I know this isn't Maine but being from there, I just wanted to show some of my fellow MHS members what has been out and moving in North Central Florida lately. We've had some light spring rains in the last few days and the frogs are going mad right now. Also, it's been a perfect time to catch snakes. When the dead of summer hits in another few months, most of the snakes will be in aestivation.

Note: All animals except for the Barking Tree Frogs were released immediately after photographing.

A nice Gulf Marsh Water Snake Nerodia clarkii caught 03/14/09 in Cedar Key, FL



Second shot of the GMWS



Third shot of the belly. Gorgeous.



A Rough Green Snake Opheodrys aestivus caught 03/12/09 in O'Leno State Park, High Springs, FL



Pretty little Scarlet Kingsnake Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides found 03/20/09 in Paynes Prairie State Park, Gainesville, FL



One of the thousands of Southern Toads Bufo terrestris found on night walk in Keystone Heights, FL 04/01/09. This one is particularly high-red.



One of my personal favorites; a Barking Tree frog Hyla gratiosa caught in Keystone Heights, FL 04/01/09. That one and two other cagemates are now barking like crazy in his new terrarium as I type this. I've only heard two barking so hopefully the 3rd is a female. Crossing my fingers for CB Barkers!



Hope you enjoyed the shots!
Travis Cossette,
Gainesville, FL

That's right Travis, rub it in. We've still got some snow on the ground. Nice post. Now let's see, if I drive right through, I can make it there by Saturday night - just in time for road hunting.

Kevin

Come on down, Kev! It's been a wonderful spring for herps, then again, I haven't been out n' about as much as this spring or maybe I am just lucky. I am headed 30 miles north hopefully next week if the rains hold off and do some road crusing for Canebrakes. They have some amazing pink in the locality I've caught them from. Best I ever did was 4 large adults in one night. They are mild mannered in terms of crotalus attitude.

Not my photo but one from the locale I hunt. They ALL look like this where I find them!

I'm gonna find one of those buzztails in Maine if it kills me! They look a little different in these parts though. This bad boy is from VT.