Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field

Unfortunately between work, school, and some other junk, I haven't been on the Venomland Forums much lately, so I thought I'd do a little catching up.

While I didn't get to herp as often in 2012 as I did the year prior, I managed to visit a number of new places, herp some new habitats, and find some new species, and spend some time with some awesome people. I'm going to try and keep the narration light, but we'll see...

In typical Arkansas fashion, my first couple herps were some late January 'manders:

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6923750781_78903c8c97_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6923750781_78903c8c97_z

Eurycea tynerensis - Oklahoma Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Ozark Zigzags were found as well.

February 21st brought out the first snake of the year, a tiny Rough Earth Snake (Virginia striatula).
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 417707_10150607430759401_728050418_n

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 417707_10150607430759401_728050418_n

The second snake of the year was this little biter, which I flipped under a board I had laid out last year.

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6778141660_f054f55287_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6778141660_f054f55287_z

Diadophis punctatus arnyi - Prairie Ringneck by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6924257803_3b93bd19a3_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6924257803_3b93bd19a3_z

Diadophis punctatus arnyi by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

In early March, Brad (Mulebrother) and I took a little trip up into the Ozarks to knock off a couple salamander species I hadn't had a chance to look for yet. Checking in and around the mouths of some small caves turned up these guys:

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6825250512_43e7658d28_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6825250512_43e7658d28_z

Eurycea longicauda melanopleura - Darksided Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6825250586_ec60ef1385_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6825250586_ec60ef1385_z

Eurycea spelaea - Grotto Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6825250686_ecbafe111e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6825250686_ecbafe111e_z

Eurycea lucifuga - Cave Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6971299051_7c7b62483e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6971299051_7c7b62483e_z

Perimyotis subflavus - Tricolored Bat by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6971299097_3c0f91f740_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6971299097_3c0f91f740_z

Myotis keenii? by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Some other Springtime Arkansas/Oklahoma finds:

This big guy we think is a recapture from some dens within a mile of the Arkansas border:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6983632937_24ce08203e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6983632937_24ce08203e_z

Crotalus atrox by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6837509242_c43c2d951a_z

Masticophis (=Coluber) flagellum flagellum - Eastern Coachwhip by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Ugly little Thamno found the same day, fresh out of brumation
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6983633219_2e55976b0e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6983633219_2e55976b0e_z

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis - Eastern Garter by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6983633425_34948a9e9c_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6983633425_34948a9e9c_z

Pantherophis obsoletus in situ by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6863664230_cf5363841d_c

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6863664230_cf5363841d_c

Pantherophis obsoletus - Texas Ratsnake in situ by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6863664270_03d3c3c7aa_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6863664270_03d3c3c7aa_z

Carphophis vermis - Western Worm Snake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6872566658_b645a964ea_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6872566658_b645a964ea_z

Masticophis (=Coluber) flagellum flagellum by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6887762920_13756a86ba_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6887762920_13756a86ba_z

Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer - Diamondbacked Watersnake in situ by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7033856489_f38db3323a_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7033856489_f38db3323a_z

Opheodrys aestivus aestivus - Northern Rough Green Snake in situ by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6887764330_93a213eb31_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6887764330_93a213eb31_z

Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi - Dwarf American Toad by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6887764658_44ccb62613_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6887764658_44ccb62613_z

Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster - Yellow Bellied Watersnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6891682118_11cdf607cf_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6891682118_11cdf607cf_z

Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster in situ by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6891682254_e91a14aa58_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6891682254_e91a14aa58_z

Nerodia sipedon pleuralis - Midland Watersnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6892688080_7a571b91ab_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6892688080_7a571b91ab_z

Lampropeltis getula holbrooki - Speckled Kingsnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7038783893_68fa88b14d_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7038783893_68fa88b14d_z

Lampropeltis getula holbrooki by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

My favorite racer of the year:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7040817073_5502c5487e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7040817073_5502c5487e_z

Coluber constrictor priapus - Southern Black Racer by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6898171222_38f33bbccb_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6898171222_38f33bbccb_z

Gastrophryne carolinensis - Eastern Narrowmouthed Toad by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

My first Arkansas milk:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058960711_f2c6dc99f7_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058960711_f2c6dc99f7_z

Lampropeltis triangulum syspila by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Followed by a couple across the line in Oklahoma:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058961729_94e70f1e22_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058961729_94e70f1e22_z

Lampropeltis triangulum syspila by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058962535_7158646c85_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058962535_7158646c85_z

Lampropeltis triangulum syspila by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

This bruiser was flipped by Eric East right after I flipped the prior little one:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058962201_bb8dc8a48c_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058962201_bb8dc8a48c_z

Lampropeltis triangulum syspila by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

This garter ate something wearing a some boots:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058961101_9bf600b486_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058961101_9bf600b486_z

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

These Ouachita endemic Salamanders can be locally common in a few spots throughout their small range:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058961329_35ec29533e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058961329_35ec29533e_z

Plethodon ouachitae - Rich Mountain Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7097979457_967d611364_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7097979457_967d611364_z

Plethodon ouachitae - Rich Mountain salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058961563_8b47ba88dd_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7058961563_8b47ba88dd_z

Plethodon ouachitae by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Dipnetted these 3 guys one afternoon (L to R: Stinkpot [Sternotherus odoratus], Common Snapper [Chelydra serpentina], Spiny Softshell [Apalone spinifera])
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7092440889_a8487683c8_c

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7092440889_a8487683c8_c

Trio of Tiny Turtles!! by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6946371220_da40ed46e9_z

Apalone spinifera pallida by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Another Endemic salamander species from within the Ouachita highlands:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6951907758_65b8f11a36_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6951907758_65b8f11a36_z

Plethodon caddoensis - Caddo Mountain salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7097978453_646c3deeb6_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7097978453_646c3deeb6_z

Plethodon serratus - Southern redbacked salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

My 3rd and final endemic salamander species:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7097980085_d09f4cc918_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7097980085_d09f4cc918_z

Plethodon fourchensis - Fourche Mountain salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

In late April, we had our Arkansas Herp Society annual spring field trip. This would be my first time visiting the swampland that is Southeast Arkansas

Cottonmouth in situ, with miniMulebrother in the background
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6981041444_d7d08b8829_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6981041444_d7d08b8829_z

Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma - Western cottonmouth by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

I ended up taking a dip in our campsite's pond one night to drag this big thing out..
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127128137_e90e7f585a_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127128137_e90e7f585a_z

Chelydra serpentina - Common snapping turtle by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Brad spotted this fatty basking over some swamp while we were dipping for Muds.
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127128903_8c63837d13_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127128903_8c63837d13_z

Pantherophis obsoletus - Western (Texas) ratsnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6981042164_427519e8fa_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6981042164_427519e8fa_z

Naaame those scales....! by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

I flipped this attractive little Coppertop under a railroad tie:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127129211_0ca9e30e05_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127129211_0ca9e30e05_z

Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix - Southern copperhead by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Some other notable finds:

Arkansas Cantil:
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127129541_67f15b1eb8_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127129541_67f15b1eb8_z

Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma - Western cottonmouth by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6981043582_93f7d35ed2_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6981043582_93f7d35ed2_z

Nerodia fasciata confluens - Broadbanded watersnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6981044412_fe7fb1fea4_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 6981044412_fe7fb1fea4_z

Anolis carolinensis - Carolina (Green) anole by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127131015_676bca2493_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7127131015_676bca2493_z

Hyla cinerea - Green treefrog by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

During mid May, I was lucky enough to be able to head to Florida and meet up with a few friends for a solid week of herping.

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233455116_e51d98dcd5_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233455116_e51d98dcd5_z

Alligator mississippiensis - American alligator by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233450628_c81fc59481_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233450628_c81fc59481_z

Lampropeltis getula getula - Eastern kingsnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233454502_12566c8390_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233454502_12566c8390_z

Hemidactylus turcicus - Mediterranean gecko by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233454078_395d907256_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233454078_395d907256_z

Hemidactylus turcicus setae by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233453652_5a4e0d9c57_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233453652_5a4e0d9c57_z

Hyla squirrella - Squirrel treefrog by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233453296_1d4b0e15dd_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233453296_1d4b0e15dd_z

Pitcher plants by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233452540_e7686694fa_z

Sistrurus miliarius barbouri - Dusky pigmy rattlesnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233452386_465183949b_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233452386_465183949b_z

Terrapene carolina major - Gulf Coast box turtle by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233451756_3d9d462975_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233451756_3d9d462975_z

Coluber constrictor helvaticus - Brown chinned racer by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233449708_375c405a02_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233449708_375c405a02_z

Masticophis (=Coluber) flagellum flagellum - Eastern coachwhip by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233448476_6c07d09b4c_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233448476_6c07d09b4c_z

Sistrurus miliarius barbouri - Dusky pigmy rattlesnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233447670_a0b8a95f9e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233447670_a0b8a95f9e_z

Rhadinaea flavilata - Pine woods snake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233447232_35dbda6bf5_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233447232_35dbda6bf5_z

Terrapene carolina bauri - Florida box turtle by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233446102_6b09695a80_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233446102_6b09695a80_z

Hyla femoralis - Pine woods treefrog by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233445860_9ef9759623_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233445860_9ef9759623_z

Gopherus polyphemus - Gopher tortoise by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233444698_1a1e263c70_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233444698_1a1e263c70_z

Alligator mississippiensis - American alligator by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233444434_1072872588_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233444434_1072872588_z

Heterodon simus - Southern hognose by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233443080_1555cbccac_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233443080_1555cbccac_z

Pantherophis guttatus - Red rat snake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233439142_629e6bf6c5_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233439142_629e6bf6c5_z

Nerodia fasciata pictiventris - Florida banded watersnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233438640_7f4a7e7757_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233438640_7f4a7e7757_z

Ophisaurus ventralis - Eastern glass lizard by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233437824_cfa14870ff_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7233437824_cfa14870ff_z

Gulf Hammock ratsnake - Pantherophis somethingorother by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

In June, Mulebrother, Eric East, ksjuglenn, our buddy Jeremy, and I headed down to Texas in June for the first annual Sanderson Snake Days.

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405715686_f9a2805bc2_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405715686_f9a2805bc2_z

Coleonyx reticulatus - Reticulate gecko by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405712844_4c650a777f_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405712844_4c650a777f_z

Crotalus molossus molossus - Northern blacktail rattlesnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405711706_8b53c65852_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405711706_8b53c65852_z

Hypsiglena torquata jani - Texas nightsnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405710506_8ee6a8f1de_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405710506_8ee6a8f1de_z

Sonora semiannulata - Variable groundsnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405709450_27b96ca087_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405709450_27b96ca087_z

Bogertophis subocularis - Trans Pecos ratsnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405708438_6373553e4a_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405708438_6373553e4a_z

Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus - Texas longnose by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405707398_2c3d1fa03e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405707398_2c3d1fa03e_z

Arizona elegans elegans - Kansas glossy snake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405706244_745f9ca81e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7405706244_745f9ca81e_z

Untitled by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Back in Arklahoma, Summer roadcruising ended up being pretty good this year.

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7474840304_83ea35d83e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7474840304_83ea35d83e_z

Sistrurus miliarius streckeri - Western pigmy by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7474839836_cd6fbf4efb_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7474839836_cd6fbf4efb_z

Sistrurus miliarius streckeri - Western pigmy by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7474839460_3cacf82d85_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7474839460_3cacf82d85_z

Pantherophis emoryi - Great Plains (Emory's) ratsnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7785297526_d7e19a671a_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7785297526_d7e19a671a_z

Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923680064_dfa583ef88_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923680064_dfa583ef88_z

Crotalus horridus - Timber rattlesnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923672360_6d5bd9306d_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923672360_6d5bd9306d_z

Lampropeltis triangulum syspila - Red milk by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923670846_7178621504_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923670846_7178621504_z

Virginia valeriae elegans - Western smooth earth snake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923667730_a1f4a5c1d2_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923667730_a1f4a5c1d2_z

Wolf spider with babies by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923648320_b6e14f0af6_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 7923648320_b6e14f0af6_z

Sistrurus miliarius streckeri - Western pygmy rattlesnake by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Now for my last little bit...
For the past few years, my mom had been pretty sick, off and on. On October 1st, I received a call from my grandma that she was back in the hospital and she likely wasn't making it out this time. That was on a Saturday. By the following Tuesday, I would find myself on an emergency flight back home to Northern California. Although she was unresponsive most of the time, I am so incredibly grateful I had been able to spend almost a month with her before she passed away on November 1st.

Growing up, she had always been TERRIFIED of snakes. Pictures, TV shows, anything, but that never stopped her for supporting my love of the same animals.

Before I moved to Arkansas nearly 3 years ago, she wanted me to do one thing before I left, and while she still had the chance. She wanted to hold a snake. She wanted to finally curb her fear. I showed up with a CA Redsided Garter a couple days before I left, and by the end of the day, she didn't want to let it go. That was the last real amount I've time I was able to spend with her, and thanking me for that day, again, was one of the last things she was able to say to me.

Some people don't realize, but it's the little things that make life so big.

To clear my mind from all the "Grown Up" things I had to deal with in those two months, I did manage to get out and hit a few of my local haunts as well as meet up with a couple real good friends/coherpers, Natalie McNear and Devlin Espeleta, and while I couldn't manage to find one last snake for my mom, she'd always had a soft spot in her heart for salamanders, which didn't disappoint.

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242717831_f1e3cd6726_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242717831_f1e3cd6726_z

Actinemys marmorata marmorata - Northern Pacific Pond Turtle in situ by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243784170_1ec878cdee_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243784170_1ec878cdee_z

Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - California alligator lizard by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243780490_903f79596e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243780490_903f79596e_z

Argiope sp. by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242707999_f6d6dc3800_z

Redwood Riparian Stream by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242702545_d0a7eef9f2_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242702545_d0a7eef9f2_z

Larval Dicamptodon tenebrosus - Coastal Giant Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242699057_d6997c137f_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242699057_d6997c137f_z

Dicamptodon tenebrosus - Coastal Giant Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242691031_6c576f32bb_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242691031_6c576f32bb_z

Ascaphis truei - Coastal Tailed Frog by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242687317_f2ec6babd2_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242687317_f2ec6babd2_z

Taricha Granulosa - Rough Skinned Newt by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243745012_064bfe1b33_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243745012_064bfe1b33_z

Taricha torosa torosa - California (Coast Range) Newt by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242675119_5920848a05_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242675119_5920848a05_z

Taricha rivularis - Red Bellied Newt by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243743504_1f6146c645_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243743504_1f6146c645_z

Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus - Speckled Black Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243742744_e23f4db194_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243742744_e23f4db194_z

Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis - Oregon ensatina by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243742056_72da416b7a_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243742056_72da416b7a_z

Taricha torosa torosa - California (Coast Range) Newt by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242671373_189b9ddb2e_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242671373_189b9ddb2e_z

Batrachoseps attenuatus - California slender salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243738608_a1f36a0695_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243738608_a1f36a0695_z

Batrachoseps attenuatus - California slender salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242668815_7bb7134db2_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242668815_7bb7134db2_z

Rana boylii - Foothill Yellow Legged Frog by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243735012_9a52c35794_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243735012_9a52c35794_z

Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus - Speckled Black Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242662731_d90cfd86ae_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242662731_d90cfd86ae_z

Aneides lugubris - Arboreal Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243726516_4db2a118da_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243726516_4db2a118da_z

Aneides vagrans - Wandering Salamander by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

I spent two separate weekends at my Aunt and Uncle's house on the Mendocino Coast, as well. Aside from herping, I've always been a Tidepool junkie...

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243734202_d833e1f409_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243734202_d833e1f409_z

Pacific fog bank by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242682699_95319d0491_z

Green Anemone by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

When you can't find snakes, things that look like snakes just have to do... Always a fun thing to flip during low tides!
Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243751218_f087393816_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243751218_f087393816_z

Monkeyfaced Prickleback by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243750152_2ef86f6b31_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8243750152_2ef86f6b31_z

Porcelain Crab Species by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242676939_587303df01_z

Of New Stomping Grounds & Old: East Coast to West. My 2012 in the field 8242676939_587303df01_z

Purple Shore Crab by michaelrayspencer, on Flickr

I'd like to give a big thanks out to the usual suspects: Brad Birchfield, Eric East, Glenn Manning, Jeremy Sloan, Natalie Mcnear, and Devlin Espeleta, as well as Zack West and Garrett Craft in Florida, Jeff Adams and the whole SnakeDays crew, Dan Krull, Scott Waters, and the everyone else I've had the pleasure of herping with or even talking to. Here's to an equally productive 2013 for everyone!

very nice shots looks like there is a great diversity of newts and salamanders, by the way loved the shot of the copperhead.
regards

Hey Mike,

what a superb report! Thank you very much for that. In my eyes, the richness of the herpetofauna of the US is often underestimated. Everyone dreaming of a herping holiday is talking about middle America, Africa,... But I guess I also have to visit you guys over the big pond some day to take a look on your spectacular reptile and amphibian diversity.

All the best

Frank

Hello Mike,

thank you very much for another photo-report about your herp- (and other) trips. Again I enjoyed it very much.

What touched me even more was what you write about your mother´s passing. I experienced all that, including the big gift of having the chance to spend the last weeks of their lives with them.

You write: "it's the little things that make life so big" - you´re right but this isn´t a little thing.
Keep it in your heart.

All the best,
Rainer

That's a great post. Also, I'm glad to learn that there's a species called "monkeyfaced prickleback".

A really amazing report Mike! I'm sorry for the last months of 2012...
However all the pics are beautiful, my favourite are the Nerodia hidden under the little waterfall and the Diadophis ones.
The Gulf Hammock is Pantherophis obsoletus williamsi Smile

My complements again!

Absolute mind-blowing diversity.

But most - sad to hear about your lost.

Gustav Eloy wrote:: very nice shots looks like there is a great diversity of newts and salamanders, by the way loved the shot of the copperhead.
regards

Thanks Gustav.
We definitely have a strong diversity of Caudates in the areas I live and have lived, but I haven't even been to the spots with the greatest diversity yet! Hopefully next year...
That copperhead shot is one of my favorite shots of the year I think.

Frank Weinsheimer wrote:: Hey Mike,

what a superb report! Thank you very much for that. In my eyes, the richness of the herpetofauna of the US is often underestimated. Everyone dreaming of a herping holiday is talking about middle America, Africa,... But I guess I also have to visit you guys over the big pond some day to take a look on your spectacular reptile and amphibian diversity.

All the best

Frank

Thanks a lot, Frank!
It really is underrated, and most of us take it for granted... however, I'm looking forward to hopefully getting away to somewhere new this year. Either Central America or Asia I'm hoping.

Rainer Fesser wrote:: Hello Mike,

thank you very much for another photo-report about your herp- (and other) trips. Again I enjoyed it very much.

What touched me even more was what you write about your mother´s passing. I experienced all that, including the big gift of having the chance to spend the last weeks of their lives with them.

You write: "it's the little things that make life so big" - you´re right but this isn´t a little thing.
Keep it in your heart.

All the best,
Rainer

Thanks Rainer. Much appreciated.
The only "little" thing I meant was curing her fear of snakes. For most people, it wouldn't seem like such a huge deal, but for me, it was one of the most important moments of my life, turning a "little" thing to most people into something huge.

Martti Niskanen wrote:: That's a great post. Also, I'm glad to learn that there's a species called "monkeyfaced prickleback".

Thank you, Martti. The Monkeyfaced Prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus) is a local fish we have all up and down the west coast of California, and can be incredibly common along rocky shores, tidepools, and rock jetties. Although most of the ones I flip in the tidepools are between 2 and 8 inches or so, we've caught them up to 3 feet.

Alex Forzudo wrote:: A really amazing report Mike! I'm sorry for the last months of 2012...
However all the pics are beautiful, my favourite are the Nerodia hidden under the little waterfall and the Diadophis ones.
The Gulf Hammock is Pantherophis obsoletus williamsi
My complements again!

Thanks a lot, Alex. It's been a rough couple months, but I'm hangin' in there. I really appreciate the compliments, and the update on the Gulf Hammock. The whole North America Elaphe/Pantherophis scene is a mess right now. Haha

Stefan Olsson Jr wrote:: Absolute mind-blowing diversity.

But most - sad to hear about your lost.

Thank you, Stefan. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of herptological biodiversity in the country, though. So far my list of everything (Serpents, Saurians, Testudines, Anurans, Caudates, and Crocodilians) is just over 200 species/subspecies. I'm not even 1/4 of the way through. Haha

Hi Mike,

I forgot to ask - do you perhaps have a shot of streckeri habitat to share?

Not necessary a verified local - just a shot with the same "type" of surroundings.
I´ve been searching the net but have not found anything particularly interesting.

Stefan Olsson Jr wrote:: Hi Mike,

I forgot to ask - do you perhaps have a shot of streckeri habitat to share?

Not necessary a verified local - just a shot with the same "type" of surroundings.
I´ve been searching the net but have not found anything particularly interesting.

For some reason, I've never bothered taking shots of local habitat to be honest. I can probably turn something up from one of my HD's, but if not, I'm sure I can get out and some point and get some for you..

Thanks for your answer Mike.

OK - I see. I kind of had a feeling that you focus on species. Wink

But it was worth a shot.

If you ever get the opportunity take a shot that would be greatly appreciated.

Stefan Olsson Jr wrote:: Thanks for your answer Mike.

OK - I see. I kind of had a feeling that you focus on species.
But it was worth a shot.

If you ever get the opportunity take a shot that would be greatly appreciated.

No problem Stefan. I'll be spending some time down that way in April for Milksnakes, so if I'm not down there before then, I'll definitely try and grab some shots when I do head down.

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