A plains garter snake near Wood River, Nebraska.

This is the time of year that many animals are making final preparations for winter.  Many snakes, including this plains garter snake, are heading for winter hibernacula – caverns, burrows, or similar places, where they cluster together in large numbers to spend the long winter months.  This snake was laying on the gravel parking lot of our equipment shop this week.  It didn’t seem to feel like moving, so I grabbed the camera and photographed it for a few minutes.  I imagine it was hoping to find a last minute meal before heading underground, so I didn’t keep it long.  Maybe I’ll see it again in the spring.