Garter Snakes Mating

Our huge snow pack in the Bear Lake Valley melted fast.  While there is still snow in the mountains, here on the valley floor we are dealing with a lot of water, and the smaller members of our wildlife community are appearing.

I was driving around the valley looking for photos of the flooded fields when I spotted these two intertwined common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) that had probably just emerged from hibernation.

I assumed they were mating, but after reading about them it is possible they were huddled together for warmth in our cold climate.  Some males are able to produce female pheromones which attract other males away from the den.  Then the first male ditches the pheromones and races back to the den where he hopes to have the females to himself.  This same technique tricks other males into “warming up” the trickster.

These snakes were very patient with me.  When I got down to their level, the smaller one stretched out toward the lens curiously, and I wonder if he was looking at his reflection.  Also, I wonder about the dusty color of these usually brilliant snakes.  Could it be that after emerging from hibernation their colors are dull until after they molt?  I just don’t know.

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Bald Eagles

It has been very cold here, minus 20 degrees F two nights ago.  Today was overcast with light snow, so it warmed up to about plus 10 degrees F.  Much more comfortable, but the little bit of light was completely flat.

I discovered four bald eagles near Ovid, Idaho with a small kill.

Two left as soon as I stopped my truck, but the other two took turns pushing each other off the kill.

The eagle on the ground defended itself from the aerial attack, but would usually be pushed away.

There didn't seem to be any hard feelings.  The eagle that had been pushed off the kill would wait awhile then try again.  Meanwhile, the magpies all waited for leftovers.

These photos were taken with an ancient Sigma 170-500 lens from the cab of my truck.  The heavy lens was hand held, braced on a Puffin Pad, which is a soft base that hooks onto the truck window.  The old lens lacks contrast in conditions as dark and flat as these, so some adjustments were made in Photoshop Elements.