Snake Road & Southern Illinois October 1-6. The trip went something like this:

Western Cottonmouths were plentiful on day one at Snake Road, at least a dozen were seen. It was mostly sunny with temperatures in the upper 60s.

Western Cottonmouth "showing off."

A young Western Cottonmouth with a yellow tail.

Here's what the swamp looked like.

Young Black Rat Snake.

A baby Common Snapping Turtle found on Snake Road.

Green Treefrog on Poison Ivy.

Rough Green Snake.

Off-road I caught this large Plainbelly Water Snake.

As well as this brilliantly colored small one.

And I made friends with this dragonfly.

One of several Midland Water Snakes that I came across.

Eastern Fence Lizard.