I caught a few fish on this trip, like this Stoneroller, its name comes from the behavior of the male excavating a nest by moving gravel with its nose.

Striped Shiner - this rather deep-bodied minnow has large, silvery scales that are are generally much higher than they are wide.

Green Sunfish can be found in any pond, lake, or stream that is capable of supporting fish life.

Blanchard's Cricket Frogs could be found around many small waterways.

On the final day of the trip, I visted this glade in Missouri.

An adult Texas Brown Tarantula. This stocky, hairy species is Missouri's largest spider.

Lined Snakes are typically less than a foot long and feed almost exclusively on earthworms.

One of several Prairie Lizards seen on the outing.

An adult Eastern Yellowbelly Racer. Racers have a slender body, proportionately long tail, and smooth scales.

Bess Beetles - these insects spend the majority of their lives inhabiting rotten logs and provide an immensely beneficial forest service by recycling dead wood material. Adults produce a distinct squeaking or hissing sound when disturbed.

The Speckled Kingsnake is an easy to identify medium-to-large, shiny black snake covered with small yellow spots.

There were many "hoppers" seen on the trip, such as this Greater Angle-winged Katydid.

A sharp looking juvenile Prairie Racerunner that we managed to catch. This species is known for its lightning quick speed – they've been clocked at 18 mph.

Young Racers are born with blotches which fade as the snake matures.

Wrinkled Grasshoppers have interesting intricate patterns.

A second Speckled Kingsnake - this reptile kills its prey by constriction. Its foods include small rodents, lizards and other snakes, including venomous species such as Copperheads, Cottonmouths and Rattlesnakes. It is immune to the venom of snakes living in its home range.

The Great Spangled Fritillary is a large orange and brown butterfly that can be seen coast to coast across the northern half of the United States and into southern Canada.

We ended the trip with this spectacular baby Red Milksnake.

See you next time, Snake Road!

Click here to see photos from 2022