2011 Highlights

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
Mike Waters
Posts: 835
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
Location: Bakersfield CA

2011 Highlights

Post by Mike Waters »

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
Image

Image

Image

Batrechoseps relictus, relictual slender salamander
Image

Batrechoseps sp Fairview slender salamander
Image

Batrechoseps simatus, kern canyon slender salamander
Image

Batrechoseps robustus, kern plateau slender salamander
Image

Image

Batrechoseps stebbinsi, Tehachapi slender salamander
Image

Image

Image

Image

Stebbinsi habitat
Image

Ensitina eschscholtzii platensis, sierra Nevada ensitina
Image

Ensitina eschscholtzii croceator, yellow-blotched ensitina
Image

Image

Taricha torosa, California newt
Image

Spea hammondi, western spadefoot
Image

Pseudacris hypochondriaca, baja chorus frog
Image

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.
Image

Gambelia wislizenii, longnose leopard lizard
Image

Plestiodon gilberti, western skink
Image

Sceloporus occidentalus, western fence lizard
Image

Aneilla pulchra, legless lizard
Image

Crotalus Helleri, southern pacific rattlesnake
Image

Crotalus oreganus, northern pacific
Image

Crotalus scutalatus, mojave rattlesnake
Image

Crotalus ruber, red rattlesnake
Image

Thamnophis elegans, mountain garter snake
Image

Coluber flagellum piceus, red racer
Image

Image

Image

Coluber constrictor mormon, yellow bellied racer
Image

Pituophis catenifer, pacific gopher snake
Image

Diadophis pulchellus, coral bellied ringneck snake
Image

Leptotyphlops humilis (kern co) western blind snake
Image

Trimorphodon, western lyre snake
Image

Lamporpeltis getula, California kingsnake
Image

Lampropeltis zonata, mountain kingsnake
Image

Image

Image

Charina, rubber boa
Image

Lichanura, rosy boa
Image

Image

Image

Image

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.
Image

Brogan and his friend Caiden watch as the boa slowly crawls off into the night
Image

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
Image

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.
Image

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.
Image

Image

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
Image

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
Image

A little off season Action
Image

Image

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.
Image

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
Image

Image

Image
Done! :lol: :lol:

Anaxyrus cognatus, great plains toad
Image

Scaphiopus couchii, couches spadefoot
Image

Spea multiplacata, mexican spadefoot
Image

Anaxyrus microscaphus, arizona toad
Image

Hyla arenicolor, canyon tree frog
Image

Reptiles

Elgaria kingie, madrien aligator lizard
Image

Crotalus scutulatus, mojave rattlesnake
Image

Crotalus Cerberus, black rattlesnake
Image

Crotalus nuntius, hopi rattlesnake
Image

Thamnophis elegans, wandering garter snake
Image

Thamnophis rufipuntatus, narrow headed gartersnake
Image

Arizona elagans phillipi, painted glossy snake
Image

Lampropeltis pyromelena, sonoran mountain kingsnake
Image

Image

Image

Lampropeltis triangulum, az milksnake
Image

Lichanura, rosy boa

And this is my first and only AZ rosy
Image

One happy camper, photo by Fundad
Image

Funny looking deer
Image

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.
User avatar
Brian Hubbs
Posts: 4735
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
Location: "Buy My Books"-land

Re: 2011 Hightlights

Post by Brian Hubbs »

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... :x :lol:
User avatar
pete
Posts: 745
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:11 pm
Location: cape cod ma.

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by pete »

Very NICE :thumb: :thumb:
Great post all around! Thanks! :D
User avatar
Brian Hubbs
Posts: 4735
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
Location: "Buy My Books"-land

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Brian Hubbs »

Brian Eagar
Posts: 430
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:59 pm

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Brian Eagar »

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.
hellihooks
Posts: 8025
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:12 am
Location: Hesperia, California.
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by hellihooks »

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... :shock: :D
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...
Image
followed by this beaut...
Image
And what I really wanted to see... my 1st aquatic-phase Ca. Newt...
Image
Thx again Mike... you rock. :beer: jim
User avatar
Carl Brune
Posts: 488
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:22 am
Location: Athens, OH
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Carl Brune »

A lot of nice stuff there, thanks for posting. That 3-boa deal is pretty amazing.
User avatar
Mike Waters
Posts: 835
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
Location: Bakersfield CA

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Mike Waters »

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.
Image
i wasnt realy impressed with this image. He was hard to pose and i was in a hury.
Brian Eagar
Posts: 430
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:59 pm

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Brian Eagar »

Ah, now that's more like it.
Thanks for throwing up the whole animal.
Too bad it wasn't more cooperative.
User avatar
Mike Waters
Posts: 835
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
Location: Bakersfield CA

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Mike Waters »

Carl Brune wrote:A lot of nice stuff there, thanks for posting. That 3-boa deal is pretty amazing.
Thanks
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... :shock: :D
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. :beer: jim
My pleasure Jim, I owed you one, or two, anyhow.
pete wrote:Very NICE :thumb: :thumb:
Great post all around! Thanks! :D
thank you
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... :x :lol:
Glitches fixed though i was originaly correct :lol: and why did you edit your post. You wanted me to add common names for everything because you dont know your salamanders?

Thanks for the link to rocket shoes :roll:
User avatar
Mike Pingleton
Posts: 1471
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:45 am
Location: One of the boys from Illinois
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Mike Pingleton »

that was worth the wait for a repost, Mike! You had quite a year!

I especially like those tiger sal shots!

-Mike
User avatar
Brendan
Posts: 435
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:26 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Brendan »

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.
User avatar
justinm
Posts: 3423
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:26 am
Location: Illinois
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by justinm »

Great post, looks like a helluva year. I'm glad you took the time to put it back together.
User avatar
Fundad
Posts: 5721
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:11 am
Location: Los Angeles County
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Fundad »

:thumb: :thumb: Good Stuff Mike..

:beer: Heres to your great year..

Love that Cal King..

Fundad
User avatar
monklet
Posts: 2648
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:44 pm
Location: Ventura, CA
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by monklet »

Killer stuff Mike! :thumb: I especially like the shot of me photographing the rosies!
ColdBloodedHerps
Posts: 89
Joined: November 14th, 2010, 3:36 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by ColdBloodedHerps »

Dude, those habitat shots of the cal newt, pacific gopher, red racer, and the zonata are unbelievable! :thumb: 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! :shock:
User avatar
Ruxs
Posts: 373
Joined: November 23rd, 2011, 8:26 am
Location: London, United Kingdom

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Ruxs »

those are some really great pictures you took! :thumb: awesome post
AsydaBass
Posts: 283
Joined: January 3rd, 2011, 10:21 pm
Location: Rara Avis, Heredia, Costa Rica

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by AsydaBass »

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?!


:D :beer:

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!)
User avatar
Cole Grover
Posts: 746
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 10:06 am
Location: Montana

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Cole Grover »

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
User avatar
Berkeley Boone
Posts: 878
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Berkeley Boone »

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
RobK

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by RobK »

I'd take a year like that, nice job!
Really like that habitat shot in the field w/ pac gopher.
DIAMONDBACK DAVE
Posts: 138
Joined: June 27th, 2010, 3:42 pm
Location: Everywhere USA
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by DIAMONDBACK DAVE »

I loved this post.......cant waite to see that part of the country

DBD approved..... :thumb:
User avatar
M.J.FRANETOVICH
Posts: 538
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:54 pm
Location: Deadhorse/California

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by M.J.FRANETOVICH »

:beer: congratulations Mike :beer: great photography :thumb:



Mel
User avatar
Ameron
Posts: 60
Joined: June 10th, 2010, 5:57 pm
Location: Portland/Vancouver

Enjoyed So Much, Thanks for Sharing

Post by Ameron »

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
User avatar
Mike Waters
Posts: 835
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
Location: Bakersfield CA

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Mike Waters »

ColdBloodedHerps wrote:Dude, those habitat shots of the cal newt, pacific gopher, red racer, and the zonata are unbelievable! :thumb: 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! :shock:
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. :lol:
User avatar
Mike Waters
Posts: 835
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
Location: Bakersfield CA

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Mike Waters »

Thank you all for the kind words. Your positive feedback makes it worth the time and effort involved putting the post together.
User avatar
brick911
Posts: 3488
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:52 am
Location: Morrisville, PA

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by brick911 »

Awesome year Mike. Some of those herp in habitat shots are phenomenal! Herping with kids is great! I'm glad they got their boas. :)
bushsnake
Posts: 11
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 6:29 am

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by bushsnake »

Im a Thamnophis geek so i gotta say that rufipuntatus was a treat. Awesome post!
User avatar
JAMAUGHN
Posts: 1131
Joined: May 15th, 2011, 12:16 am
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by JAMAUGHN »

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

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Wonderful animals, and superb photography. A very enjoyable post. :thumb:
Taylor Henry
Posts: 273
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:28 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Taylor Henry »

Awesome finds and great photography Mike! Thanks for taking the time to get this post up.
User avatar
mfb
Posts: 275
Joined: June 11th, 2010, 6:06 am
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by mfb »

Nice photos - I especially appreciated all the salamander shots!
User avatar
Mike VanValen
Posts: 2074
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:41 pm
Location: Connecticut
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Mike VanValen »

The blood-red AZ rosy boa is a stunner, and the narrowhead garter is always nice to see. Thanks for sharing.
User avatar
Mike Waters
Posts: 835
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:37 pm
Location: Bakersfield CA

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Mike Waters »

mfb wrote:Nice photos - I especially appreciated all the salamander shots!
Glad you enjoyed them. Salamanders are way under appreciated.

Thanks guys.
joeysgreen
Posts: 523
Joined: June 11th, 2010, 9:09 pm
Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by joeysgreen »

Pseudacris hypochondriaca
I thought you were pulling our leg with this name; had to google it to see. Who comes up with these :roll:
Zach_Lim
Posts: 1607
Joined: June 10th, 2010, 8:37 pm

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Zach_Lim »

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?
User avatar
Ross Padilla
Posts: 2666
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 6:29 pm
Location: I love L.A.
Contact:

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Ross Padilla »

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

Re: 2011 Highlights

Post by Will Wells »

Nice job Mike!!!
Post Reply