1/2 of the Year: California (and some Washington) herps

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Zach_Lim
Posts: 1607
Joined: June 10th, 2010, 8:37 pm

1/2 of the Year: California (and some Washington) herps

Post by Zach_Lim »

Hey everyone,

The CA Chapter seems to be slowing down a bit, so I figured I will throw some photos together to share. Nothing too crazy, but just wanted to post something! I recently learned how to use Auto-focus with my lens (I know...I know...), having only used the Manual setting and praying that I got a clear shot. Don't ask me why I never gave auto focus a shot....I only recently started caring more about photography haha! Also, threw together an external flash and soft box. So here goes!

Northern Rubber Boa

I've seen well over 2 dozen this year in many new areas! They are my target species as of late, with hopes of finding them closer and closer to San Francisco, until I finally get my City boa!

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California Toad

So far, I've only seen a handful of toads this year. This was the largest one from the Santa Cruz area.

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Coast Mountain Kingsnake

Unfortunately, I only saw 3 or so of these beauties this year. This was my favorite one encountered, as it was while I was herping by myself and just a day after I missed an absolutely gorgeous one on the crawl (who knew they were THAT fast). I ended up finding this snake twice- the first time it had a full belly!

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California Striped Racer

I have actually seen a few of these beautiful snakes within the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Sierras this year. Always a thrill to catch one and to photograph. I have found that they are very easy to pose!

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Mountain Garter Snake

I was able to get out a lot with Lawrence during the first half of the year! This snake was a lifer of mine while out herping with Dave and Lawrence in the Sierras!

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San Francisco Garter Snake

On one foggy morning along the coast, my girlfriend and I tried our luck within these endangered snakes. She spotted quite a few emerging from burrows!

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California Red-sided Garter Snake

I didn't spend much time looking for these beautiful snakes this year (so far). However, while passing through, I was lucky enough to see one hatchling on the crawl.

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Aquatic Garter Snake

As I mentioned early, I have been searching much closer around San Francisco proper for rubber boas and other snakes I have yet to see in the City. Just 10 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge was this large Aquatic intergrade.

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Northwestern Alligator Lizard

My girlfriend and I spent a weekend in Olympia to hang out with a friend and go to a few shows. Gary Nafis was kind enough to take me out and I was able to check a number of lifers off the list, including this gravid NW Alligator!

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Northwestern Garter Snake

After hanging out with Gary, my girlfriend and I took a stroll near the place we were staying. She pointed out some logs laying by a lake that looked "snakey". First log I flipped...

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Western Yellow-bellied Racer

While checking out a spot just south of San Francisco in hopes of some early morning boa action, I cam upon a beautiful hatchling racer.

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California Alligator Lizard

I didn't photo too many of these guys so far this year, but took the chance to try out the new soft box on this beautiful specimen.

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California Legless Lizard

While driving back up North along the coast, I managed to find two beautiful legless lizards! Was happy how the photos came out!

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Western Yellow-bellied Racer

Just a few more shots with better lighting.

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Blainville's Horned Lizard

Encountered two beautiful specimens this year while hiking a wash with the lady! Lifer for her!

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I also took a trip down south where I was able to herp with Jeff, Dave, and Chris, but I'll save that for a different post!

Happy herping everyone and take care!

Zach
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