Hi all,
I haven't put a post up in exactly a year so I will try and put everything from the year in one big post. There will be a few areas of Australia covered. I am still working in Mount Isa in North-west Queensland, however I am now living in Brisbane. This change has given me a lot more opportunities to herp different areas of Aus. I apologise to anyone with slow internet or not a lot of download availability, this post is huge.
First is the 2012/13 wet season in North-west Queensland. The wet season was a fail at the start of the year with one of our driest ever recorded, only 180mm (about 7 inches) with most of this falling in November/December 2012. Herping was still reasonable with quite a few finds.
Frogs from the Gregory River.
Litoria inermis by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ornate Burrowing Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Cyclorana novaehollandiae by R. Francis, on Flickr
A few reptiles from around Mount Isa up until the end of February 2013.
Mertens' Water Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Eremiascincus isolepis by R. Francis, on Flickr
Litoria coplandi by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ring-tailed Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ctenotus lateralis by R. Francis, on Flickr
Diplodactylus conspicillatus by R. Francis, on Flickr
Storrs Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Childrens Python by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Olive Python by R. Francis, on Flickr
Death Adder by R. Francis, on Flickr
Centralian Blue-tongue by R. Francis, on Flickr
Strophurus krisalys by R. Francis, on Flickr
Childrens Python eating a Cyclorana australis by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Freshwater Crocodile by R. Francis, on Flickr
Freshwater Crocodile by R. Francis, on Flickr
The next lot are from a trip to Longreach in Central Queensland.
Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Brigalow Beaked Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Knife-footed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Bynoe's Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Tree Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Broad-palmed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Broad-palmed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Tessalated Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Centralian Blue tongue by R. Francis, on Flickr
On the road to a pot of gold. by R. Francis, on Flickr
Back to Mount Isa for a few months.
Black-palmed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ctenotus pantherinus ocellifer by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mertans Water Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Sombre Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Myall Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Curl Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Delma nasuta by R. Francis, on Flickr
Sharp-snouted Delma by R. Francis, on Flickr
Lerista fragilis by R. Francis, on Flickr
Black-headed Python by R. Francis, on Flickr
Pygmy Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Pygmy Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Pygmy Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Sombre Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Worrells Turtle by R. Francis, on Flickr
Buzzing Tree Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Yellow-spotted Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Gehyra australis by R. Francis, on Flickr
Juvenile Oedura marmorata by R. Francis, on Flickr
Oedura marmorata by R. Francis, on Flickr
Oedura marmorata by R. Francis, on Flickr
Dajarra Death Adder by R. Francis, on Flickr
Bynoe's Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Bynoe's Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Black-palmed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Next are from a brief trip out to the Finke Desert near Alice Springs for the famous Finke Desert Race which some mates were riding in. It was getting close to winter and very little was out and about. We did the 700km drive through the night but saw nothing on the roads. I was lucky that our camp spot had a few sheets of tin nearby, but only found two species.
Morethia ruficauda by R. Francis, on Flickr
Morethia ruficauda by R. Francis, on Flickr
Geyhra variegata by R. Francis, on Flickr
The next couple are from a trip with some mates throughout the Gulf of Carpentaria, first was Lawn Hill National Park, then the Gregory River and finally up to the beach side town of Karumba. The mates were all southerners from Victoria and were keen to see some crocs and snakes, however they were not herpers just tourists. I was a bit sceptical as it was the middle of winter, however temperatures were pretty good in the mid 20's (Celsius). We did surprisingly well with 5 snake species and both fresh and salt water Crocs. No photos of the crocs however as they were quite skittish.
Dubious dtella by R. Francis, on Flickr
Greater Black Whip Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Greater Black Whip Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Arafura File Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Arafura File Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Keelback by R. Francis, on Flickr
A fish more than worthy to be here.
Coal Grunter by R. Francis, on Flickr
Litoria pallida by R. Francis, on Flickr
Cryptoblepharus metallicus by R. Francis, on Flickr
Two-lined Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Termite City by R. Francis, on Flickr
Now back to Mount Isa for my last few weeks of living there before moving to Brissy.
Freshwater Crocodile by R. Francis, on Flickr
Freshwater Crocodile by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ridge-tailed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ridge-tailed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ridge-tailed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ridge-tailed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Western Beaked Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Strophurus krisalys by R. Francis, on Flickr
Strophurus krisalys by R. Francis, on Flickr
Rock Ctenotus by R. Francis, on Flickr
Rock Ctenotus by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ridge-tail Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ridge-tail Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
A few from the drive from Mount Isa to Brisbane. Its a 2000km drive so I asked a mate where a good herping spot about half way would be and to camp for the night. He sent me to Blackdown Tablelands National Park and said its easy to get Rough Throated Leaf-tailed Geckos (Saltuarius salebrosus) there, he said he had 4 in 15 minutes. After 2 hours of looking I thought he was pulling my leg until I finally found one. Definitely worth the stop and a few other cool finds as well..
Litoria latopalmata by R. Francis, on Flickr
Salmon-striped Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Zigzag Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Zigzag Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Eulamprus brachysoma by R. Francis, on Flickr
leaf-tailed Gecko Habitat by R. Francis, on Flickr
Rough-throated Leaf-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Rough-throated Leaf-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Rough-throated Leaf-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Rough-throated Leaf-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Goodela Falls by R. Francis, on Flickr
I will put up another post for the herping adventure that was after this. For now its back to Mount Isa.
Gehyra robusta by R. Francis, on Flickr
Carlia amax by R. Francis, on Flickr
Carlia amax by R. Francis, on Flickr
These couple are from my Inlaws property about 200km west of Brisbane.
Three-clawed Worm-skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Eastern Water Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Eastern Water Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Echidna by R. Francis, on Flickr
Now some from a wetland only a few kilometres from Brisbane city.
Elegant Snake-eyed Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Elegant Snake-eyed Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Ramphotyphlops nigrescens by R. Francis, on Flickr
Juvenile Water Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Garden skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Garden Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Juvenile Grass Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
And Back to Mount Isa.
Gilberts Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Gilberts Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Marbled Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Beaked Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Beaked Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Worrells Turtle by R. Francis, on Flickr
Worrells Turtle by R. Francis, on Flickr
Fat-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Fat-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Pale-striped ground Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Pale-striped ground Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Strophurus taeniatus by R. Francis, on Flickr
Strophurus taeniatus by R. Francis, on Flickr
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Hosmers Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Hosmers Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Hosmers Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
These are starting to get into the 2013/14 wet season in Mount Isa. Starting around November.
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Sharp-snouted Delma by R. Francis, on Flickr
Sharp-snouted Delma by R. Francis, on Flickr
Northern Hooded Scaly-foot by R. Francis, on Flickr
Northern Hooded Scaly-foot by R. Francis, on Flickr
Gehyra robusta by R. Francis, on Flickr
Gehyra robusta by R. Francis, on Flickr
Hosmers Skink and the first storm of summer by R. Francis, on Flickr
Orange-naped Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Orange-naped Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Orange-naped Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Copland's Rock Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Frilled-neck Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Frilled-neck Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Frilled-neck Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr
Long-footed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Cyclorana sp. by R. Francis, on Flickr
Desert Tree Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Bandy Bandy by R. Francis, on Flickr
Bandy Bandy by R. Francis, on Flickr
Bandy Bandy by R. Francis, on Flickr
Long-footed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Marbled Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr
Sybella Sunset by R. Francis, on Flickr
That's it for Mount Isa.
A few from my parents property and home town, Dorrigo in New South Wales. The Dorrigo National Park is world heritage listed for its Gondwanan temperate Rainforest.
Green Stream Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Lace Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr
Verreaux's Tree Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Striped Marsh Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr
Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr
Red-bellied Black Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Murray's skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
The last couple are from the Christmas break. The Red-bellied Black Snake is from a creek crossing on my parents property. I have known the snake for as long as I can remember. This is it's sunning spot, I didn't pose it as the old man gets cranky if I play with his "mates". The Water Skink is from my Dad's pond in front of the house, unfortunately my brother brought a dog home a few months ago which chased the skinks and caused most of them to lose their tales. The Yellow faced Whip-snake is from my inlaws place.
Red Bellied Black Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Eastern Water Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr
Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr
Thanks for looking and apologies for making the post so long.
Cheers,
Ryan
Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Sweet Post! That porphyriacus is gorgeous. Have to herp Aussie, so many snakes I love.
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Awesome post man!! I really liked everything, particularly the monitors an the death adders. Except Costa Rica which I have been obsessed about for a couple of years Australia is where I'd love to herp most in the world.
- Mike VanValen
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Wow, great finds and photography. I'm a big varanid fan so I appreciate the variety. The frilled dragon is classic.
- Bostaff of Asclepius
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Absolutely - frickin' great stuff, well done!
- herpseeker1978
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Wow, just wow!
Josh
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Wonderful post! That has to be the first juvie glebopalma I have ever seen - was it out in the open or under a rock/in crack?
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Thanks for the comments everyone.Jeff Lemm wrote:Wonderful post! That has to be the first juvie glebopalma I have ever seen - was it out in the open or under a rock/in crack?
Jeff, it was sunning itself on top of a small ledge. I attempted to grab it after the voucher shot, however it quickly ran into a crack in the ledge. They are the fastest monitor I have ever seen and possibly one of the fastest herps I've seen.
- Mike Pingleton
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
wow, wonderful!
-Mike
-Mike
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Talk about a herpgasm WOW
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
This was a great post, top to bottom, but this photo.....
should be the photo of the year for the FHF.
Clearly a sign of photographic patience and skill.
should be the photo of the year for the FHF.
Clearly a sign of photographic patience and skill.
- Berkeley Boone
- Posts: 878
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Ryan-
That was stunning. Great photography all around. Like Chris and Josh said, that Cunningham's with the lightning was mindblowingly awesome- definitely should be FHF Pic of the Year!
That freshie looks like you caught it in it's first step of a hasty retreat back into the water... ha ha!
Any more photos of the turtles? I really enjoy the species you've got over there and would love to see more of them!
--Berkeley
That was stunning. Great photography all around. Like Chris and Josh said, that Cunningham's with the lightning was mindblowingly awesome- definitely should be FHF Pic of the Year!
That freshie looks like you caught it in it's first step of a hasty retreat back into the water... ha ha!
Any more photos of the turtles? I really enjoy the species you've got over there and would love to see more of them!
--Berkeley
- Will Wells
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Awesome post!!! It sucks seeing these pics during our winter since it fires me up to go out and photo the herps. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.
- AndyO'Connor
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Amazing post. That lightning shot is something special. What lens do you use for the herp in habitat and landscape shots?
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Thanks again for the comments everyone.
AndyO'Connor wrote:Amazing post. That lightning shot is something special. What lens do you use for the herp in habitat and landscape shots?
Just the cheapo canon 18-55mm. I have been planning for a wide angle or 24-105mm for a while but dont have the funds to do so. It does well for a cheap lens, but there are definitely better options.AndyO'Connor wrote:Amazing post. That lightning shot is something special. What lens do you use for the herp in habitat and landscape shots?
Thankyou for your kind words. No more turtle photos. There are only a few species in the northwest of QLD. I have caught a few of them but never had a camera. Hopefully get out and about on the east coast soon and find some more.Berkeley Boone wrote:Ryan-
That was stunning. Great photography all around. Like Chris and Josh said, that Cunningham's with the lightning was mindblowingly awesome- definitely should be FHF Pic of the Year!
That freshie looks like you caught it in it's first step of a hasty retreat back into the water... ha ha!
Any more photos of the turtles? I really enjoy the species you've got over there and would love to see more of them!
--Berkeley
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Wow, what wonderful finds and photography. You certainly found an incredible variety of animals in your time up north. Loved the Hosmer's and Dajarra Death Adder. I really want to return to that area again someday.
Regards,
David
Regards,
David
- PrimitiveTim
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Wow I have to go to Australia! That lightning shot! I've tried shooting lightning and could never get something like but then to put a lizard in the foreground!!! Be honest with us, is Australia just crawling in herps all the time?
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Come up David, Its a pretty easy place to herp compared to other areas of Aus.moloch wrote:Wow, what wonderful finds and photography. You certainly found an incredible variety of animals in your time up north. Loved the Hosmer's and Dajarra Death Adder. I really want to return to that area again someday.
Regards,
David
I wish, yes it is "crawling with herps". But they are generally the same things, you have to work hard for some. I have looked for certain herps for years before finding one, often finding them in a place i regularly look.PrimitiveTim wrote:Wow I have to go to Australia! That lightning shot! I've tried shooting lightning and could never get something like but then to put a lizard in the foreground!!! Be honest with us, is Australia just crawling in herps all the time?
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
I love these posts from Australia. You guys really have a load of stuff down there in addition to beautiful terrain. Some day.... I really like the gecko shots.
Roki
Roki
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
looking good mate
Cheers,
Scott
Cheers,
Scott
-
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
So much awesomeness!
Justin
Justin
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
Amazing... everything. Thanks for making this post & sharing your pics. Australia would be number 1 on my list of foreign destinations for dream herp trips.
- Crimson King
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
I could not agree more!chrish wrote:This was a great post, top to bottom, but this photo.....
should be the photo of the year for the FHF.
Clearly a sign of photographic patience and skill.
:Mark
- Daniel D Dye
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Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
WOW!! Extraordinary!! Breathtaking!! Just plain Awesome!!
Thanks,
Daniel
Thanks,
Daniel
Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)
One of the best posts I have ever seen. Many of these animals I've heard and read about, many more I haven't. Australia, herp mecca!
Thanks for the drool.
-Jake Scott
Thanks for the drool.
-Jake Scott