Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
speedy
Posts: 77
Joined: May 26th, 2012, 6:44 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by speedy »

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.
Image
Litoria inermis by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ornate Burrowing Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Cyclorana novaehollandiae by R. Francis, on Flickr


A few reptiles from around Mount Isa up until the end of February 2013.
Image
Mertens' Water Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Eremiascincus isolepis by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Litoria coplandi by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ring-tailed Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ctenotus lateralis by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Diplodactylus conspicillatus by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Storrs Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Childrens Python by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Olive Python by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Death Adder by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Centralian Blue-tongue by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Strophurus krisalys by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Childrens Python eating a Cyclorana australis by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Freshwater Crocodile by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Freshwater Crocodile by R. Francis, on Flickr

The next lot are from a trip to Longreach in Central Queensland.

Image
Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Brigalow Beaked Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Knife-footed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Bynoe's Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Tree Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Broad-palmed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Broad-palmed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Tessalated Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Centralian Blue tongue by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
On the road to a pot of gold. by R. Francis, on Flickr


Back to Mount Isa for a few months.

Image
Black-palmed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ctenotus pantherinus ocellifer by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mertans Water Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Sombre Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Myall Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Curl Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Delma nasuta by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Sharp-snouted Delma by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Lerista fragilis by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Black-headed Python by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Pygmy Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Pygmy Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Pygmy Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Sombre Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr


Image
Worrells Turtle by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Buzzing Tree Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Yellow-spotted Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Gehyra australis by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Juvenile Oedura marmorata by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Oedura marmorata by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Oedura marmorata by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Dajarra Death Adder by R. Francis, on Flickr


Image
Bynoe's Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Bynoe's Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
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.

Image
Morethia ruficauda by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Morethia ruficauda by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
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.

Image
Dubious dtella by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Greater Black Whip Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr


Image
Greater Black Whip Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Arafura File Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Arafura File Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Keelback by R. Francis, on Flickr

A fish more than worthy to be here.
Image
Coal Grunter by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Litoria pallida by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Cryptoblepharus metallicus by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Two-lined Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Termite City by R. Francis, on Flickr



Now back to Mount Isa for my last few weeks of living there before moving to Brissy.

Image
Freshwater Crocodile by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Freshwater Crocodile by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ridge-tailed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ridge-tailed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ridge-tailed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ridge-tailed Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Western Beaked Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Strophurus krisalys by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Strophurus krisalys by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Rock Ctenotus by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Rock Ctenotus by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ridge-tail Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
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..

Image
Litoria latopalmata by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Salmon-striped Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Zigzag Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Zigzag Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Eulamprus brachysoma by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
leaf-tailed Gecko Habitat by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Rough-throated Leaf-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Rough-throated Leaf-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Rough-throated Leaf-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Rough-throated Leaf-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
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.


Image
Gehyra robusta by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Carlia amax by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Carlia amax by R. Francis, on Flickr

These couple are from my Inlaws property about 200km west of Brisbane.

Image
Three-clawed Worm-skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Eastern Water Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Eastern Water Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Echidna by R. Francis, on Flickr

Now some from a wetland only a few kilometres from Brisbane city.

Image
Elegant Snake-eyed Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Elegant Snake-eyed Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Ramphotyphlops nigrescens by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Juvenile Water Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Garden skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Garden Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Juvenile Grass Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

And Back to Mount Isa.

Image
Gilberts Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Gilberts Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Marbled Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Beaked Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Beaked Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Worrells Turtle by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Worrells Turtle by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Fat-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Fat-tailed Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Pale-striped ground Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Pale-striped ground Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Mulga Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Strophurus taeniatus by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Strophurus taeniatus by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Hosmers Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Hosmers Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Hosmers Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr


These are starting to get into the 2013/14 wet season in Mount Isa. Starting around November.

Image
Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Sharp-snouted Delma by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Sharp-snouted Delma by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Northern Hooded Scaly-foot by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Northern Hooded Scaly-foot by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Gehyra robusta by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Gehyra robusta by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Hosmers Skink and the first storm of summer by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Orange-naped Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Orange-naped Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Orange-naped Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Copland's Rock Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Frilled-neck Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Frilled-neck Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Frilled-neck Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Long-footed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Cyclorana sp. by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Desert Tree Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Bandy Bandy by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Bandy Bandy by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Bandy Bandy by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Long-footed Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Marbled Velvet Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
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.

Image
Green Stream Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Lace Monitor by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Verreaux's Tree Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Striped Marsh Frog by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Red-bellied Black Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
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.

Image
Red Bellied Black Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Eastern Water Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Image
Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr



Thanks for looking and apologies for making the post so long.

Cheers,

Ryan
User avatar
Trey
Posts: 156
Joined: October 1st, 2010, 9:40 pm
Location: NE OHIO

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Trey »

Sweet Post! That porphyriacus is gorgeous. Have to herp Aussie, so many snakes I love.
Nate S.
Posts: 55
Joined: March 28th, 2013, 7:59 pm

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Nate S. »

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.
User avatar
Mike VanValen
Posts: 2074
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:41 pm
Location: Connecticut
Contact:

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Mike VanValen »

Wow, great finds and photography. I'm a big varanid fan so I appreciate the variety. The frilled dragon is classic.
User avatar
Bostaff of Asclepius
Posts: 43
Joined: January 29th, 2013, 9:21 am
Location: Central Coast of California

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Bostaff of Asclepius »

Absolutely - frickin' great stuff, well done!
User avatar
herpseeker1978
Posts: 1139
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:05 am
Location: Albuquerque

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by herpseeker1978 »

Image
Wow, just wow!

Josh
User avatar
Jeff Lemm
Posts: 411
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:08 pm

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Jeff Lemm »

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?
speedy
Posts: 77
Joined: May 26th, 2012, 6:44 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by speedy »

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?
Thanks for the comments everyone.

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.
User avatar
Mike Pingleton
Posts: 1471
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:45 am
Location: One of the boys from Illinois
Contact:

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Mike Pingleton »

wow, wonderful!

-Mike
User avatar
TravisK
Posts: 774
Joined: July 8th, 2010, 11:14 am
Location: Eastern Washington

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by TravisK »

Talk about a herpgasm :shock: WOW :crazyeyes:
User avatar
chrish
Posts: 3295
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:14 pm
Location: San Antonio, TX
Contact:

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by chrish »

This was a great post, top to bottom, but this photo.....

Image

should be the photo of the year for the FHF.

Clearly a sign of photographic patience and skill.
User avatar
Berkeley Boone
Posts: 878
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Berkeley Boone »

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
User avatar
Will Wells
Posts: 275
Joined: June 18th, 2010, 5:32 am
Location: Arizona
Contact:

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Will Wells »

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.
User avatar
AndyO'Connor
Posts: 1019
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:14 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by AndyO'Connor »

Amazing post. That lightning shot is something special. What lens do you use for the herp in habitat and landscape shots?
speedy
Posts: 77
Joined: May 26th, 2012, 6:44 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by speedy »

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?
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.

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
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.
User avatar
moloch
Posts: 561
Joined: June 16th, 2010, 1:26 pm

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by moloch »

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
User avatar
PrimitiveTim
Posts: 154
Joined: September 8th, 2013, 9:05 pm
Location: Florida
Contact:

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by PrimitiveTim »

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?
speedy
Posts: 77
Joined: May 26th, 2012, 6:44 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by speedy »

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
Come up David, Its a pretty easy place to herp compared to other areas of Aus.
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?
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.
User avatar
Roki
Posts: 199
Joined: January 23rd, 2012, 10:08 am
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Roki »

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
Eipper
Posts: 27
Joined: April 23rd, 2011, 9:24 pm
Location: Queensland Australia

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Eipper »

looking good mate

Cheers,
Scott
jgjulander
Posts: 51
Joined: October 19th, 2010, 1:38 pm

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by jgjulander »

So much awesomeness!
Justin
User avatar
AndrewZ
Posts: 30
Joined: March 29th, 2013, 11:15 pm

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by AndrewZ »

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.
User avatar
Crimson King
Posts: 337
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:31 pm
Location: Florida, USA
Contact:

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Crimson King »

chrish wrote:This was a great post, top to bottom, but this photo.....

Image

should be the photo of the year for the FHF.

Clearly a sign of photographic patience and skill.
I could not agree more!

:Mark
User avatar
Daniel D Dye
Posts: 1220
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:56 pm
Location: New River (Brooker), Florida
Contact:

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by Daniel D Dye »

WOW!! Extraordinary!! Breathtaking!! Just plain Awesome!! :thumb: :beer:

Thanks,

Daniel
User avatar
JakeScott
Posts: 690
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:26 pm
Location: Gainesville, FL
Contact:

Re: Australia: 2013 in review (pic heavy)

Post by JakeScott »

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
Post Reply