I took off to Southeast Arkansas for a job interview. This is new country for me. Did not get much of a chance to get out. I did get driven around and saw some of the swamp lands. On the way back from this we did manage to  , well, uh, run over a racer. Van I was not driving, so back off.  :shocked:

This sparked my intrest, so after dinner I opted to take a drive back to the same area (was thinking after all the rain and cool weather Mud Snakes may still be good). I found one DOR racer, not the same one as before. The amphibians were going crazy, southern leps, narrowmouths, peepers, and chorus frogs for the most part. Did roll a narrowmouth under a log.

Caught a chorus frog in the act:

Ventured out away from the road, and almost got lost. Note to self, take GPS into the swamps. I did roll this nice little marble.

While shooting the sally, this big boy caught my eye. Thought Brad and Cindi would enjoy. :twisted:

Well I was in no hurry to get back. Thought I would herp the day away. Thought I would snag that big county record in Johnson County. I was shooting for a diamondback water snake. No such luck, but did find a spot that there should be plenty. Did see one-two big water snake(s) go into the water. I think they were plainbellies. Did find a spot that was covered in lizards, railroad tracks.

Have always been told it was good for these guys (prairie racerunner).

Saw both five-lines and this big fence lizard in the area.

I did find some other snakes. Found two cottonmouths.

Also, this county record western ribbon.

I did see many basking turtles. I could not ID most, but could tell that two were some sort of a map turtle. Many of the others had to be sliders and maybe a cooter. Did catch this little guy in a ditch. Mississippi mud turtle:

I opted next to hit a tin site that a few of you had been to. The tin and some of the surrounding rocks were very productive. Saw many many ringnecks. Three of them were dead, I think they drown in the rains. Also saw around 5-6 slimy salamanders.

All these snakes were under tin.

Garter snakes:

Smooth earth:

Another county record, brown snake: