Observations by bioguy

I have been seeing this water bird for the last few weeks and was not able to identify it because the books only show it in its breeding plumage. Please confirm this is a Horned Grebe in winter plumage.

I have been seeing this bird a lot at Lake Livingston State Park this year. It appears to be a Green Heron but the underside is very buff and I wanted help positively identifying this bird for our guests. Thanks!
-Park Ranger Joel Janssen

I found this specimen while leading a guided hike on the Oak Flats trail at LLSP. It is one of two specimens of this species I have encountered this spring. We like to teach patrons that this snake actually eats other snakes, including venomous ones. That makes them think twice about killing every snake they encounter, which seems to be the public's standard reaction to seeing a snake.

We had to move this snake because it was in a high traffic area frequented by Fishermen who would rather kill any snake they see than take the time to identify it. To our patrons every snake is either a cottonmouth or a rattlesnake and should be immediately dispatched. We try our best to educate them that not all snakes are venomous and why they should be left alone.

This was one of 6 Diamond Backed Water Snakes sunning themselves on floating debris at the edge of the water in LLSP that day. You can see dozens of these snakes in this one location on a good day. The patrons think every snake in the water is a Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth, but the yellow belly and bands clearly indicate this is either the non-venemous Diamond Backed Water Snake, or perhaps it is the "Banded Water Snake" and I have mid-identified it. Please let me know!

This Texas Coral Snake is eating a lizard and had the front half already down. He was at the base of an Oak on my property. About a month later I spotted a second individual about 200 yards away at the base of a different oak. Hopefully they are breeding in this area and can maintain a healthy population.

This is the second Texas Coral Snake I have found at the base of an Oak on my property. This one was in great condition and I found it on my birthday. I did not handle him and let him go about his business, which seemed to be looking for lizards in the holes at the base of the tree.