Using snake tongs, we moved the snake up on a bench of rock, and put a large plant saucer over it. We placed a rock on top and let the snake rest in the dark while we grabbed some pictures of the opaque Milksnake and another one found nearby. There's no point in stressing the rattler, or any other herp for that matter, more than is necessary.

Time to get in position for more photographs. The rock and saucer are carefully lifted...I don't think I've seen a prettier horridus. This was a male, about a yard in length, a beast in the prime of life. His head shone like gold any time the sun struck it. This was the snake I had came to see.

Our picture taking done, we let the rattlesnake crawl back under the rock shelf it was basking beside. Not too shabby for a half hour up the hill - our alternative plan was working out pretty well. We had more hillside to work.

This side of the hill, given the southeastern exposure, reminded me of the cedar glades down in Missouri. I think we were all surprised when Jim found a large Texas Brown Snake under a flat rock. The dry soil and warm conditions were not the typical habitat for Storeria. Jeff turned up another fair-sized Brownie a few minutes later. Perhaps these were gravid females seeking warmer temperatures to cook some babies...

Up to the cap rocks near the top of the hill, and Matt found another seemingly out-of-place critter. Gray Treefrogs do quite well away from standing water, but I never expected to see one perched on a cedar tree branch near the top of a hot dry hill!

Jim found a beautiful neonate Milksnake on the way back down the hill. I was getting to see my share of triangulum this day. It was late afternoon now, and we stopped off down at the farm house to drink some ice-cold well water before we tackled the adjacent slope.