Mills Canyon/Canadian River

05/28/2005 @ 4:00:49 PM MDT
Last year around Memorial Day we went to Mills Canyon on the Canadian river in the Kiowa National Grasslands, where there were plenty of critters to keep us busy. On the way to our campsite I peered over a 10 foot bank and spied this monster coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) creeping in the grass next to the river.


05/28/2005 @ 04:04:43 PM MDT
Handsome snake.


05/28/2005 @ 04:10:11 AM MDT
Boss of the grass.


05/29/2005 @ 11:10:45 AM MDT
The next day we found this diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) in the same colors as the local red rock. It tried to hide in the bush until we pulled it out for a portrait.


05/29/2005 @ 11:13:49 AM MDT

05/29/2005 @ 3:08:06 PM MDT
Hiking up a side canyon, we found this ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus).


05/30/2005 @ 10:09:10 AM MDT
We had an hours-long precip event on Sunday night, making the toads quite comfortable. On the left is a red-spotted toad, (Bufo punctatus) with a southwestern toad (Bufo microscaphus) on the right.


05/30/2005 @ 12:54:33 PM MDT
Another diamondback (Crotalus atrox) found quite close to camp.


05/30/2005 @ 3:09:21 PM MDT
On the way out a mountain patchnose (Salvadora grahamiae) graced us with an appearance. Beautiful, gentle and mild.