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