I spent last weekend in southern Illinois, and as usual found a huge assortment of critters to photograph. I didn't get a chance to buy the 600mm I was hoping to, so I skipped birding - although we did hear or see over 100 different species, according to an ornithologist who came with. As for my usual targets, we saw and photographed over 40 different species of reptile and amphibian, and a good time was had by all. I'm still sorting through the massive pile of shots I have to edit, but here are a few from the first night and full day.

Friday night was characterized by a thunderstorm, which brought the amphibians out en masse.

Grey tree frog (cope's)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/2454274119_f4ca430ba6_o.jpg

Northern slimy salamander

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/2454274087_200aecab5b_o.jpg

bullfrog

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/2454274049_3a22514f85_o.jpg

cave salamander

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2455101428_3876b1cafc_o.jpg

southern leopard frog

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2455101398_5776b11f0b_o.jpg

cricket frog

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/2455101468_3a0df3fdc7_o.jpg

fowler's toad

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/2455101752_3d2bda309d_o.jpg

And we worked hard to get the ambystoma grand slam - all of the ambystoma found in southern IL.

a mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoidium

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/2454274501_21d1ae46f0_o.jpg

marbled salamander, ambystoma opacum

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2454274529_3c19ef3820_o.jpg

spotted salamander, ambystoma maculatum

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2455101834_7163792560_o.jpg

And the smallmouth salamander, ambystoma texanum.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2455216194_d546f6e77b_o.jpg

That's all I have for now, more as they are finished!!

Great variety, Erik. Goes to show what a difference knowledge makes in finding and photographing wildlife.

Very nice variety. You got a lot of different little critters out there, dont you?

Great variety, Erik. Goes to show what a difference knowledge makes in finding and photographing wildlife.


weather also play a huge factor (which can come in to play as knowledge- but not usually when you plan trips ahead of time)- more soe with herpetofauna than anything.

Very nice- How long did it take to hunt all those guys down?

BM

Thanks everyone!

To answer as many questions as I can:

These were found in a three day trip. I know my way around the area fairly well, and guided the expedition to find the most productive spots, Snake Road was productive for a few species, but some are more easily found elsewhere. That particular ecosystem in southern illinois is unique - it is the collision of northern races and southern races in the most northern cypress swamp. Thus, the diversity is AMAZING.

With the heavy flooding that southern Illinois received this spring, amphibian numbers are WAY up. We actually had a hard time coming up with good snake numbers although we did see quite a few. The weather probably played a huge part in that - one site that we go to was completely flooded, and the cold (44f) night temps probably drove the snakes below ground. Amphibians couldn't care less, they prefer cooler temps and precipitation anyway.

Marvelous set of images Erik. Each one a winner in it's own right. Thanks for sharing your expertise and your wonderful photography skills.