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  1. #1
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    Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Every spring and fall I try to make it down to the Shawnee National Forest in the extreme south of Illinois to watch the snake migrations. This year was no exception.

    The most popular herping area is a stretch of gravel road, roughly two miles, that the snake must move across to get from their hibernacula to the habitat they live in during the summer. I did spend a day walking this road and the adjacent bluffs, but the full moon and a cold front pushed most of the snakes under cover where they were inaccessible. Areas in the surrounding habitat was much more productive, and I came away with roughly 30 species of reptile and amphibian seen.

    I wasn't feeling particularly inspired in the photography area, but I did shoot a handful of the critters we found.

    Rattlesnakes were the most common find. We saw four.





    in habitat



    a different snake



    in habitat



    yet another. This one was just a baby, maybe a year or two old. Notice the last rattle segment is still the "button" that they are born with. This normally breaks off within a few years because the snake grows another rattle segment with each shed. If rattles didn't break off regularly, old rattlesnakes might have rattles thirty or forty links long.



    under roofing tin, as found.



    The final rattlesnake.





    size reference. The snake hook is 40 inches long, I think.



    rough green snake from snake road.



    as found.



    bird voiced treefrog





    eastern box turtle



    grey tree frog



    shawnee kingsnake, lampropeltis getula holbrooki X nigra



    Hope you enjoyed the critters from this year!
    Erik Williams

    Olympus E3, E510
    12-60 SWD, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2 macro, EX25, FL36's and an FL50r.

  2. #2
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Woah!

    They're awesome!

    Were you still 4inches - a foot away from the rattlesnakes? Or did you use a different lens?

    Though, I assume they only attack if provoked?

  3. #3
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Fantastic captures on all of these!!!...nice job!

  4. #4
    nature/wildlife co-moderator paulnj's Avatar
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Sistrurus catenatus catenatus!!!! Awesome Erik, I love to see that they still have a strong hold!
    CAMERA BIRD NERD #1




    BIRD NERD O'CANON

    "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" - Benjamin Franklin

  5. #5
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Quote Originally Posted by paulnj
    Sistrurus catenatus catenatus!!!! Awesome Erik, I love to see that they still have a strong hold!
    They are indeed holding on, but that's this post!

    Midwest massassauga rattlers...

    These big boys are Crotalus Horridus, the timber rattlesnake. These make the 'saugas look like guppies.
    Erik Williams

    Olympus E3, E510
    12-60 SWD, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2 macro, EX25, FL36's and an FL50r.

  6. #6
    Nature/Wildlife Forum Co-Moderator Loupey's Avatar
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Erik - it sounds and looks like you have a very productive time in S. Illinois!

    Excellent series. Thanks for sharing these with us.
    Please do not edit or repost my images.

    See my website HERE.


    What's a Loupe for anyway?

  7. #7
    Senior Member Dylan8i's Avatar
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Very nice finds and pics.

    and wow thats a large (timber) rattle snake.
    check out my photography website
    http://dylanschneider.zenfolio.com/



    Please feel free to edit or change any of my pictures to show me how to improve them.



    Nikon D200
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  8. #8
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Wonderful series Erik, thanks!

  9. #9
    Senior Member michael buchanan's Avatar
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    great series, one that i'd have to have a sizable lens to shoot with! congrats on your featured photo!
    in the words of a world famous philospher:
    "I yam what i yam and that's all what i yam!"

  10. #10
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Quote Originally Posted by michael buchanan
    great series, one that i'd have to have a sizable lens to shoot with! congrats on your featured photo!

    Thanks!

    That shot with the ZD 50-200 (100-400) SWD and 25mm tube...so yeah, good, long lens. Working distance is about three feet and change.
    Erik Williams

    Olympus E3, E510
    12-60 SWD, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2 macro, EX25, FL36's and an FL50r.

  11. #11
    nature/wildlife co-moderator paulnj's Avatar
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    Re: Southern Illinois snake migration, fall 2009

    Quote Originally Posted by Sushigaijin
    They are indeed holding on, but that's this post!

    Midwest massassauga rattlers...

    These big boys are Crotalus Horridus, the timber rattlesnake. These make the 'saugas look like guppies.
    Boy do I feel stupid

    The timber I see in NJ are much darker usually.
    CAMERA BIRD NERD #1




    BIRD NERD O'CANON

    "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" - Benjamin Franklin

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