SC Reptile and Amphibians

RECENT OBSERVATIONS

December 2004

Gene's notes

Early in the first week of December (do not remember the exact date) I found a Brown Snake on the road. It was injured and soon died.

Thursday morning (12-08-04), while parked at a restaurant in Laurens, I saw a fat Opossum amble up the bank of an adjacent creek. I figured it was headed to the trash bin, so I grabbed my camera moved to intercept it. Most Opossums are rather dull and slow, but this one heard me coming and ran away at a fast trot.

Temperatures became very cold during the week of the 12th to the 18th, our thermometer dropped to 13 F on two consecutive mornings.

Friday morning (12-17-04), I saw a DOR adult Bobcat on a highway near home.

In the wee hours of Saturday (12-18-04) I awoke to the high-pitched, whining yap of Coyotes behind the house. I have to admit that I had attracted them by throwing some old catfish fillets into the briar patch the evening before.

During the day, I remembered that I had not checked this year for Three-lined Salamanders breeding in the spring well at the farm. They usually show up in October and stay through November. Moving into our new house had distracted me. In the well I was glad to see many attached spermatophores. After a carefull inspection, I saw a single adult salamander partially hidden under the leaves lining the bottom of the well.

Beside the watering hole fed by the spring, I found the skeleton of an Opossum.

Monday morning (12-20-04), the home thermometer registered 8 F. As I drove down our long driveway in the predawn, my headlights were reflected as sparkling diamonds from tiny ice crystals which had formed on the grass. A field of diamonds!

Thursday evening(12-23-04), the setting sun revealed a complicated sky.

Christmas morning (12-25-04), my wife and I were bestowed a wonderful gift this morning. A doe standing watch while her two nearly grown offspring romped in the field outside our front window.

Saturday (01-01-05), the old year ended and the new year began with warm, shirt-sleeve temperatures. I realized that two weeks ago I had left my spotlight at the spring well. I retrieved the light and it still worked fine. In the well I again saw a single Three-lined Salamander.

With the warm temperatures, we opened the doors at home to the screen porch. At Thanksgiving, we had used some Indian Corn in a cornucopia table decoration. When redecorating for Christmas, we put the corn ears on the porch in front of our "Whisky Frisky" squirrel statue, making it look like he was eating. While enjoying the porch today, I noticed that something was really eating the corn! An inspection revealed that Fire Ants were feasting.

Sunday (01-02-05), was a gorgeous, warm day. I was able to get my old farm tractor running, so I hooked up the bush hog mower and cut pastures and trails. The day was so warm that I was engulfed by a dirt devil wind full of grass clippings. Before the day was over, I sunburned on my face.

You may have noticed that I have included advertisements on some of my web pages. 2005 will be the 10th year for the website. Costs for maintaining the site have continually increased. In 2004, the costs doubled. During the next month or two, I will be evaluating whether to continue the ad program.

Gene Ott

===================================================================================

Joey's notes

Week Ending 12-05-04

This time of year is always busy. Just not much time, or daylight, to spend outdoors.

Monday (11-29-04), No time outdoors. Inside, we got our breeders set up for the up-coming brumation period.

Tuesday (11-30-04), No time outdoors.

Wednesday (12-1-04), A really pretty day. It reached about 60 degrees!

Thursday (12-2-04), Another pretty day. I was off and rambled a couple of sandbars looking for Tiger Beetles. I was secretly wishing for a Cicindela repanda. I have caught them every month but December and I thought it would be great to get one. I did not find any, but it was fun to look. In Laurens, they had the Kick-off for the TV show “TOWN HAUL”. The High School Band played, the Cheerleaders cheered, the Gospel Choir sang, and the “stars” arrived on the square to the cheers of hundreds of local folks. The whole thing just screamed out small-town charm. Pretty cool stuff.

Friday (12-3-04), Still nice weather. At work we tended to the animals in the classroom. With some of the animals chilling for the winter, we had only a few to feed. The Caiman appreciated the extra attention and enjoyed 31mice! That little guy was hungry!

Saturday (12-4-04), Holmes Photography had a busy day. We did breakfast with Santa (No, it was not me) and a major wedding, then the big Laurens Christmas Parade!

Sunday (12-5-04), I walked about 2 miles in the river pasture but saw nothing out of the ordinary. It was nice to get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

Enjoying the year while it lasts,

Week Ending 12-12-04

Season’s Greetings!

John Lennon said, “So this is Christmas. What have you done?” Well for one thing, I have not bought any presents yet, but that will change very soon!

Monday (12-6-04), It was cold and rainy. Typical for this time of year.

Tuesday (12-7-04), This day means many things to sentimental, patriotic Americans. I was fortunate to spend the evening in a special way. The US Army has a base in Columbia, SC. Fort Jackson. The base has an excellent band. The band did a show of Christmas music at the Newberry Opera House. I attended and was delighted with the show. Great musicians!

Wednesday (12-8-04), Beautiful, warm and sunny! Shorts and t-shirt were fine attire. Anoles were basking, Upland Chorus Frogs called from the bottomlands. I took advantage of the weather and put the Caiman in his outdoor pen for a few hours of UV rays.

Thursday (12-9-04), Warm and rainy, the Chorus Frogs were still calling. By evening we had thunderstorms.

Friday (12-10-04), Rainy in the morning. Then it cleared some. By noon we had thunderstorms. It cleared some in the afternoon. By sundown it was stormy again. Wild weather! This was weather the Chorus Frogs could enjoy, and I could too. By the time I got home I had decided to check my tin. I found a shed skin (from a small, smooth-scaled snake) and even found a snake! Just a Southern Ringneck, but at this date I am happy with anything.

Saturday (12-11-04), I spent the morning “decking them halls.” I put up the tree, and got the Nativity scene out. Getting into the Christmas mood.

Sunday (12-12-04), New moon. Seasonably cool.

Week Ending 12-19-04

This week has been busy. Very busy.

Monday (12-13-04), Busy. I do not even remember what it was, but I was busy! The TV show is beginning to work on the amphitheater.

Tuesday (12-14-04), Errands, busy, etc.

Wednesday (12-15-04), At about 5 PM, I stopped by the site where the TV show is building the amphitheater in Laurens. Scores of people were hard at work but it was still a mess. Mud everywhere. At 8:30 I stopped by again and was shocked. They had installed two full size Palmetto trees and had spread gravel and mulch to cover the mud. Good thing too, they are supposed to have a grand opening in less than 24 hours!

Thursday (12-16-04), It is cold. 20s and 30s. The show must go on. The TV crew was filming as the new Amphitheater opened.. The Mayor cut the ribbon. Locals preformed a few songs, including my son and some of his friends who play in local “unplugged” jams around town. Then TLC brought out a big surprise, Hootie and the Blowfish! Big in the 90s and from SC, they were a great choice for the grand opening. They played about 30 minutes, there was a fireworks show, and everybody left. We even had time to make it to the big PWI Christmas Party!

Friday (12-17-04), It was warmer. I even found some Anoles. I made arrangements for a co-worker to care for my animals, I wished the boys a Merry Christmas, and left. I will be off until December 27!

Saturday (12-18-04), Holmes Photography worked a major Wedding.

Sunday (12-19-04), It was a sunny morning, then a cloudy afternoon. By sundown it was even snowing a few flakes! Cold and windy overnight.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week Ending 12-26-04

Merry Christmas to All!

I have the whole week off! But a LOT to do! No time to waste! No time to diet!

Monday (12-20-04), Work in the photography business.

Tuesday (12-21-04), Work in the photography business. The Solstice rings in winter and the days will be getting longer now!

Wednesday (12-22-04), The Holmes family does some serious Christmas shopping. Malls, lines, traffic, etc.

Thursday (12-23-04), Errands, last minute business, last minute shopping. It is warm, 55 and rainy.

Friday (12-24-04), Christmas Eve! We gather at Mom’s for gifts and food with my family. I got some nice things and some great books; Reptiles of NC, Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas, and Amphibians and Reptiles of Colorado!

Saturday (12-25-04), Christmas! I got a great Coleman stove for camping, and other nice things. Later, we gathered again for gifts and food with my wife’s family.

Sunday (12-26-04), More family time. Too much food.

Time to get back on track, back to work, loose some more weight (seriously, I have dropped over 45 lbs since May 04 and I intend to continue), and prepare for a new year and a month long SABBATICAL! I think May of 2005 will do nicely. I hope to ramble a bit and want to find Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Milk Snakes, Rainbow Snakes, Southern Hognose Snakes, a few neat Tiger Beetles, and learn more about photography! Only time will tell.

And to All, a good night,

Week Ending 01-02-05

Happy New Year!

Monday (12-27-04), Back to work. Had a nice holiday, but back to work. The day was cold and clear. The high just made it up to about 45-48 degrees but I did take my class outside for a few minutes. We went to the creek. We found a few small Dusky Salamanders and some Crayfish.

Tuesday (12-28-04), After work I stopped by the pond and had a nice walk. Saw the expected Blue Heron, Kingfisher, Killdeer, and Wood Ducks. No herps, but the fresh air was great.

Wednesday (12-29-04), It was warmer. The temps rocketed into the 60s! It did me little good as I was busy all day with inside duties. Too bad.

Thursday (12-30-04), Warm. In the 60s again. Again I had other things demanding my time and attention. The little time I did have outside did pay off with a nice Ground Beetle (Carabid), Scarites subterraneus, and I kept it just because of the date it was found and collected

Friday (12-31-04), Another very nice warm day. Last of the year. I will have some great memories of 2004.

Saturday (1-1-05), Happy New Year! I went to the pond (it was sunny and in the 60s again) where I found good numbers of Cricket Frogs. I collected a few as feeder items for my baby Checkered Garter Snakes. A good way to start off the year.

Here is a list of last year’s snakes:

SNAKES CAUGHT IN 2004

  • Midland Water Snake….…………………………………………..……2
  • Northern Water Snake……………………………………………….….2
  • Redbelly Water Snake……………………………………………….….2
  • Queen Snake…………………………………………………………....1
  • Brown Snake………………………………………………………..…..8
  • Redbelly Snake……………………………………………………...…..9
  • Smooth Earth Snake………………………………………………..…...8
  • Eastern Garter Snake……………………………………………..….….6
  • Western Ribbon Snake………………………………………...………..2
  • Eastern Worm Snake………………………………………..……...….15
  • Southern Ringneck Snake………………………………….……….…..20
  • Northern Ringneck Snake………………………………...……………..1
  • Rough Green Snake……………………………………..………………2
  • Eastern Hognose Snake………………………………..………………..1
  • Black Racer………………………………………….…………..…….17
  • Eastern Coachwhip…………………………………..…………...……..1
  • Corn Snake…………………………………………..……….………...4
  • Black Ratsnake……………………………………..……………..…….5
  • “Greenish” Ratsnake……………………………….…………………….2
  • Gray Ratsnake…………………………………….……………………..1
  • Mole Kingsnake………………………………….………………………7
  • Eastern Kingsnake………………………………..………………………3
  • Copperhead………………………………………………………..…...27
  • Western Cottonmouth…………………………………………….………1

147 snakes, 24 different types. My first Greenhouse Frog, Gray Ratsnake and Western Ribbonsnakes. My first time herping in Mississippi. My first snakes in Mississippi. Saw all the other usual/assorted Turtles, Lizards, Alligators, Frogs and Salamanders. Did some good Tiger Beetle collecting and caught my first Tiger Beetles in Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee. I was also able to complete a major goal of catching a snake in EVERY county in South Carolina. I would say it was a good year.

First Snake of 2004 was a Brown Snake, found in Spartanburg County on January 13.

Have a great 2005,

Joey Holmes

January 10, 2005
Contact: South Carolina Reptiles and Amphibians


Return to SC Reptiles and Amphibians Observations Page

Return to SC Reptiles and Amphibians Home Page