Secretive serpents

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura) eating a Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means)

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Harlequin Coralsnake (Micrurus fulvius)

Harlequin Coralsnake (Micrurus fulvius)

Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps) female-left, male-right

Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps)

Northern Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus)

Northern Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus)

Northern Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus)

Northern Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus)

Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea)

Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea)

Mimic Glass Lizard and other highlights

Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)

Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)

Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)

Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)

Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)

Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)

Fernald's Pogonia (Pogonia bifaria)

Fernald's Pogonia (Pogonia bifaria)

Checkered beetle (Trichodes apivorus) on pipewort (Eriocaulon sp.) blossom 

Pricklypear (Opuntia humifusa)

Showy Milkwort (Polygala violacea)

melanistic Eastern Hognose (Heterodon platirhinos)

melanistic Eastern Hognose (Heterodon platirhinos)

Scarlet Kingsnake

Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides)

Summer

Florida Bog Frog (Lithobates okaloosae)

Southern Hognose Snake (Heterodon simus)

I took the bog frog photo with my old camera before I broke it, but never posted it. This is the species that brings me out to work many nights during the summer months. Night work is one way to beat the heat.
Southern Hognose Snakes seem to have a very high tolerance for direct sun in the heat of the day. They and Eastern Coachwhips (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) seem to be the only snakes I'll see in the middle of hot days, with coachwhips being by far the more commonly encountered of the two.

New camera

After the better part of a year of not having a camera due to mine being inundated with salt water, we finally have a new camera!  It's our first DSLR, and I have much to learn.  I've lucked out a few times already, and am enjoying learning.  I hope you enjoy these photos as well, and I'm all ears on tips you might have for me!

Bearded Grass-pink (Calopogon barbatus)

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

Whitetop Pitcherplant (Sarracenia leucophylla) flower

Gulf Crayfish Snake (Regina rigida sinicola)

Pale Shoulder Pitcherplant Moth (Exyra semicrocea)
in Whitetop Pitcherplant (Sarracenia leucophylla)

Black Skimmer (Rhynchops niger) pair in courtship flight

Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina)

Gulf Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia rosea) flower

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) in defensive posture

Whitemouth Dayflower (Commelina erecta)

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)

Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus utricularius)

Little Ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes tuberosa)

Razorback Musk Turtles in TX

Razorback Musk Turtle (Sternotheros carinatus)