Counting critters: The Kansas Herpetological Society takes a field trip

Brandon Low, Topeka, left, found several snakes including this coachwhip during a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25. About 185 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County.

About 185 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in a herpetological survey in western Russell County over the weekend.

Snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders were counted and collected on an 11,000-acre property. Journal-World chief photographer Mike Yoder captured video and photos from the expedition.

Photo gallery: Kansas Herpetological Society field trip

photo by: Mike Yoder

The Kansas Herpetological Society sponsored a field trip to survey snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County, April 25th and 26th.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A female collared lizard puts a bite on the hand of Grace Anne Johnson, Overland Park. Johnson found the lizard during a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25.

photo by: Mike Yoder

About 185 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County Saturday, April 25 and 26.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Ben Myers, a biology and zoology teacher at Blue Valley West High School shows a Great Plains skink to Blue Valley students on a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25. Over 100 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Justine Becker, a graduate student at Emporia State University looks an ornate box turtle during a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25. About 185 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County.

photo by: Mike Yoder

From left Keith Friesen Penner, Hesston and Shirley and Doug Hitt, Lecompton, search along the sides of a small canyon in western Russell county during a herpetological survey Saturday, April 25. Around 185 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Jackson Leibach, a KU freshman, Lenexa, and Rafe Brown, curator of herpetology at the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, lift up a rock to search for reptiles during a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25. Over 100 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A Great Plains narrow-mouthed toad sits in a hand after being found during a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Keith Friesen Penner, Hesston, left, and Doug Hitt, Lecompton, bag a ground snake during a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25. Over 100 participants joined the Kansas Herpetelogical Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County. .

photo by: Mike Yoder

A ringneck snake is captured by a participant in a weekend Kansas Herpetological Society survey in western Russell County.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A Great Plains skink.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A horned toad lizard sits in a hand after being found during a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Participants in a Kansas Herpetological Society survey return from a morning of collecting specimens near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25. Over 100 participants joined the KHS in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A bag of collected snakes is brought back for a counting and a show-n-tell time during a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25. Over 100 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County. .

photo by: Mike Yoder

A bullsnake moves in for a close-up photograph during a show-and-tell time at a herpetological survey near Russell, KS, Saturday, April 25. Around 185 participants joined the Kansas Herpetological Society in counting and collecting snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, skinks and salamanders on an 11,000 acre property in western Russell County.