After a carpool in Hailey, a drive down Hwy 93 through the lava fields and then the rolling hills of potato fields just starting up after a long Winter, we met at the Idaho Fish and Game headquarters in Jerome.
Giving the class lecture was Chuck Peterson, Professor of Biological Sciences at Idaho State University.
An interesting show on species distribution and characteristics in the Northwest of amphibians and reptiles. With amazing compilations of years of study and radio tracking made for a riviting learning experience.
With live specimens in hand, Chuck even allowed us to safely examine a rattlesnake closeup.
Sliding a tube over the head of the snake allowed it to be handled safely.
After a brownbag lunch, we headed down to a Fish and Game preserve down into the canyon of the Snake River, south of Wendel.
Spring runoff had the river roaring.
We headed out into the preserve, noting that we ourselves were being observed.
First specimen was a toad, checked for health and sex.
And a young gopher snake
After a bit of traipsing, we headed back to the vehicles, watched by a growing number of locals.
On the way out, we had to stop to remove an adamant gopher snake about 3 feet long from the road.
Adding a new link in the link section to the diverse Idaho Atlas web site.
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