Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 2

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mothman
Posts: 62
Joined: June 25th, 2014, 11:34 am
Location: Huntington, West Virginia

Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 2

Post by mothman »

After exploring south-central and southeastern Arizona I headed north but I could not resist making a few stops in the Sonoran desert along the way. I was glad I did as I was able to aid a lifer to my trip list.

Forest of Saguaro Cactus and Ocotillo

Imagehttps://flic.kr/p/Y63e7E by mitchberk, on Flickr


Chain Fruit Cholla

ImageChain Fruit Cholla by mitchberk, on Flickr


I was hoping to find a Red-backed Whiptail (Aspidoscelis xanthonota) and I succeeded. This lifer is one beauty of a lizard.

ImageRed-backed Whiptail (Aspidoscelis xanthonota) by mitchberk, on Flickr


I spotted a Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake lying on top of some rocks. Armed only with my cameras (no snake sticks), I followed the snake seeking refuge in the rocks. I saw an elderly hiker passing by so I asked her if she wanted to see a rattlesnake. She responded by asking how many did I have. How many did I have and not which species did I have? Excuse me!! She did come over to see my snake and proceeded to tell me that someone just showed her a handful of neonate rattlesnakes hence the basis for her rather unusual question in her reply to me.

ImageWestern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) by mitchberk, on Flickr

Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), female

ImageSide-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), female

ImageSide-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), female by mitchberk, on Flickr


The orangish coloration of the chest, neck, and forelegs of this male Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus) was incredible.

ImageGreater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus), male by mitchberk, on Flickr

ImageGreater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus), male by mitchberk, on Flickr


This female Greater Earless Lizard was no slouch either when it came to vibrant coloration.

ImageGreater Earless Lizard (Cophasaurus texanus), female by mitchberk, on Flickr

A Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) were very accommodating in posing in a tree for me. The only other feature that could improve this picture would be a lizard hanging from the Roadrunner's beak. I was lucky to come across photogenic roadrunners at two other locations.

ImageGreater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) by mitchberk, on Flickr


ImageGreater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californicus) by mitchberk, on Flickr


ImageGreater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) by mitchberk, on Flickr

Now onwards to north-central Arizona.

California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) in riparian habitat.

ImageCalifornia Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Clark's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii)

ImageClark's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii) by mitchberk, on Flickr


ImageClark's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus)

ImagePlateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) by mitchberk, on Flickr

ImagePlateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) by mitchberk, on Flickr

ImagePlateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) by mitchberk, on Flickr

ImagePlateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) by mitchberk, on Flickr

ImagePlateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) by mitchberk, on Flickr

ImagePlateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) by mitchberk, on Flickr

ImagePlateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Greater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), juvenile

ImageGreater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), juvenile by mitchberk, on Flickr

ImageGreater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), juvenile by mitchberk, on Flickr


Desert Grasslands Whiptail (Aspidoscelis uniparens)

ImageDesert Grasslands Whiptail (Aspidoscelis uniparens) by mitchberk, on Flickr


ImageDesert Grassland Whiptail (Aspidoscelis uniparens) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Gila Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis flagellicauda)

ImageGila Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis flagellicauda) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Plateau Striped Whiptail (Aspidoscelis velox)

ImagePlateau Striped Whiptail (Aspidoscelis velox) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea)

ImagePygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Dragonfly (species?) with right forewing missing in action.

ImageDragonfly ID? by mitchberk, on Flickr


Dragonfly (species?)

ImageDragonfly species? by mitchberk, on Flickr


Mating grasshoppers (species ID?)

ImageMating grasshoppers by mitchberk, on Flickr


Grasshopper (species ID?)

ImageGrasshopper ID? by mitchberk, on Flickr


Robber Fly

ImageRobber Fly (family Asilidae) by mitchberk, on Flickr


Red Rocks region

ImageRed Rock by mitchberk, on Flickr

So ends another adventure in the great state of Arizona.
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Fieldherper
Posts: 252
Joined: June 11th, 2010, 10:46 am

Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 2

Post by Fieldherper »

Very nice, as was part 1. Cheers.

FH
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