Pomona Natural Bridge was a cool place to investigate.

Cave Salamanders are exceptionally slender, brightly colored and are usually around 6 inches in length as adults.

The Western Ribbon Snake has a striped body and a very long tail, which makes up nearly a third of its total length.

Wild Asters were a common sight while hiking on trails.

A young Rat Snake that still strongly retains its juvenile patterning.

The Slimy Salamander might be better named if it were called the “Sticky Salamander,” because it secretes a glue-like substance from its skin when threatened.

A Cottonmouth masquerading as a Mangshan Pit Viper.

Question Mark Butterflies were a common sight.

I decided to take a drive to Missoiri and check out this wildlife preserve.

An adult male melanistic Red-ear Slider hanging out with a juvenile of the same species.

My first-ever Missouri snake was this "lifer" Broad-banded Water Snake.

Small Red Morning Glory was in bloom in some of the spots that I visited.

American Toad.

An odd, but cool Conehead Katydid.

A Cottonmouth illustrating how it recived its common name.

Green Sunfish can be found in very muddy waters and are able to tolerate poor water conditions.

I also visited this prairie habitat while in The Show-Me State.

This Cardinal Jumper was sporting Halloween colors.

Ivy-leaf Morning Glory.

A juvenile Southern Black Racer.

Reindeer Lichen.

Click here to see Part 3