Best of 2019

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orionmystery
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Best of 2019

Post by orionmystery »

It is that time of the year to round up some of my favorite images taken in the year of 2019. Again, lots of herps (amphibians, reptiles) this year. Mostly with a wide angle lens and/or a 60mm macro lens.

Snakes

#1 - Up close with a adult male Sumatra Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sumatranus) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageTrimeresurus sumatranus_MG_6725 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#2 Sabah Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sabahi) from the highlands of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageTrimeresurus sabahi_MG_6204 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#3 - A big male Sabah Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sabahi) from the highland of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageTrimeresurus sabahi_MG_6184 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#4 - The cutest little cat snake ever! Doesn't look like any other Pale-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapiezii) I have ever seen. Mentawai Islands, Sumatra, Indonesia.
ImageBoiga drapiezii_MG_4973 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#5 - The cutest little cat snake ever! Doesn't look like any other Pale-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapiezii) I have ever seen. Mentawai Islands, Sumatra, Indonesia.
ImageBoiga drapiezii_MG_4995 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#6 - Juvenile Dog-toothed Cat Snake (Boiga cynodon) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageBoiga cynodon_MG_4059 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#7 - Male Bornean Keeled Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus). Lowland forest of Sabah, Borneo
ImageTropidolaemus subannulatus_MG_6759 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#8 - In-situ shot of a Male Bornean Keeled Pit Viper (Trimeresurus subannulatus) with ant heads on him. Lowland forest of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageTropidolaemus subannulatus_MG_5716 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#9 - Malayan Bridle Snake (Dryocalamus/Lycodon subannulatus) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageDryocalamus subannulatus_MG_5699 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#10 - Mangrove Pit Viper / Shore Pit Viper (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus) from Kedah, West Malaysia.
ImageTrimeresurus purpureomaculatus P8070206 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#11 - Check out the many color forms of Painted Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pictus). Lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImagePsammodynastes pictus_MG_5523 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#12 - Beautiful little Gold-ringed Cat Snake (Boiga dendrophila) from the lowland forest of Kedah, West Malaysia.
ImageBoiga dendrophila_MG_5069 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#13 - Dusky Wolf Snake / Dark Wolf Snake (Lepturophis albofucus / Lycodon albofuscus) from the lowland forest of Kedah, West Malaysia.
ImageLycodon albofuscus_MG_5492 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#14 - Black-headed Cat Snake / Pale-headed Cat Snake (Boiga nigriceps) from the lowland forest of Negeri Sembilan, West Malaysia.
ImageBoiga nigriceps_MG_5433 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#15 - Jasper's Cat Snake (Boiga jaspidea).Probably one of the most beautiful cat snakes out there. Pahang, West Malaysia.
ImageBoiga jaspidea_MG_5373 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#16 - Beautiful Pitviper (Trimeresurus venustus) from Southern Thailand.
ImageTrimeresurus venustus_MG_4669 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#17 - Big female Sumatra Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sumatranus). Lowland forest of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageTrimeresurus sumatranus_MG_6563 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#18 - Red-necked Keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus) from Krabi, Thailand.
ImageRhabdophis subminiatus_MG_4444 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#19 - Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Too shy to show its head.
ImageBungarus flaviceps baluensis_MG_4195 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#20 - Blue Coral Snake (Calliophis bivirgatus) from the lowland forest of Kedah, Malaysia
ImageCalliophis bivirgatus_MG_5157 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#21 - Blue Coral Snake (Calliophis bivirgatus tetrataenia) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageCalliophis bivirgatus tetrataenia_MG_3974 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#22 - Malayan ground pit viper, Malayan pit viper, Malayan ground snake, Malayan moccasin (Calloselasma rhodostoma). Krabi, Thailand.
ImageCalloselasma rhodostoma_MG_4708 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#23 - Cute but bitey little juvenile Black Copper Rat Snake (Coelognathus flavolineatus), lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageCoelognathus flavolineatus_MG_4083 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#24 - Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sp. nov.) from the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia.
ImageTrimeresurus sp. nov._MG_4869 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#25 - Cute little Blunt-head Snail-eating Snake (Aplopeltura boa) from the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra.
ImageAplopeltura boa_MG_4941 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#26 - Golden Flying Snake (Chrysopelea ornata) from Krabi, Thailand.
ImageChrysopelea ornata_MG_4423 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#27 - Blue Krait / Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) from Krabi, Thailand.
ImageBungarus candidus_MG_4622 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#28 - Malayan Snail-eating Snake (Asthenodipsas malaccanus) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageAsthenodipsas malaccanus_MG_6646 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#29 - Yellow-lined Reed Snake / Griswold's Reed Snake (Calamaria griswoldi) from the highlands of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.This one was a pain to photograph.
ImageCalamaria griswoldi_MG_4359 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Lizards

#30 - Ornate Earless Agama (Aphaniotis ornata), lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageAphaniotis ornata_MG_5689 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#31 - Draco's are just awesome! Giant Flying Dragon (Draco maximus). Sabah, Borneo. It is always amazing to see them in "flight"
ImageDraco maximus_MG_6866 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Amphibians

#32 - Bornean Horned Frog (Megophrys nasuta). You can never get tired of them! Highlands of Sabah, about 1000m asl.
ImageMegophrys nasuta_MG_6166 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#33 - Pied warty frog / Hill Garden Bug-eyed frog / Bird Poop Frog (Theloderma asperum) from the highland of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
ImageTheloderma asperum_MG_3943 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#34 - Masked Tree Frog (Leptomantis angulirostris) from the highlands of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageLeptomantis angulirostris_MG_5913 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#35 - Hole-in-the-head Frog (Huia cavitympanum) from the highlands of Sabah, Borneo. Approximately 1000m asl.
ImageHuia cavitympanum_MG_5991 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#36 - Malayan Flying Frog (Rhacophorus prominanus) from the lowland forest of Kedah, West Malaysia. Not the flashiest frog but still very photogenic.
ImageRhacophorus prominanus_MG_5044 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#37 - Juvenile Frilled Tree Frog (Kurixalus appendiculatus) from the highlands of Sabah, Borneo. Approximately 1000m asl.
ImageKurixalus appendiculatus_MG_5903 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#38 - Spotted Stream Frog (Pulchrana picturata) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Borneo.
ImagePulchrana picturata_MG_5615 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#39 - My second Sabah Earless Toad (Sabahphrynus maculatus). Highland of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageSabahphrynus maculatus_MG_6023 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#40 - Hose's Bush Frog (Philautus hosii) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImagePhilautus hosii_MG_5603 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#41 - A stunning Mahogany Frog (Abavorana luctuosa) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageAbavorana luctuosa_MG_5898 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#42 - Edwardine's Horned Frog (Megophrys edwardinae) from the highlands of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageMegophrys edwardinae_MG_5745 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#43 - Diagonal-lined Frog / Khao Wang Frog / Slashed-back Frog / Three-striped Frog (Humerana miopus) from the lowland forest of Kedah, West Malaysia. My first time seeing one.
ImageHumerana miopus_MG_5091 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#44 - Siberut Island Frog (Pulchrana siberu) is one of the two frogs I photographed in Mentawai Islands. The other one is Phrynella pulchra. Mentawai Islands, Sumatra. April 2019.
ImagePulchrana siberu_MG_5020 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#45 - How photogenic is this cool Mossy Bush Frog (Philautus macroscelis). Formerly known as Rhacophorus everetti. Highlands of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImagePhilautus macroscelis_MG_6797 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Invertebrates

#46 - Female dobsonfly, Nevromus gloriosoi(?), Liu, Hayashi & Yang, 2012 (Corydalidae: Corydalinae laying eggs on a leaf. Highland of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageNevromus gloriosoi_MG_6136 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#47 - Newly emerged cicada from the highland of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 1000m asl. Tosena depicta - ID credit: David.
ImageTosena depicta_MG_5985 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#48 - Longhorn Beetle, Rhaphipodus sp., probably Rhaphipodus bonni, māle, from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
ImageRhaphipodus bonni_MG_5671 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#49 - Scorpion-tailed Spider (Arachnura sp.) with a winged termite prey. Lowland forest of Kedah, West Malaysia.
ImageArachnura sp._MG_5036 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#50 - Tropical Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa zampa) from the lowland forest of Kedah, West Malaysia.
ImageLyssa zampa_MG_5053 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#51 - Dragon Mantis (Toxodera maculata Ouwens, 1913) we found one night, lowland forest of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageToxodera maculata_MG_6304 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

#52 - Straight-snouted Weevil (Eutrachelus temmincki). highlands of Sabah, Borneo.
ImageEutrachelus temmincki_MG_6895 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Others

#53 - Western Tarsier or Horsfield’s Tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus). Sepilok, Sandakan, Borneo.
ImageCephalopachus bancanus_MG_6913 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

https://orionmystery.blogspot.com/2019/ ... -2019.html
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Sky Islander
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Re: Best of 2019

Post by Sky Islander »

Absolutely fantastic! I like best all the species of tree vipers and how I can see the swirls of colors that make up the less-detailed color we would see from a safe distance. How/why are there 2 ant heads on that subannulatus? It just seems improbable.
Thank you for this post!
Goose
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jonathan
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Re: Best of 2019

Post by jonathan »

I'm quite in awe of the species you find and the pictures you take. Thank you very much Kurt.
dendrelaphis
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Re: Best of 2019

Post by dendrelaphis »

These pictures are surreal! And I know from experiece several of these species you don't come across every day! On the contrary..
Mark
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Re: Best of 2019

Post by Mark »

WOW, good job Kurt. Awesome finds and amazing pics!
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orionmystery
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Re: Best of 2019

Post by orionmystery »

Sky Islander wrote: December 28th, 2019, 9:32 am Absolutely fantastic! I like best all the species of tree vipers and how I can see the swirls of colors that make up the less-detailed color we would see from a safe distance. How/why are there 2 ant heads on that subannulatus? It just seems improbable.
Thank you for this post!
Goose
Thanks, Goose. The ants must have latched to the vipers when it was on the move. Those ants won't let go even after they died.
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orionmystery
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Re: Best of 2019

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jonathan wrote: January 1st, 2020, 11:51 pm I'm quite in awe of the species you find and the pictures you take. Thank you very much Kurt.
Thanks, Jonathan. The pleasure is mine.
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orionmystery
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Re: Best of 2019

Post by orionmystery »

dendrelaphis wrote: January 10th, 2020, 3:42 am These pictures are surreal! And I know from experiece several of these species you don't come across every day! On the contrary..
Thanks, man. Got lucky with a few species! The one from Siberut has no official name yet!
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orionmystery
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Re: Best of 2019

Post by orionmystery »

Mark wrote: January 11th, 2020, 4:37 am WOW, good job Kurt. Awesome finds and amazing pics!
Thanks, Mark. Finally got lucky at the highland and found a Bungarus flaviceps baluensis up on a tree during my last tour there. There was a viper on that tree earlier so I assumed the krait went up the tree to hunt for that viper.
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