Field Trip to Red Slough

[Snakeman]

We are tentatively planning a trip on Thursday, May 13 to Red Slough Wildlife Management Area in McCurtain County to observe herps and try to view alligators. There is no guarantee that we will be able to see any alligators, but this is the best location in the state to have a good chance at spotting one of our rarest reptiles. If time permits, there are a few other interesting places to herp nearby. Any herping done in the WMA or NWR is strictly observation--nothing may be collected!

Here is the Forest Service site on Red Slough. Be sure to check out the photos linked on the left side of the page.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/natura ... info.shtml

Here is another gallery of photos, mostly taken at Red Slough, by David Arbour.

http://www.pbase.com/sloughbirder/root

The current plan is to leave around 7:00 AM and arrive a little before noon. We will hike into the WMA (about a mile or so) to some of the more likely spots. There will be plenty of other wildlife to see, even if the gators are hiding. McCurtain County is home to many species that are found nowhere else in our state. We are likely to see ibis, moorhens, anhinga, broad banded water snakes, cottonmouth, green treefrogs, bowfin, dwarf palmettos and many other unusual animals and plants.

If we are fortunate enough to see an alligator during the day, we will plan to be home around 10:00 PM. If we don't spot a gator, we can stay until after dark and try again, but that will mean arriving back in OKC well after midnight.

Let me know if you are interested in joining this expedition. Nothing is set in stone, so arrival and departure times may be changed a bit. If weather prevents us going, we will try to reschedule within a few weeks.

Carpooling arrangements will be made after we have a good idea of how many are going.

bryan@alligatoralley.com

Bryan Swinney
Alligator Alley / Amazing Gardens
http://www.AlligatorAlley.com Oklahoma's Reptile Experts!
http://www.AmazingGardens.com Winter-Hardy Palms etc.
4636 NW 10th Street, OKC, OK 73127
Phone (405)949-2553


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[okherp]

Why does it have to be on a Thursday? I can't get away during the week until after school ends (May 25).

Why not that Saturday, May 15?

[Snakeman]

Richard,
When I talked with Bryan and ask him if he would set this up and be our guide (Bryan is very familiar with Red Slough); I ask him to pick a date that would work best for him since he has to take off work also, to do this for us.
It works better for him to be off work on a weekday.
If you've ever been to Alligator Alley on a Saturday, you would understand. He needs to be at work on Saturdays.
Thanks again Bryan for doing this.

[Barry]

Larry, I looked at those photo links, looks like the area has incredible potential

[Snakeman]

Barry,
If reputation has anything to do with it, it's one of the best places for wildlife in the state.

[snakefreak]

Aww! It has to be a school day! Man, I was really looking forward to this, but I definately understand what you mean about Saturdays at Alligator Alley. I have a percussion concert that I am performing in on May 13 as well. I hope we can go sometime on a weekend.

[Snakeman]

Great News!

David Arbour of the ODWC has graciously offered to meet up with us on our field trip to Red Slough on May 13. David is a true master naturalist and gifted wildlife photographer who works at the wildlife management area. With David guiding us we are almost certain to see alligators (without needing to stay after dark and arrive home in the early morning hours).

Check out some of his most recent Oklahoma alligator photos here:

http://www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma/alligators

And more spectacular wildlife photos in the other galleries:

http://www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma/root

If you are planning to go, please email me or post to the forum if you have not already.

Bryan
Bryan Swinney
Alligator Alley / Amazing Gardens
http://www.AlligatorAlley.com Oklahoma's Reptile Experts!
http://www.AmazingGardens.com Winter-Hardy Palms etc.
4636 NW 10th Street, OKC, OK 73127
Phone (405)949-2553

[gatsu7]

I am planning on going to this.

[Bryan]

There is a little more than a week to go until our alligator viewing field trip to Red Slough--Thursday May 13. Anyone interested in participating should let me know within the next few days, if you haven't already. Here is some more information for those who are planning to go.

We will meet at Alligator Alley, 4636 NW 10th Street at 6:45 AM and leave at 7:00. Park on the west (asphalt) lot along Evan Hale Road. I will be there, rain or shine and we can decide at that time whether to make the trip if the weather is an issue. We will probably stop for a short break somewhere on the turnpike, and eat a fast food lunch in Idabel before getting to our destination. We will plan to stop for dinner on the drive home.

If you are willing to drive, please let me know how many people your vehicle will hold. My truck has six seat belts, but several of those seats make airline seating look spacious. If others are willing to drive and have more comfortable seating we'll try to use the most comfortable vehicle(s) available.

Please plan to chip in for gas, if you are not driving your own vehicle. We will be making a round trip of about 600 miles. Gas and tolls are a significant expense that should be shared.

Some things you should bring for the trip:

A full canteen or at least two water bottles. Red Slough is quite remote and we will be a mile or more from the vehicle(s) for an hour or two, possibly more.
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Comfortable walking shoes, sun hat, and clothes that you don't mind possibly damaging or getting wet.
Rain coat or Poncho--Just in case
Backpack or fanny pack
Camera
Binoculars
Snacks for the trip and to share
Money for gas and meals
A small pillow, unless you are driving We'll be on the road for more than eight hours. It will be a long day.

I currently have Larry, Alice, Catherine, Emily(?) and Michael on my list of members who are or were planning to go. Let me know of any additions or deletions, especially if I have forgotten anyone.


Bryan Swinney
Alligator Alley / Amazing Gardens
http://www.AlligatorAlley.com Oklahoma's Reptile Experts!
http://www.AmazingGardens.com Winter-Hardy Palms etc.
4636 NW 10th Street, OKC, OK 73127
Phone (405)949-2553



Become a fan of ALLIGATOR ALLEY on FACEBOOK for exclusive updates and specials!

[okie alice]

Thank you for the list, Bryan, and I will need to ride with someone. I missed not having dry clothes to change into on the PR trip. Better get my gear ready.