On our third day of herping, we traveled west, across the Mississippi River, and into the Show-Me state. I have herped in Missouri many times, but never in the spring. I was very excited about this opportunity to go there in the spring, which is the most productive time of year for finding Reptiles and Amphibians.

Our first stop was at Mingo Wildlife Refuge, a huge Cyprus swamp in southeast Missouri. Many interesting things can be found here, including the Broad Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata confluens) which was something that I really wanted to see that day.

Mingo has some rocky bluffs located adjacent to the swamp, and this area was our first destination. Adam and I started by walking the base of the bluffs, to see if any critters might be poking their heads out. After seeing many Blanchards Cricket Frogs, Adam finally spotted this Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) sitting on a rock near a large puddle.

Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)

Stoddard County, Missouri

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After a little more looking around the bluffs, we decided to go into a swampier area. After a good look at the surrounding areas, we came to a place that had many puddles and downed logs and things that herpers like to see. Somehow, I knew that this area would yield some salamanders. Sure enough, under the first log I rolled, I found a Smallmouth Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) which was a lifer for me.

Smallmouth Salamander (Ambystoma texanum)

Wayne County, Missouri

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A few minutes later, Adam yelled, "SPOTTED SALAMANDER!" He had found this tiny little Spotted Salamander under another log, another lifer for me!

Ambystoma maculatum

Wayne County, Missouri

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While I was photographing the Spotted, Adam started turning up more salamanders. It seemed like every log he turned had something under it. Before long, he had found four more Smallmouth Salamanders, and 7 Marbled Salamanders! All these salamanders were found very near each other. Somehow I had a feeling about this spot, and it turned out to be right.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)

Wayne County, Missouri

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Now that's a lot of opacum

One of the other Smallmouths

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Next, we walked for a while along the shore of the Mingo River. I spotted this Yellowbelly Water Snake resting on a dead tree near the water.

Yellowbelly Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster)

Wayne County, Missouri

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That's me with the same snake as above.

We headed back to the car, and drove around on the maze of roads through the swamp. At one point, I wanted to get out and search a very good looking swamp area, with a lot of downed logs. After a few logs, Keith and I found two more Spotted Salamanders under consecutive logs.

Ambystoma maculatum

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A little later, under another log, I found a Mole Salamander. This was the last of the Ambystoma species that I had hoped to find on this trip, and another lifer for me.

Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum)

Stoddard County, Missouri

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We decided to move on to our next spot, despite the fact we had not seen a Broad Banded Water Snake. Before we got too far, a truck about 100 yards in front of us swerved from one side of the road to the other. Everyone in our car knew what had happened, and we were right. The truck had swerved to purposely hit a Western Cottonmouth that was crossing the road. The snake was still alive and crawling when we came upon it, but not for long.

As we approached the exit to the refuge, I spotted a small snake crossing the road. I was very pleased when I got closer to it, and saw this:

Nerodia fasciata confluens

Stoddard County, Missouri

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A Broad Banded Water Snake! The snake that I most wanted to see, and just in the nick of time, and yet another lifer for me.

I was much happier traveling to the next location after finding that, after all, it was the whole reason we went to Mingo.

Our next stop was in Madison County, Missouri. None of us had ever been there, but we were going on a hunch from a magazine article Keith had read. In the picture, there were many flat rocks, and a creek, which looked like prime snake habitat.

On the hike, we saw a few Gray Treefrogs and Northern Redbelly Snakes.

Hyla versicolor

Madison County, Missouri

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Northern Redbelly Snake (Storeria o. occipitomaculata)

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After a half hour hike, we were greeted by beautiful scenery, the exact place Keith had seen in the magazine.

Madison County, Missouri

While the others took a break by the creek, I started flipping rocks and logs on the hillside. I quickly found some Southern Redback and Western Slimy Salamanders. After hearing of my success, the others came over to join me, and Adam found a few salamanders as well.

Western Slimy Salamander (Plethodon albagula)

Madison County, Missouri

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Southern Redback Salamander (Plethodon serratus)

Madison County, Missouri

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It was getting dark, and we had to get a motel room, so we called it quits for the day or so we thought.

Adam and I noticed Spring Peepers calling from a pond behind our motel. We were able to catch a few of them, and also saw Southern Leopard Frogs, and Green Frogs.

Northern Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer)

Madison County, Missouri

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That was the end to our third day of the trip. If the next day was as good as any of the last three, we were in store for a treat!

To be concluded Part 3 coming soon.