SLHS member spotlight: Kyran Leeker

Fall is always lovely in Missouri and southern Illinois. It is also a great time to get out and look for herps as they are on the move with the cooler weather looking for that last bit of warmth and their hibernaculums. When out herping please always be mindful of the rules of whatever your state laws are and get permission if you are on private property. Remember to leave the habitats as you found them when lifting logs and rocks in your search.

SLHS member Kyran Leeker spends much of his spare time out in the field herping. Along with his passion for reptiles and amphibians is an interest in getting that perfect photograph of these animals in their natural habitat. Get ready for some great indigenous herp eye candy. Enjoy!

Here's Kyran holding an Eastern Hognose. It is doing what it does best, playing dead!

What a stunning Three-toed Box Turtle! Good find.

Collared Lizard

Copperhead, close up and personal.

Cottonmouth agape.

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

Don't be fooled by the color. This is a Gray Tree Frog.

Red Milk Snake

Midland Painted Turtle

Hatchling Six-lined Racerunner

Eastern Garter Snake

Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle

Last but not least, a beautiful example of a Tiger Salamander.

These are all great examples of the herp related wildlife Missouri and Illinois has to offer. Get out there while the weather is still suitable and see what you can find! 

Thanks to Kyran Leeker for sharing his fantastic photos with us. If you are a SLHS member, and would like to have your photos from the field featured, contact the webmaster on the SLHS website. stlherpsociety.org