Blackwell Swamp

I collected these while avoiding the alligators and snakes on Sunday

What's that cute fish in the bottom photos?

That's a Juvenile warmouth

I was avoiding these when I trapped the fish

Edited by CaptainCaveman, 14 April 2011 - 12:11 AM.

Those last photos crack me up

It's hard for humans to avoid snakes when collecting in this part of the country - we pretty much ignore each other and try to stay out of each other's way. Gators are less often encountered. At least we don't have to deal with Shistosomes and other nasties of similar ilk...

I've always wondered how y'all avoid the gators while collecting down there.

In Blackwell Swamp there's just a few big ones around, and it's pretty much the only place in the Tennessee Valley you'll find them. The snakes are another questions, they're always around and you just have to hang loose and react quickly to their arrival (sudden discovery?). In Florida or along the coast, that's different with lots of alligators...

Certainly adds to the adventure! Awesome photos.

Does anyone know if the red swamp crayfish are native there?

Todd

Nice pics, especially those of the green sunfish, the crayfish with the red, and the predators . I'm kinda glad all we have to deal with up here are the odd snapping turtle and gar

Man, does that Greeny get me excited for when I get my own! Beutiful fish!

I've always wondered how y'all avoid the gators while collecting down there.

When I was in Africa, many moons ago, the joke was that you didn't have to be faster than the lion, just faster than the slowest person in your party.

I like to go out collecting with someone who gets totally absorbed in what he/she's doing, and is not quick of foot.

But they're getting progressively harder to find.

When I was in Africa, many moons ago, the joke was that you didn't have to be faster than the lion, just faster than the slowest person in your party.

I like to go out collecting with someone who gets totally absorbed in what he/she's doing, and is not quick of foot.

But they're getting progressively harder to find.

ROTFLMAO! We have a similar saying up hear about the bears.

That is a beautiful water moccasin, and a very healthy one at that. All of the water moccasins I see are a dull black. Unusual for it to be out in the day like that, as they are nocturnal. Probably be the cool weather. They are some of the quirkiest snakes I know. Just look at the way the one facing the camera is checking you out. I have seen them sink full fangs into a bass on a stringer that was longer than it was and bigger around than 20 snakes that size and just hang there for several minutes. They can swallow awfully big prey but that was ridiculous, with no possibility of even getting the whole fishes head in its mouth. I guess the old poem had some element of truth. Once they know you see them and you approach anyway they start showing a little more respectful fear, but still the least predictable snake I know, as if there is intelligence behind their aggression. They have no interest in attacking and will try to keep a minimum safe distance from you, but are curious and bad news if they find themselves too close to you for any reason. No matter what anybody says they can and will bite underwater. Seen them do it for no apparent reason to that bass on a stringer, with full fangs. They often hibernate in large groups, even with other snakes, and springtime when they are coming out of hibernation is when it is most dangerous, as they are sluggish and not as likely to notice you and get out of the way till it is too late.

Oh, by the way, I am the slow guy. A few metal screws to put my foot back together tends to do that, but I do not mind.