Member spotlight, Margaret Liu

Margeret Liu will be running for the SLHS board position of Member at Large this December so we thought this would be an excellent opportunity to introduce her. Margaret grew up in Taiwan then spent some time in Massachusetts before settling down here in St. Louis. She is a freelance photographer and digital artist and does eye lens research in the department of ophthalmology at Washington University. Recently she joined other SLHS members on the annual trek down to Snake Road in Southern Illinois. Below are some excellent captures of some of the animals she came across that day. Scroll further down to meet some of the critters she shares her home with. For other examples of Margaret's photography and fantastic artwork please visit her website http://www.margsliu.com Be sure to check out her blog too which is linked from her website.

Copperhead

 Cottonmouth

Juvenile cottonmouth

Leopard frog

A copperhead who has already found his winter home.

Green tree snake

Gray treefrog

Copperhead

Here's a great shot to give you an idea of what snake road looks like.

It is a lovely 5 mile hike with plenty to see.

Meet Margaret's critter family.

Skittles, the panther chameleon

Twiggy, the black rat snake

And just in time for Halloween, a Costa Rican tiger rump tarantula.

Thank you, Margaret, for sharing your snake road experience and wonderful photographs!

October 11th General Meeting. Movie Night!

It is time for the SLHS 2nd annual fall movie night. Instead of a speaker this month we will be showing a reptile-themed horror flick. This year's feature will be "The Giant Gila Monster." It is a 1959 bad B-movie classic. Bring a snack and enjoy. Meeting is October 11th at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Rd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a short meeting beginning at 7. Then... movie time!

Here is a link for more info on the movie The Giant Gila Monster.

Photo by Josh Higgins

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