I'm pretty proud of myself. The only distinguishing, really, thing i noticed about the differences between T. s. pickeringi and T. s. sirtalis were the 7 cs 8 upper labials. I wasn't going to say anything, since I'm so new, but since that is a distinguisher, I'm proud I noticed it! They are so genetically similar, but that is a difference enough I can see where the difference is. Strange that along with only a slight color variance, would be the thing that stands out for them. Must be very had to notice on the fly while herping!

There are *so* many sub-species.

As for the beauty pictured here, the T. elegans vagrans...I lived in Silver Lake WA for a year, worked in Kelso/Longview, and banked in Chehalis..lol....and I found there to be a significant climate change between Chehalis and Portland area. To me, it felt like passing a barrier on the I-5 in regard to weather. Perhaps the snakes are more sensitive to that kind of thing than we give them credit for. I *loved* WA weather, and was very attuned to the changes when I'd drive down the I-5 or up, or even more inland. I could see why she wouldn't want to go down past Lewis county!

On a second thought, I wonder if Mt St Helens and the Toutle river have anything to do with it.