Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

This Red-sided Garter Snake was the only one that "cooperated" yesterday on our Snake Monitoring session. Usually, after they have been measured, recorded and released on the far side of the metal fence in the hibernaculum, they slither away at top speed. This one stayed right where it was, giving me a rare chance to get a few shots. Red-sided Garter Snakes are common but in localized populations in Alberta.

A Red-sided Garter Snake being held so that it could be measured, marked and recorded. These really are attractive snakes - and those are words coming from someone with a fear of snakes, LOL! The Wandering Garter Snakes are a different matter - I just cannot get comfortable with those AT ALL, especially the larger, fat females - ugh! We saw about 57 snakes yesterday, a mixture of both species of Garter Snake. For anyone who has never tried to photograph a snake, you (or at least I) have to take lots of shots in the hope of getting one half decent image. These reptiles do not like being held and they writhe and twist. Every once in a while, one will be a bit calmer, thank goodness.

There were something like eight or nine of these snakes caught inside one of the wooden traps at a hibernaculum that I was at two days ago. I was attempting to get a few photos, while others caught, measured and recorded each snake found.

Another photo of one of the Red-sided Garter Snakes found in the hibernaculum in a local park. Think I might just have to ask a trusted friend to hold one of these snakes for me on one of the monitoring days, in the hope that I might even be able to get a supermacro image! Not that I exactly fancy being a couple of inches away from a snake! Anything for a photo, right? Maybe... Red Sided Garter Snake Identifying Features: Body is very slender, average length is 460 to 1300 mm Background colour is dark olive green to black Dull yellow or brown stripe on the back fades towards the tail Red or orange bars appear on the sides Dark spots appear on the back, throat is whitish Females are larger than males Diet is insects, worms, fish, amphibians, small birds and mammals Jaws can dislocate to spread far apart, enabling the snake to consume prey larger than its mouth Information from www.friendsoffishcreek.org/

A friend held this Red-sided Garter Snake today after it had been measured and recorded, so that I could try and take a photo of it. Almost impossible to get a focus on it, as it was constantly swaying.

Despite my fear of snakes, I have to say that this Red-sided Garter Snake seen today on our Snake Monitoring session, was absolutely beautiful. It had just been caught, measured, recorded and released over the hibernaculum fence.