A very late January in Review post

[Nicholas]

So this is an extremely tardy post, as it is already past February 20th. January was a bit slow with snakes (1 helleri that I see every time I look into his den, regardless of conditions, which is right by my house), but we still managed to sum up a few interesting finds.
Here goes:
Here is my extremely exciting first find of 2017, the elusive uta.
Western Side-Blotch Lizard (Uta stansburiana elegans) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

I also found and photographed some slenders. I tried a bit harder than usual and am quite happy of the results.

Black Bellied Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps nigriventris) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Black Bellied Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps nigriventris) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Black Bellied Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps nigriventris) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

At a pond we found a couple species of common anurans.

Baja California Treefrog (Pseudacris hypocondriaca) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Baja California Treefrog (Pseudacris hypocondriaca) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

California Toads (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

We headed up into the eastern San Gabriels in San Bernardino County to look for San Gabriel Mountain Slender Salamanders. We did quite well finding nine in total.

San Gabriel Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps gabrieli) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

San Gabriel Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps gabrieli) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

San Gabriel Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps gabrieli) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

On a quick hike with some friends after school, I unexpectedly flipped this very cold Whiptail. Unfortunately I only had my little camera so my photography was limited. It actually started hailing a couple minutes later.

Coastal Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris stejnegri) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Once it got a bit warmer, I headed out to Riverside County with Jeremy Wright to look for boas and what not. Struck out on all snakes, but did find a couple of the less commonly seen lizards that inhabit the area.

Granite Night Lizard (Xantusia henshawii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Granite Night Lizard (Xantusia henshawii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

San Diego Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus abbotti) and Granite Night Lizard (Xantusia henshawii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

San Diego Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus abbotti) and Granite Night Lizard (Xantusia henshawii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

San Diego Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus abbotti) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

San Diego Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus abbotti) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

With all this rain we've been getting, salamandering is way easier than in past years and with some advice from Jeremy, I was able to flip four Ensatinas.

Monterey Ensatina (Ensatina eschcholtzii eschcholtzii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Monterey Ensatina (Ensatina eschcholtzii eschcholtzii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Monterey Ensatina (Ensatina eschcholtzii eschcholtzii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr
They have crazy little bellies.
Monterey Ensatina (Ensatina eschcholtzii eschcholtzii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Monterey Ensatina (Ensatina eschcholtzii eschcholtzii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

Monterey Ensatina (Ensatina eschcholtzii eschcholtzii) by NicholasHess, on Flickr
I also found a couple arboreals in some cracks, but didn't get any good shots.

That's about it with herps. Here are some cool non herps:
Does anyone know what this is?
Thing by NicholasHess, on Flickr

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

White Spotted Sea Goddess (Doriopsilla albopunctata) by NicholasHess, on Flickr

That's a wrap, I hope you enjoyed this late post. Stay tuned as so far February has been pretty kind to me.

Nicholas

[Chad M. Lane]

Good work! Love the Ensatinas!




Cheers,
Chad

[Jeremy Wright]

Beautiful shots Nicholas! Looking forward to getting out more this spring and finding some awesome herps!
-Jeremy

[yoloherper]

Great shots Nicholas!
Your "thing" is a jelly fungus commonly called witch's butter. Edible, but apparently not great.
-Elliot

[Nicholas]

Thanks Chad and Jeremy, I appreciate your comments . Elliot, thanks a lot for the info, I had a feeling someone on here could tell me what it is.
Nicholas

[Calfirecap]

Awesome macro work Nicholas. I wish I had even half your talent!

[LouB747]

Good stuff!

[mark buck]

That shot with the transparent Ensatina is really cool.

Well done!

[Fire Drake]

By the looks of that last one, you're a SCUBA diver, no?

[Nicholas]

That nudibranch was actually taken in a tidepool. However I do freedive.

[Fire Drake]

Very cool. I know a few avid underwater photographers that would be very jealous to know you got that shot dry. Soooo much less work. Many of your shots are really great. How are you on reproduction? Do you sell copies? I think there are a couple I might want to print and frame for my office...especially the banded geckos. What are your terms?

[Porter]

Field Herping Medallion of Artistic Quality by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr


The vibe and tone of this medallion in unmistakably captured in this rendition of the original Zelda theme performed by one of my favorite guitarist. You should hear this music in your head and feel this vibe anytime anyone receives this California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation medallion of appreciation. Herp on brothers and sisters