TUESDAY
Tuesday saw temperatures in the mid 60s and somewhat windy conditions. Things started to pick up a bit on Snake Road.

Blanchard's Cricket Frogs were regularly seen around mud puddles.

Several Western Cottonmouths were out and about. They blend in well with their muddy surroundings. Sometimes the first thing you see is the classic way they make you aware of their presence - with a flash of white.

These snakes tend to stand their ground and not flee when approached.

A number of Western Ribbon Snakes were active too.

A view of the limestone bluffs.

Here's a Plainbelly Water Snake "on the crawl."

I decided that I needed a closer look at this cool serpent.

This is probably a naturally-occurring intergrade between a Yellowbelly Water Snake and a Copperbelly Water Snake.

One of three Eastern Garter Snakes, I thought this one was quite attractive.

When they feel threatened, these snakes will sometimes flatten out their bodies to appear larger.

A fine young Southern Black Racer.

Mississippi Green Water Snakes are listed as "threatened" in Illinois, the northernmost edge of their range. Two juveniles were seen on Tuesday.

The last snake of the day was this large, dark Western Cottonmouth.

These herpers came all the way from Ontario to check out what was up at Snake Road.