2011 Highlights
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Mike Waters
- Posts: 835
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
- Location: Bakersfield CA
2011 Highlights
So I thought I would share some highlights of 2011 with you all. I had a pretty successful year finding my targets and meeting my goals, but most importantly I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. I would like to thank Fundad, Hubbs, Brad Alexander, Bob Hanson, and many others for the good times and all the knowledge I acquired from you all in the field this year.
Amphibians
Batrechoseps gregarious, gregarious slender salamander
Batrechoseps relictus, relictual slender salamander
Batrechoseps sp Fairview slender salamander
Batrechoseps simatus, kern canyon slender salamander
Batrechoseps robustus, kern plateau slender salamander
Batrechoseps stebbinsi, Tehachapi slender salamander
Stebbinsi habitat
Ensitina eschscholtzii platensis, sierra Nevada ensitina
Ensitina eschscholtzii croceator, yellow-blotched ensitina
Taricha torosa, California newt
Spea hammondi, western spadefoot
Pseudacris hypochondriaca, baja chorus frog
Reptiles
Gopherus Agassazii, desert tortoise
I have been visiting this gal for the last 4 years. I found her in a canyon that is very popular for shooting and offroading. Her burrow is only feet away from boards that people use for target practice. Each year I am hesitant to leave her as I fear that she will be shot, run over or collected by someone un aware of the laws. As it is against the law to even touch a desert tortoise I leave her as found every year. Each spring I am always anxious to return to her den and see how she is doing and so far so good. This is her from this spring.
Gambelia wislizenii, longnose leopard lizard
Plestiodon gilberti, western skink
Sceloporus occidentalus, western fence lizard
Aneilla pulchra, legless lizard
Crotalus Helleri, southern pacific rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus, northern pacific
Crotalus scutalatus, mojave rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber, red rattlesnake
Thamnophis elegans, mountain garter snake
Coluber flagellum piceus, red racer
Coluber constrictor mormon, yellow bellied racer
Pituophis catenifer, pacific gopher snake
Diadophis pulchellus, coral bellied ringneck snake
Leptotyphlops humilis (kern co) western blind snake
Trimorphodon, western lyre snake
Lamporpeltis getula, California kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata, mountain kingsnake
Charina, rubber boa
Lichanura, rosy boa
One of my goals this year was for each of my boys to observe a Rosy in the wild. Here is Brogan and I on his 4th birthday.
Brogan and his friend Caiden watch as the boa slowly crawls off into the night
A few nights later we return with my wife and youngest boy Brennan, age 2. We didn’t drive long until we found Brennan and my wife Bre’s first rosy boa
Months later Brad, monklet, and I decide to make a trip out to the desert in a last ditch effort to find him a rosy for the 2011 year. We met out in the desert in late July to take advantage of a cold front that had moved over southern CA. As we approached one of my favorite little canyons I explain to Brad how I have seen a couple boas while hiking the wash. As we pull in to park, I see this bomber female blocking my parking spot.
After exiting the vehicle as Brad is admiring this big gal cross the desert floor I notice a male only a few feet away. Brad couldn’t believe it, I myself was rather excited as well. We waited and watched to see if anything would happen.
As Brad continues to photograph these two I take a moment to have a better look around. Something shiny in a bush catches my eye and wouldn’t you know. A second male less than 10 feet away
We left all three and headed out to see what else we could find. Neither of us would have guessed that that would be the only three snakes we would see for the rest of the evening.
Me with my first boa of the year. Photographed by Fundad
A little off season Action
No kittens were harmed in the making of this image. There is not better way to stay in shape then chasing hounds around the forest.
Ill conclude the CA portion with this picture of my beautiful wife with our boys, chasing western spadefoot toads on a cool spring day.
ARIZONA
I only had the opportunity to travel to AZ twice this year, both with Fundad. Between Brians incredible last minute LETS GO NOW!!!! Planning, and our abilities to hunt 30 hours a day we had great success. Even though Brian fumbled his flashlight and we lost a milk on our first trip we were still able to pull it off and find every one of our az targets, minus a getula (who would have thunk it)
Amphibians
My Goal, find every species of AZ salamander
Ambystoma, tiger salamander
Done!
Anaxyrus cognatus, great plains toad
Scaphiopus couchii, couches spadefoot
Spea multiplacata, mexican spadefoot
Anaxyrus microscaphus, arizona toad
Hyla arenicolor, canyon tree frog
Reptiles
Elgaria kingie, madrien aligator lizard
Crotalus scutulatus, mojave rattlesnake
Crotalus Cerberus, black rattlesnake
Crotalus nuntius, hopi rattlesnake
Thamnophis elegans, wandering garter snake
Thamnophis rufipuntatus, narrow headed gartersnake
Arizona elagans phillipi, painted glossy snake
Lampropeltis pyromelena, sonoran mountain kingsnake
Lampropeltis triangulum, az milksnake
Lichanura, rosy boa
And this is my first and only AZ rosy
One happy camper, photo by Fundad
Funny looking deer
So that will conclude my 2011 highlight post. Thanks for looking
Mike Waters
P.S.
If you have any location questions feel free to pm me for GPS coordinants.
Amphibians
Batrechoseps gregarious, gregarious slender salamander
Batrechoseps relictus, relictual slender salamander
Batrechoseps sp Fairview slender salamander
Batrechoseps simatus, kern canyon slender salamander
Batrechoseps robustus, kern plateau slender salamander
Batrechoseps stebbinsi, Tehachapi slender salamander
Stebbinsi habitat
Ensitina eschscholtzii platensis, sierra Nevada ensitina
Ensitina eschscholtzii croceator, yellow-blotched ensitina
Taricha torosa, California newt
Spea hammondi, western spadefoot
Pseudacris hypochondriaca, baja chorus frog
Reptiles
Gopherus Agassazii, desert tortoise
I have been visiting this gal for the last 4 years. I found her in a canyon that is very popular for shooting and offroading. Her burrow is only feet away from boards that people use for target practice. Each year I am hesitant to leave her as I fear that she will be shot, run over or collected by someone un aware of the laws. As it is against the law to even touch a desert tortoise I leave her as found every year. Each spring I am always anxious to return to her den and see how she is doing and so far so good. This is her from this spring.
Gambelia wislizenii, longnose leopard lizard
Plestiodon gilberti, western skink
Sceloporus occidentalus, western fence lizard
Aneilla pulchra, legless lizard
Crotalus Helleri, southern pacific rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus, northern pacific
Crotalus scutalatus, mojave rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber, red rattlesnake
Thamnophis elegans, mountain garter snake
Coluber flagellum piceus, red racer
Coluber constrictor mormon, yellow bellied racer
Pituophis catenifer, pacific gopher snake
Diadophis pulchellus, coral bellied ringneck snake
Leptotyphlops humilis (kern co) western blind snake
Trimorphodon, western lyre snake
Lamporpeltis getula, California kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata, mountain kingsnake
Charina, rubber boa
Lichanura, rosy boa
One of my goals this year was for each of my boys to observe a Rosy in the wild. Here is Brogan and I on his 4th birthday.
Brogan and his friend Caiden watch as the boa slowly crawls off into the night
A few nights later we return with my wife and youngest boy Brennan, age 2. We didn’t drive long until we found Brennan and my wife Bre’s first rosy boa
Months later Brad, monklet, and I decide to make a trip out to the desert in a last ditch effort to find him a rosy for the 2011 year. We met out in the desert in late July to take advantage of a cold front that had moved over southern CA. As we approached one of my favorite little canyons I explain to Brad how I have seen a couple boas while hiking the wash. As we pull in to park, I see this bomber female blocking my parking spot.
After exiting the vehicle as Brad is admiring this big gal cross the desert floor I notice a male only a few feet away. Brad couldn’t believe it, I myself was rather excited as well. We waited and watched to see if anything would happen.
As Brad continues to photograph these two I take a moment to have a better look around. Something shiny in a bush catches my eye and wouldn’t you know. A second male less than 10 feet away
We left all three and headed out to see what else we could find. Neither of us would have guessed that that would be the only three snakes we would see for the rest of the evening.
Me with my first boa of the year. Photographed by Fundad
A little off season Action
No kittens were harmed in the making of this image. There is not better way to stay in shape then chasing hounds around the forest.
Ill conclude the CA portion with this picture of my beautiful wife with our boys, chasing western spadefoot toads on a cool spring day.
ARIZONA
I only had the opportunity to travel to AZ twice this year, both with Fundad. Between Brians incredible last minute LETS GO NOW!!!! Planning, and our abilities to hunt 30 hours a day we had great success. Even though Brian fumbled his flashlight and we lost a milk on our first trip we were still able to pull it off and find every one of our az targets, minus a getula (who would have thunk it)
Amphibians
My Goal, find every species of AZ salamander
Ambystoma, tiger salamander
Done!
Anaxyrus cognatus, great plains toad
Scaphiopus couchii, couches spadefoot
Spea multiplacata, mexican spadefoot
Anaxyrus microscaphus, arizona toad
Hyla arenicolor, canyon tree frog
Reptiles
Elgaria kingie, madrien aligator lizard
Crotalus scutulatus, mojave rattlesnake
Crotalus Cerberus, black rattlesnake
Crotalus nuntius, hopi rattlesnake
Thamnophis elegans, wandering garter snake
Thamnophis rufipuntatus, narrow headed gartersnake
Arizona elagans phillipi, painted glossy snake
Lampropeltis pyromelena, sonoran mountain kingsnake
Lampropeltis triangulum, az milksnake
Lichanura, rosy boa
And this is my first and only AZ rosy
One happy camper, photo by Fundad
Funny looking deer
So that will conclude my 2011 highlight post. Thanks for looking
Mike Waters
P.S.
If you have any location questions feel free to pm me for GPS coordinants.
- Brian Hubbs
- Posts: 4735
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
- Location: "Buy My Books"-land
Re: 2011 Hightlights
Very nice, except for the two little glitches I mentioned on the phone...
And, if you're going to come to MY state and find milks that look that good, I will have to do something about those bridges across the Colorado River...
And, if you're going to come to MY state and find milks that look that good, I will have to do something about those bridges across the Colorado River...
Re: 2011 Highlights
Very NICE
Great post all around! Thanks!
Great post all around! Thanks!
- Brian Hubbs
- Posts: 4735
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
- Location: "Buy My Books"-land
-
- Posts: 430
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:59 pm
Re: 2011 Highlights
some very nice shots in there.
I really like some of those animal / habitat situations that you presented.
The tiger sal comming out of the grass.
The gopher on the hill.
The coach in the grass.
But what is up with not freaking showing the whole coral bellied ringneck?
Thanks for sharing.
I really like some of those animal / habitat situations that you presented.
The tiger sal comming out of the grass.
The gopher on the hill.
The coach in the grass.
But what is up with not freaking showing the whole coral bellied ringneck?
Thanks for sharing.
-
- Posts: 8025
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:12 am
- Location: Hesperia, California.
- Contact:
Re: 2011 Highlights
GREAT Post Mike. I'll never make fun of ANYBODY ever again, for looking for those hard to find slenders... As tough of herping as I've ever tried...
Something about that Fence swift makes me think S.o.biseriatus ... very nice.
And thx for the tour of your area, last May...had a great time.
Mike with hurt but MOR cantifer...
followed by this beaut...
And what I really wanted to see... my 1st aquatic-phase Ca. Newt...
Thx again Mike... you rock. jim
Something about that Fence swift makes me think S.o.biseriatus ... very nice.
And thx for the tour of your area, last May...had a great time.
Mike with hurt but MOR cantifer...
followed by this beaut...
And what I really wanted to see... my 1st aquatic-phase Ca. Newt...
Thx again Mike... you rock. jim
- Carl Brune
- Posts: 488
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:22 am
- Location: Athens, OH
- Contact:
Re: 2011 Highlights
A lot of nice stuff there, thanks for posting. That 3-boa deal is pretty amazing.
- Mike Waters
- Posts: 835
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
- Location: Bakersfield CA
Re: 2011 Highlights
Brian Eagar wrote:some very nice shots in there.
I really like some of those animal / habitat situations that you presented.
The tiger sal comming out of the grass.
The gopher on the hill.
The coach in the grass.
But what is up with not freaking showing the whole coral bellied ringneck?
Thanks for sharing.
i wasnt realy impressed with this image. He was hard to pose and i was in a hury.
-
- Posts: 430
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:59 pm
Re: 2011 Highlights
Ah, now that's more like it.
Thanks for throwing up the whole animal.
Too bad it wasn't more cooperative.
Thanks for throwing up the whole animal.
Too bad it wasn't more cooperative.
- Mike Waters
- Posts: 835
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
- Location: Bakersfield CA
Re: 2011 Highlights
ThanksCarl Brune wrote:A lot of nice stuff there, thanks for posting. That 3-boa deal is pretty amazing.
My pleasure Jim, I owed you one, or two, anyhow.hellihooks wrote:GREAT Post Mike. I'll never make fun of ANYBODY ever again, for looking for those hard to find slenders... As tough of herping as I've ever tried...
Something about that Fence swift makes me think S.o.biseriatus ... very nice.
And thx for the tour of your area, last May...had a great time.
Thx again Mike... you rock. jim
thank youpete wrote:Very NICE
Great post all around! Thanks!
Glitches fixed though i was originaly correct and why did you edit your post. You wanted me to add common names for everything because you dont know your salamanders?Brian Hubbs wrote:Very nice, except for the two little glitches I mentioned on the phone...
And, if you're going to come to MY state and find milks that look that good, I will have to do something about those bridges across the Colorado River...
Thanks for the link to rocket shoes
- Mike Pingleton
- Posts: 1471
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:45 am
- Location: One of the boys from Illinois
- Contact:
Re: 2011 Highlights
that was worth the wait for a repost, Mike! You had quite a year!
I especially like those tiger sal shots!
-Mike
I especially like those tiger sal shots!
-Mike
Re: 2011 Highlights
Great post Mike. Glad you were able to get it to work this time.
Cool boa observation! Its kinda cool to sit back and watch stuff for a bit. You learn a lot that way and the photos are much more enjoyable than a perfectly posed and exposed snake.
Cool boa observation! Its kinda cool to sit back and watch stuff for a bit. You learn a lot that way and the photos are much more enjoyable than a perfectly posed and exposed snake.
Re: 2011 Highlights
Great post, looks like a helluva year. I'm glad you took the time to put it back together.
Re: 2011 Highlights
Good Stuff Mike..
Heres to your great year..
Love that Cal King..
Fundad
Heres to your great year..
Love that Cal King..
Fundad
Re: 2011 Highlights
Killer stuff Mike! I especially like the shot of me photographing the rosies!
-
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- Location: Colorado
Re: 2011 Highlights
Dude, those habitat shots of the cal newt, pacific gopher, red racer, and the zonata are unbelievable! Although I'm a snake guy my fav is that cal newt. Any special technique you used to get that pic if you dont mind sharing because Im absolutely in love with that pic!
Re: 2011 Highlights
those are some really great pictures you took! awesome post
Re: 2011 Highlights
I don't know what everyone's talking about... This was quite a disappointing series of photos. All those snot lizards followed by snakes only to be ruined in the end by posing with a FL Gators shirt on! Really?!
Awesome species, photos, and experience Mike! I spend almost the entire year in a rainforest, and seeing a post like this still makes me jealous! I hope to get out "west" sometime in 2012 and have 1/3 of the success you've had. Until then I'll have to live vicariously through your adventures.
Pura Vida,
-Don
(Go Noles!)
Awesome species, photos, and experience Mike! I spend almost the entire year in a rainforest, and seeing a post like this still makes me jealous! I hope to get out "west" sometime in 2012 and have 1/3 of the success you've had. Until then I'll have to live vicariously through your adventures.
Pura Vida,
-Don
(Go Noles!)
- Cole Grover
- Posts: 746
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 10:06 am
- Location: Montana
Re: 2011 Highlights
SUPER enjoyable post, Mike! Thanks for taking the time to put that together. Some of those photographs were incredible. I really liked the salamander intro.
-Cole
-Cole
- Berkeley Boone
- Posts: 878
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am
Re: 2011 Highlights
Mike-
That was really enjoyable. The photos of the animals with their habitats are beyond stunning, and make me want to work on my abilities to capture that.
nice job, and great post.
--berkeley
That was really enjoyable. The photos of the animals with their habitats are beyond stunning, and make me want to work on my abilities to capture that.
nice job, and great post.
--berkeley
Re: 2011 Highlights
I'd take a year like that, nice job!
Really like that habitat shot in the field w/ pac gopher.
Really like that habitat shot in the field w/ pac gopher.
-
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- Contact:
Re: 2011 Highlights
I loved this post.......cant waite to see that part of the country
DBD approved.....
DBD approved.....
- M.J.FRANETOVICH
- Posts: 538
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:54 pm
- Location: Deadhorse/California
Re: 2011 Highlights
congratulations Mike great photography
Mel
Mel
Enjoyed So Much, Thanks for Sharing
In my area of the Northwest, we have few reptiles to see, and a short warm season.
I only have 1 Herper friend who enjoys both hiking and searching for Herps. It's great that you and your group of friends share such camaraderie & discoveries.
Best wishes to you all.
Ameron
Portland, OR
0.1 Lampropeltis getla california (Los Angeles County morph)
1.0 Pantherophis obsoletus rosselleni
I only have 1 Herper friend who enjoys both hiking and searching for Herps. It's great that you and your group of friends share such camaraderie & discoveries.
Best wishes to you all.
Ameron
Portland, OR
0.1 Lampropeltis getla california (Los Angeles County morph)
1.0 Pantherophis obsoletus rosselleni
- Mike Waters
- Posts: 835
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
- Location: Bakersfield CA
Re: 2011 Highlights
Glad you you enjoyed them, as far as technique goes, if you attempt 100 herp in habitat images your bound to have one or two come out okay.ColdBloodedHerps wrote:Dude, those habitat shots of the cal newt, pacific gopher, red racer, and the zonata are unbelievable! Although I'm a snake guy my fav is that cal newt. Any special technique you used to get that pic if you dont mind sharing because Im absolutely in love with that pic!
- Mike Waters
- Posts: 835
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
- Location: Bakersfield CA
Re: 2011 Highlights
Thank you all for the kind words. Your positive feedback makes it worth the time and effort involved putting the post together.
Re: 2011 Highlights
Awesome year Mike. Some of those herp in habitat shots are phenomenal! Herping with kids is great! I'm glad they got their boas.
Re: 2011 Highlights
Im a Thamnophis geek so i gotta say that rufipuntatus was a treat. Awesome post!
Re: 2011 Highlights
A little late to the game, I know, but I also wanted to say thanks for taking the time to post this again after the trouble you had. Great stuff, all of it.
JimM
JimM
- Daniel D Dye
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Re: 2011 Highlights
Wonderful animals, and superb photography. A very enjoyable post.
-
- Posts: 273
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:28 pm
- Location: Southern California
Re: 2011 Highlights
Awesome finds and great photography Mike! Thanks for taking the time to get this post up.
Re: 2011 Highlights
Nice photos - I especially appreciated all the salamander shots!
- Mike VanValen
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Re: 2011 Highlights
The blood-red AZ rosy boa is a stunner, and the narrowhead garter is always nice to see. Thanks for sharing.
- Mike Waters
- Posts: 835
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
- Location: Bakersfield CA
Re: 2011 Highlights
Glad you enjoyed them. Salamanders are way under appreciated.mfb wrote:Nice photos - I especially appreciated all the salamander shots!
Thanks guys.
-
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Re: 2011 Highlights
I thought you were pulling our leg with this name; had to google it to see. Who comes up with thesePseudacris hypochondriaca
Re: 2011 Highlights
Amazing, amazing finds. Every single one of those tricolors are screamers, especially the pyros and az milk (this is very hard to say, being a zonata nut). Speaking of Z's, those multicincta are great. Have any more habitat shots?
- Ross Padilla
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Re: 2011 Highlights
Wow, Mike, what a year you had! Those boa and Cal king shots are great. That is a very nice king. The three boas you guys found all in the same area was pretty amazing. Dude, I've had dreams like that.
- Will Wells
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Re: 2011 Highlights
Nice job Mike!!!