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Enter Phil and Will! In the late 90’s I began to venture to the cave region in earnest and develop tin sites whose locations I soon forgot! Fortunately Phil was developing an interest of his own and was smart enough to purchase a map and keep records. Keeping accurate records is one of Phil’s special strengths. So is making tin sites. It was just a matter of time before we would form a partnership. We both have strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly are willing to forgive each other for them. There comes a time when differences MUST be put aside and the focus MUST be shifted to common goals. I have discovered that it is VERY difficult for both people and institutions to put their differences aside to work towards achieving common goals. Phil and I are very different. What we have in common is a desire to “break our chains” in order to work together to achieve success. Our success proves that it is possible for individuals and institutions to succeed in these types of endeavors. |
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We resolved to put forth the effort needed to achieve our goals. The first thing we agreed upon was that we needed help. In alphabetical order we got it from: James Hust, Jim Harrison, John MacGregor, Louisville Zoo, and Touchstone Energy Corporation. From these sources we received locality data, traps, encouragement, resolve, and more. These things, combined with the before mentioned traits, strengthened and resolved our faith that we would succeed in our endeavor! |
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And so the hunt began. While the afore-mentioned description took much time to describe and little time to complete thanks to the efficiency of our providers, the hunt itself was tedious and problematic to say the least. We soon found ourselves driving hours on end multiple times a week. We spent thousands of dollars and never batted an eye. Our wives batted many, of course. I would like to publicly apologize to Shelia for all she has been made to endure. I am sure that Phil would do the same for my wife Liz. The fact of the matter is that the apology is unnecessary. Our wives have been a major part of this effort. They strongly wish to see our desires fulfilled and are willing to do what it takes to ensure success. This is the most important quality that ensured our success. Fortunately for us, the women were ready to defy convention and commit where others have failed! There in itself lies true power! |
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With so many factors in place, we hunted. The hunt began in early winter when the leaves were off the trees. Once or even twice a week Phil and I would pile into my truck and drive for 12 hour shifts looking for sites, signs, and other possibilities. We soon had a set table, just as spring arrived. |
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We searched and searched and searched!
We found many things. Corn snakes were found in abundance. So were Black king snakes, prairie king snakes, racers, ring necks, copperheads, trapjaws, and more! |
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We met many
people and saw many things. Diversity abounded and it proved true that every day
a-field provided an experience that was new, unique, and refreshing.
The only problem was that the season moved on. Soon spring turned to summer. The heat would often stop all herp activity. Once the heat passed in the afternoon, a second activity period would present itself. This made long hours a requirement. Phil and I soon found ourselves staying out for days at a time. Often times we found very little, but we persisted. We took many trips to all three known pine snake habitats in Kentucky. Every trip failed to yield the find we so strongly desired. As summer began to wane the idea sunk in that we had failed to produce a pine snake. We consoled ourselves with the fact that we had discovered new habitats that looked good. We had met more locals and made many more connections. It seemed to us that the following year would produce a pine snake with a lot of effort and a lot of luck. |
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Our first annual trip to West Kentucky was an overall failure that almost ended in death! In spite of this failure we decided to make the five hour drive again in mid-September. The night before we were to leave we received a phone call from a friend and supporter who asked us to delay our trip west for one day so that we could partake in a cottonmouth/rattlesnake hunt. We agreed. The following morning we not only found a gravid cottonmouth, but also 30 timber rattlesnakes! |
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The first timber seen was a neonate in the process of shedding. We were all quite excited and prepared to photograph the animal. There was a bit of crowding so I decided to look around a bit and photograph later. |
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Two steps later I saw a mass of six babies. My immediate response was an uttered obscenity followed by a very heavy, sinking feeling. They were beautiful, vulnerable, magnificent, and majestic. It was an honor to behold them. A quick glimpse in a crevasse of a fallen tree revealed their mother. Experience had taught her to stay out of sight. |
| Moments later a group of over one dozen babies was discovered by our guide! They retreated under a large rock under which lay not only their mothers, but other gravid females as well. Shortly thereafter another gravid female was discovered in the open, and then another! Only a few hundred yards away was the most beautiful male I have ever seen! |
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As Phil and I departed and made our way west we reflected on what had happened that day. With so many rattlesnakes we had almost forgotten about the cottonmouths! Timber rattlesnakes are very special animals. Witnessing one is an honor. Witnessing thirty is both a blessing and a curse. There comes with such a discovery a burden of responsibility. These snakes are in dire need of protection. We resolved to protect the location of this most magical site. As we pushed forward we soon recognized that our four day trip had probably climaxed and it was sure to be a down hill decline from then on…we were sorely mistaken! |
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Once we arrived in west Kentucky we telephoned our friend Dwight Good. He was chomping at the bit to get out and make some finds. We arranged to meet the next morning at one of our favorite gas stations. Gas stations hold a special place in the heart of a true field herper as this is where all sustenance is derived. Time is both valuable and essential when it comes to making finds. These depots offer three square meals a day, or should I say one, in a very rapid manner. |
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On our way we had to stop and wake our friend Mike O’Brien from deep slumber. He too was ready to make some finds. We arrived at the gas station and ate breakfast while waiting for Dwight. Upon arrival he told us that both James and Katherine would join us at a site where pygmy rattlesnakes are commonly found. With high hopes for pygmies we made our way to the site. |
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| We soon found ourselves lost. We eventually found our way, but arrived very later than Phil and I had hoped. This would normally make me very frustrated, but for some reason I was calm and assured that all was proceeding as it should. We made our way down to the site and began the hunt. The time was 9:20 a.m. |
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At 9:55 I made the conscious decision to drastically change my tactics. The hunt began with the flipping of artificial cover. As Phil and I had seen both trapjaws and timbers in their natural state I decided that it may be best to continue my hunt in the same manner. At 9:57 I began to feel awkward. Dwight had moved towards a large pile of boulders. I knew he had pygmies on his mind and was onto something. I followed him, but space only allowed one person on the rock piles. I paused to look up and saw James and Katherine on their way down to the site. And so our party was six. At that very moment I heard the honking of Canadian geese. I looked up to see at least 75 birds in three V-shaped formations. We were in a low area surrounded by hills, and so their calls were amplified and echoed profusely. At the same time Phil exclaimed, “We’ve got company.” I gazed long and hard at the geese as they honked and flew over. |