STRIPERS - TURTLES and GREEN MAMBA'S ?

[Tony Buzolich]

A better title might be Adventures With Your GrandKids.

This morning we got up early and headed over to the river. Even got grandma to come along and bring breakfast on the boat for us. The river is loaded with small stripers and I thought what a perfect time to get my grandson out again and catch some fish. Nothing serious today, just a fun morning getting kids started with fishing and learning about nature and the outdoors.

Bait is always a plus when trying to catch something and sardines were the preferred choice today. We found a sheltered spot along a bluff out of the wind and dropped anchor. Now the stinky part, cutting bait. But, we learned how to filet a sardine and throw a few scraps in the water for chum, and like magic, they came. Almost immediately. Before I could get a second rod set up Andrew had his first grab and hook-up and in came his first trophy of the day, a fine 12”-14” striped bass.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/_DSC0144_zps2ixqjhaz.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/_DSC0144_zps2ixqjhaz.jpg.html)

As quickly as I could get the second rod out, the first rod would go off again and in came another striper, and then another, and then both rods would get grabbed, and more of these juvenile stripers would attack our baits. What fun for a young kid of any age, even grandpa's and grandma's with cameras.

Next came a surprise with a much heavier catch that didn't fight much but was still something new to bring aboard.. A turtle of all things. And this while I'm still unhooking more stripers. Wow! Now a turtle crawling around the floor of the boat, grandma and kids side-stepping getting bit, and me trying to re-bait hooks. Kind of a Chinese Fire drill thing.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/_DSC0152_zpshtpoufaf.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/_DSC0152_zpshtpoufaf.jpg.html)

Now taking a break, with half a breakfast Hot-Pocket in his mouth, Andrew shouts “Look! A snake” and points toward the bank where we see young King snake crawling out of the water. Quite striking with those black and white bands of color. After some closer inspection and a few more picture it's decided to head home. Grandma's happy too as it's getting hot and the wind it picking up.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/_DSC0176_zpsfhkxedqb.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/_DSC0176_zpsfhkxedqb.jpg.html)

Before I can start the motor I hear “Look, another snake!”. This one too is crawling up from bank toward higher ground but looks unusual. There are no markings, only an olive green skin with a slightly yellow belly. I'd never seen anything like one of these except on hunting shows in Africa. Mamba! A baby green mamba. Same shape head, same colors, and moved very fast as it slithered up the side of the bank.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/_DSC0180_zps0min5ofw.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/_DSC0180_zps0min5ofw.jpg.html)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/_DSC0185_zpsljmnlbol.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/_DSC0185_zpsljmnlbol.jpg.html)

A couple more quick pictures and we decide it had to be a water snake, maybe ? I'm sure we don't have green mambas around the Feather river,,,,,, but I've never seen one of these before.

It's almost 9:00 am and time to quit fishing, and Andrew has had enough nature for one day. Any idea what that snake might be ?
Tony

[DLJeff]

Western Yellow Bellied Racer

http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/c.c.mormon.html

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Lots of cool wildlife out there...thanks Tony.

[Ed Wahl]

That sounds like a perfect morning! Good going Grandpa!

[STEELIES/26c3]

Nice photos and yep definitely a yellow bellied racer...
Both it and the kingsnake are harmless snakes. The red-eared slider is more harmful but mostly to native turtles and other herps and aquatic organisms like the western pond turtle which it has largely displaced due to pet owners releasing their no-longer-wanted pets and the fact that they are more aggressive and adaptable than many of the turtles which actually DO belong in California waterways...

[Tony Buzolich]

Are you saying that turtle (red-eared slider) is not native and may have come from a pet store? He definitely was aggressive. I had to use a rag to hold him as his hind legs were quite strong with long nails.
Tony

[STEELIES/26c3]

Are you saying that turtle (red-eared slider) is not native and may have come from a pet store? He definitely was aggressive. I had to use a rag to hold him as his hind legs were quite strong with long nails.
Tony

Yessir~

Native to states from New Mexico to Georgia and as far north as Iowa and as far south as Texas. The problem is that they live for up to 50 years and so outlast their keeper's desire for a tank-bound pet which doesn't say or do too much like; mew, woof, lick, slobber or wag a tail... so into the local drink it goes.

Here's a map of the US showing states the turtles are native to and those they have been introduced to.

http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall01%20projects/reslidermap.jpg.JPG

[Randy Lee]

Hi Tony,
Two out of three of my favorite snakes. Whip snake being the third. Good luck for your team seeing both in the same day. Clearly no bananas in the boat! I did notice no water droplets on the snakes.....just kidding Tony and Bill. Great outing! Many times its more than just the fish.
Randy Lee