Brown phase. Pale, reduced dorsal stripe, prominent checkers intruding into dorsal stripe, chalky/pastel background colour, top of head is pale (i.e. not black).
This site is fully within the Appalachian range and within the area typically mapped as ssp. pallidulus, which makes sense. While I think the southern and western boundaries of this subspecies have been poorly mapped, all snakes seen at this site were textbook. It makes sense to expect the contact zone between sirtalis and pallidulus to be farther west, corresponding to the boundary between the Appalachian range and the St. Lawrence lowlands.
One of several in a small dugout pit filled with water.
One of several in a small dugout pit filled with water. This one thinks it's hiding.
Lifer for me, and as far as I can tell, the first record from the Le Pinacle subpopulation in quite a while. Last few pictures are habitat shots.
This frog was found under cover in a forest stream.
For a contrast in variability in the species, see this individual found nearby:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/147085809
Under cover ~ 5m from a stream.
Under cover adjacent to a stream.
Under some cobbles in a wet seep, not particularly close to an active stream.
Surprise dans un talus lors d'un inventaire de libellules
Surprise in a slope during a dragonfly survey
This frog was in a grassy, partially shaded upland area.
For a contrast in variability in the species, see this individual found nearby:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/147126074