes are often difficult to photograph because they are rarely cooperative. This one wasn’t exactly the exception, and it didn’t stay still for very long. I only managed a few portraits of it before we released it, but I’m still happy with my first shots of the species.
To order this print, purchase stock rights, or view other photos I have for sale, please visit my website at www.karipost.com.
on February 4, 2010 at 3:53 pm
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Where in NJ did you go to????????? PLEASE TELL ME!!!
on February 7, 2010 at 8:03 am
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I believe this photo was taken near Stokes State Forest in Sussex County, but I would have a very difficult time showing you the exact location.